Is honey better than antibiotics for cough and cold?

Indian households are no stranger to the healing benefits of honey and now scientists seem to agree that it may be a better treatment for cough and cold than over-the-counter antibiotics.

Researchers from Oxford University and Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences have found that honey is more effective in relieving the symptoms of a common cold or flu-like illnesses than commercial remedies.

Publishing in the journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, the team said that honey is a 'widely available, effective and cheap alternative to antibiotics.' A total of 14 studies, nine of which only involved children were assessed for these findings.

More importantly, scientists stressed that while overusing antibiotics may cause more problems, honey is a great alternative with no side-effects.