Honey and ginger is a traditional preparation: fresh or dried ginger steeped in hot water, left to cool, then sweetened with honey. It is widely drunk during cold season, for throat irritation and for nausea.
This page separates what is known from where the evidence stops. One warning up front: there is no clinical research on honey and ginger used together. The assessments below belong to each ingredient studied separately, and the mixture does not add their effects together.
What Is in the Mixture?
Ginger's effects are usually attributed to gingerols and shogaols; drying and heating shift the ratio between them. Honey is mostly fructose and glucose, carrying trace amounts of enzymes, organic acids and phenolic compounds. A cup of honey ginger tea provides roughly 30-40 kcal, almost all of it from the honey.
What the Evidence Says
Nausea — evidence: moderate (for ginger)
Relatively consistent studies suggest ginger can reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, and ACOG's guidance lists it among non-pharmacologic options. That finding belongs to ginger itself, and use during pregnancy should be discussed with a physician. There is no evidence for honey affecting nausea.
Cough and throat irritation — evidence: moderate (for honey)
Reviews report that honey may ease acute cough symptoms in children, and NICE's acute cough guidance lists honey among first-line options for children over one. The effect is largely explained by honey coating the throat and by warm liquid being soothing. This is not a treatment: if a cough lasts more than two weeks, or comes with fever or shortness of breath, see a physician.
Inflammation, heart and cholesterol claims — evidence: weak
Laboratory and small-scale studies on ginger report various biological effects, but these have not translated into measurable cardiovascular benefit from everyday consumption. Statements like "lowers cholesterol" or "prevents blood clots" stretch preliminary findings well past what they support, and cannot be attributed to a food.
Immunity — evidence: weak
No food has been shown to "boost" the immune system. Being part of a balanced diet is one thing; claiming a mixture raises immunity is another.
How to Prepare It
Steep a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger in a cup of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. Once it cools to a temperature you can comfortably hold, stir in a teaspoon of honey. Adding honey to boiling water damages some of its heat-sensitive compounds and sharpens the taste.
A slice of lemon is a common addition. One to two cups a day is typical for adults.
Who Should Be Careful
- Infants under one year: no honey-containing mixture (risk of infant botulism).
- People on blood thinners: ginger has been reported to affect clotting; the amount should be set with a physician.
- Pregnant women: even though ginger is used for nausea, amount and duration should be discussed with a physician.
- People with gallstones or reflux: ginger can aggravate symptoms.
- People with diabetes: the added honey counts toward carbohydrate intake.
Where Can You Buy Artvin Honey?
You can buy Artvin honey straight from the beekeeper, with no wholesaler in between. Browse the honey we take from our own hives and from the beekeepers we work with, in Artvin's villages and highlands at elevations of 1,200 meters (3,940 ft) and above, produced by the Caucasian honey bee, on our product pages; you can message us directly on WhatsApp about harvest timing, jar sizes and shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you prepare honey ginger?
Steep a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger in a cup of hot water for 5–10 minutes. Once the mixture has cooled to warm, add a dessert spoon of honey. Adding honey to boiling water breaks down its enzyme and aroma compounds.
How many times a day can honey ginger be drunk?
1–2 cups a day is common use for adults. Ginger in high amounts can cause heartburn. Those on blood thinners, pregnant women and those with gallstones should consult a doctor before consuming it.
Is honey ginger good for cough?
Honey's thick texture coats the throat and offers temporary relief from irritation, and the warm liquid is soothing too. This is not a cure; see a doctor if the cough lasts longer than two weeks or is accompanied by fever.
Who should not consume honey ginger?
Babies under one year old should not consume any mixture containing honey. Those on blood-thinning medication, those with gallstones, and pregnant women should determine the amount of ginger in consultation with their doctor.
Sources
- NICE, Cough (acute): antimicrobial prescribing (NG120) — nice.org.uk
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Honey for acute cough in children — cochranelibrary.com
- ACOG, Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy practice bulletin — acog.org
- NHS, guidance on honey and infant botulism in children under one — nhs.uk