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Compresses and cough lozenges with honey
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025

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Honey compress is used to treat children and the elderly, as it is a gentle method that does not have side effects and does not create additional stress on the body. The degree of skin irritation is minimal.
To apply a compress, you must first wipe the skin with a cloth soaked in hot water. Then apply pre-heated honey to the skin. Usually, the compress is placed on the sternum, in case of a strong cough - on the sternum, and on the back. Honey can be applied directly to the skin, or to gauze (bandage). Polyethylene or cellophane should be placed on top, which will provide the necessary moisture, create a greenhouse effect. To retain heat and absorb excess moisture, a cloth is placed on top. It is wrapped on top with warm material, which will warm and will not let in the cold.
The compress is usually applied at night. After it is applied, you should immediately go to bed, covered with a warm blanket. You can drink a glass of hot tea with honey. In the morning, the compress is removed, the skin is wiped with a cloth soaked in hot water, and wiped dry. Then dry heat is applied.
Cabbage and honey compress for cough
A compress of cabbage and honey quickly relieves cough. It can be used by both adults and children. There are two ways to apply such a compress. In the first case, the cabbage is finely chopped, mixed with honey and applied to the skin in this way. Then dry heat should be applied.
There is another way: boil the cabbage, then put it in a colander. The water drains, squeeze out the remaining water. Mix the cabbage with honey. Squeeze again so that there is no excess liquid. Wrap in gauze or bandage, apply to the chest. The compress should be hot, but should not burn. Dry heat is applied on top. It is better to put such a compress on at night. Remove the compress in the morning, wipe the skin dry, apply dry heat.
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Honey cake for cough
If you have a severe cough and inflammation, you can apply honey cakes. They are applied mainly to the front surface of the body. In severe cases - to the back. You need to keep it on for at least 2 hours, so it is better to put the cakes on at night. To prepare, you need to take honey, wheat flour and vegetable oil in approximately equal proportions. You need to mix all the ingredients until you get a homogeneous mass, put it on gauze and apply it to the body, to the sternum area. Cover it with cellophane or a warm cloth on top. You can drink a cough remedy and go to bed.
Honey cakes are used mainly by children and the elderly, as this is a more gentle method. It does not cause excessive irritation to the skin. At the same time, it has a sufficient warming effect. The active substances penetrate deep into the skin, stimulating the receptors. The patient does not feel discomfort or burning. The risk of developing an allergic reaction and hyperemia is reduced to a minimum.
Cooking recipe
To prepare the cake, take 200-300 grams of flour, add honey. Look at the consistency. It should be a homogeneous mass, which will be neither thick nor liquid. Knead the cake and apply to the chest before bedtime. Such cakes should be applied only at night, before bedtime. If they shift, then they should be bandaged, secured in the chest area. Cakes have a diaphoretic effect, so you need to cover yourself as warmly as possible and try to fall asleep. Well, it is also not recommended to walk a lot in the morning. In the morning on an empty stomach, you need to drink hot milk with honey, put a new cake and sleep for a few more hours. When treating with honey, especially if it is applied in the form of cakes, it is important to stay in bed.
Read also about compresses for bronchitis in this article.
Honey and mustard cake for cough
In case of severe bronchitis, cough, flat cakes are used. They are applied to the patient's body like mustard plasters. In case of a normal cough, they are applied to the front surface (sternum). In case of a severe, long-lasting cough and inability to cough up, flat cakes are used on both the front and back surfaces (on the back).
The patient's condition is significantly improved by the penetration of active substances. They penetrate deep into the skin, and the effect is achieved due to the warming and stimulating effect. It is important not to place the cake on the heart area.
To prepare the cake, take vegetable oil, flour, copper mustard in approximately equal proportions, mix thoroughly until a homogeneous mass is formed. The best option is to take one tablespoon of each component. It is better to take dry mustard. After the formation of a homogeneous mass, roll out the cake, put it on gauze or bandage and apply to the chest. Cover the cake with polyethylene, keep it for 2-3 hours, then remove it, wash off the remains with warm water. After this, wrap the person in a warm blanket. It is necessary to sleep for at least 2-3 hours. Ideally, put the cake on at night, then go to bed immediately.