Preparation details
- Prep time
- 4 min
- Yield
- 1 mug
- Serving
- Sip warm. Honey is not for children under 12 months.
- Duration
- Steep 7–10 minutes. Total time: about 12–15 minutes. Water: about 200°F / 93°C.
Honey–thyme infusion
A warm thyme infusion sweetened with honey.
Associated use
Where this preparation appears
This link provides navigation context. Evidence and health guidance belong to the ingredient-condition page.
Acute cough self-care guide →Sore throat self-care guide →About the ingredient
Thyme
A widely used culinary herb that also has a long history of use in cough-and-cold preparations.
See evidence, safety, and uses →Ingredients
- Dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon, or 2–3 fresh sprigs
- Honey
- 1 teaspoon
- Water
- 1 cup / 240 mL
Instructions
- Pour just-off-boil water over the thyme.
- Cover and steep for 7–10 minutes, then strain.
- Cool slightly and stir in honey.
Equipment: mug, strainer.
Safety information
Get medical help if never give honey to a child under 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism.
Get medical help if honey used here is an ordinary food ingredient.
Get medical help if do not use medicinal thyme if you are allergic to thyme or other plants in the Lamiaceae family.
Get medical help if stop medicinal thyme and seek advice if you develop an allergic reaction or troublesome stomach symptoms.
Get medical help if medicinal thyme use is not recommended during pregnancy because safety has not been established.
Get medical help if medicinal thyme use is not recommended while breastfeeding because safety has not been established.
Get medical help if thyme-herb age limits depend on the exact preparation.
Condition-specific cautions
Acute cough: Never give honey to a child under 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism.
Acute cough: Medicinal thyme products vary by preparation and age restrictions. Follow product directions and seek medical advice if symptoms worsen or last longer than about a week while using a medicinal thyme preparation.
Sore throat: Never give honey to a child under 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism.