Whiskey has long been thought to help soothe coughs and sore throats. Many people swear by taking a shot of whiskey when they feel a cold coming on. But is there any scientific evidence that drinking whiskey actually helps relieve coughing? Here we’ll examine the potential benefits and risks of using whiskey as a cough treatment.
Quick Answers
– Whiskey contains alcohol and capsaicin which may help thin mucus and provide temporary relief from coughing.
– There is limited scientific research specifically on whiskey for coughs. Some studies show alcohol and capsaicin can reduce coughing.
– Drinking too much whiskey risks intoxication and interactions with medications. It should be used in moderation.
– Honey, tea, cough drops, and over-the-counter cough medicines are alternatives for cough relief.
How Might Whiskey Help Coughs?
When considering how whiskey might help coughs, there are two key ingredients to look at: alcohol and capsaicin.
Alcohol
Whiskey contains between 40-50% alcohol. Alcohol has some potential properties that may be beneficial for coughs:
- Thins mucus – Alcohol can help thin out thick mucus in the airways which makes coughs more productive.
- Relaxes throat muscles – Muscle relaxation from alcohol may reduce cough reflex sensitivity.
- Increases blood flow – Improved circulation from dilated blood vessels could help clear mucus.
- Numbing sensation – The numbness caused by alcohol may temporarily relieve sore throat pain.
A few studies have looked specifically at alcohol for cough relief, with mixed results:
- A 2006 study found vodka vapor inhalations reduced cough frequency compared to placebo in patients with upper respiratory infections.
- A 2018 study found alcohol extracts from some fruits helped reduce coughing in mice.
- But a 2021 review concluded there was insufficient evidence to recommend alcohol as an effective antitussive (cough suppressant).
Capsaicin
Many whiskies, especially bourbons, are aged in charred oak barrels. This aging process extracts capsaicin – the fiery compound in hot peppers – from the wood. Capsaicin has some effects that may help temporarily alleviate coughing:
- Desensitizes cough reflex – Capsaicin can reduce sensitivity from cough receptors in the throat.
- Clears mucus – It stimulates secretions that may help break up mucus.
- Analgesic properties – Capsaicin has mild pain-relieving abilities, including for sore throats.
A few studies suggest capsaicin may have benefits for coughs:
- A 2016 meta-analysis found capsaicin helped reduce frequency of coughing.
- A 2019 study showed improvement in cough symptoms when capsaicin was combined with standard treatments.
What Does The Research Say?
There is limited research specifically looking at whiskey itself for treating coughs. Here are a few relevant studies:
- A 2016 study gave healthy volunteers 2 shots of bourbon and measured the effects on their airways. Bourbon did not improve cough reflex sensitivity or mucus clearance.
- A 2020 study found whiskey stimulated airway secretions and helped expel mucus in excised pig tracheas.
- An older 1993 study found diluted bourbon reduced coughing frequency compared to placebo in healthy subjects exposed to capsaicin.
Overall, these studies provide some indication that whiskey may help with coughs through its alcohol and capsaicin content. However, the evidence is still considered insufficient by scientific standards to make firm conclusions about whiskey’s effectiveness as a cough treatment.
Potential Benefits of Whiskey for Cough
Based on the limited research available and anecdotal reports, here are some of the potential benefits whiskey may offer for cough relief:
- Thins mucus – The alcohol can help loosen thick mucus to make coughs more productive.
- Soothes sore throat – The numbing sensation of whiskey may temporarily relieve throat pain.
- Reduces coughing – The capsaicin may desensitize the cough reflex in the throat.
- Improves sleep – The sedative effects of alcohol can help suppress coughs and improve sleep.
- Stops cough spasms – Relaxed throat muscles may prevent coughing fits.
For some people, knocking back a shot of whiskey seems to provide noticeable temporary relief, especially in terms of mucus and throat soothing effects. However, the benefits are likely short-lived and proper medications will provide more consistent cough relief.
Risks and Precautions With Whiskey
While whiskey may potentially help coughs to some degree, there are also important risks and precautions to consider:
- Intoxication – Consuming too much whiskey can lead to alcohol poisoning, especially in children.
- Interactions – Alcohol interacts with many medications, making side effects more likely.
- Addiction – Those with alcoholism may be at higher risk of relapse from regular whiskey use.
- Safety issues – Impaired judgment under the influence increases the chances of accidents and injuries.
- Not a cure – Whiskey only provides temporary symptom relief and does not treat the underlying cause.
- Age restrictions – Whiskey should never be given to children under age 21.
For these reasons, moderation is extremely important if using whiskey for coughs. The risks likely outweigh any potential benefits for children, those on medication, people with substance abuse issues, and in cases of severe or chronic coughs.
Safer Alternative Cough Remedies
When used properly, whiskey may offer very modest short-term cough relief. But there are many safer, more effective remedies to consider first for coughs:
- Honey – Honey coats and soothes sore throats and has antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits.
- Tea – Hot tea provides comforting warmth and hydration to help thin mucus.
- Cough drops – Cough drops with menthol or anesthetics can temporarily suppress cough reflex.
- OTC cough medicine – Cough suppressants like dextromethorphan provide longer relief without major side effects or addiction risk.
- Prescription cough medicine – If OTC remedies don’t work, stronger prescription medications may be prescribed by a doctor.
For chronic coughs, identifying and treating the underlying cause is also important. This may involve seeing a doctor for a diagnosis and proper medical treatment.
The Bottom Line
Here is a summary of the key points on whether whiskey helps relieve coughing:
- Limited evidence suggests whiskey may thin mucus, soothe throats, and suppress coughs temporarily through its alcohol and capsaicin.
- But whiskey has not been well studied specifically for coughs and its effectiveness is uncertain.
- Drinking too much whiskey can be dangerous due to intoxication, medication interactions, and addiction risks.
- Honey, tea, cough drops, and OTC medicines are safer options that may provide equal or better cough relief.
- Whiskey should only be used in moderation and with extreme care and caution.
While some people find whiskey anecdotally helps their cough, it should not be considered a proven remedy. Safer and more effective alternatives exist. If coughs persist, see a doctor for professional diagnosis and treatment. Never rely on unproven home remedies alone for a serious medical condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is drinking whiskey good for a sore throat?
The alcohol and capsaicin in whiskey may provide some temporary numbing and pain relief for sore throats. But the effects are mild and short-lived. Safer sore throat remedies like throat lozenges, gargling saltwater, honey, and throat numbing sprays are more advisable.
Can whiskey help cure a cough?
No, whiskey does not cure coughs. It only provides modest short-term symptom relief in some cases. The underlying cause of the cough needs to be properly diagnosed and treated for a true cure.
Is whiskey an effective cough syrup?
No, whiskey should not be considered an effective or proven cough syrup. While it may thin mucus, the risks outweigh any potential benefits compared to proper over-the-counter cough medicines or prescription treatments recommended by doctors.
Can too much whiskey make a cough worse?
Yes, consuming large amounts of whiskey may irritate the throat and make coughs worse in the long run. The risks of intoxication and complications also increase with excessive whiskey consumption when sick.
Is bourbon or rye whiskey better for coughs?
There is no good research comparing bourbon to rye whiskey for coughs specifically. Most studies looked at bourbon, but any whiskey containing alcohol and capsaicin may offer similar temporary relief. The specific type likely does not significantly impact cough relief.
Comparisons of Whiskey to Other Remedies for Cough Relief
| Remedy | Effectiveness | Onset of Relief | Duration of Relief | Side Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whiskey | Limited evidence | 5-10 minutes | About 1-2 hours | Intoxication, interactions with medicines, addiction |
| Honey | Proven soothing effects | 5-10 minutes | 2-4 hours | Rare allergic reactions |
| Cough Drops | Clinically proven | 5-10 minutes | 1-2 hours | Rare side effects like throat irritation |
| OTC Cough Medicine | Clinically proven | 30-60 minutes | 4-8 hours | Drowsiness, upset stomach |
| Prescription Cough Medicine | Clinically proven | 30-60 minutes | 8-12 hours | Side effects depending on drug |
Whiskey for Coughs Through the Ages
Using whiskey and other alcoholic spirits for coughs has a very long history. Here is a brief timeline:
1200s
– Earliest origins of whiskey production in Ireland and Scotland.
1600s
– Whiskey gradually becomes popular around the world and is used as a traditional medicine.
1800s
– Whiskey is commonly mixed with herbs and honey as cough elixirs during a time when effective medicines were scarce.
Early 1900s
– Medicinal use of whiskey declines as modern science leads to understanding of illnesses and development of proper cough treatments and cough suppressants.
1940s-1950s
– Penicillin discovered, allowing treatment of bacterial coughs and pneumonia. Further reduces medicinal use of whiskey.
1960s
– Studies begin investigating the scientific basis behind medicinal use of whiskey for coughs.
2000s
– Research continues on compounds like alcohol and capsaicin for cough relief. But whiskey is no longer considered an effective medicine by doctors.
While whiskey and alcohol have a long history of use for coughs and colds, the advent of modern medical science has largely phased out this practice in favor of safer and more effective treatments.
Whiskey for Coughs in Different Cultures
Drinking whiskey for cough relief has been a traditional remedy in many cultures throughout the ages. But the practice has declined in most parts of the world today.
Scotland and Ireland
Whiskey originated in these countries so whiskey with herbs, honey, or lemon was historically used for coughs and sore throats. Its use has decreased but whiskey with hot water and honey is still an occasional cold remedy.
United States
Bourbon whiskey was a common cough elixir in the 1700-1800s mixed with herbs, citrus, honey, or hot water. Declined with rise of modern medicine but some older Americans still use it.
Japan
Whiskey highballs flavored with ginger, honey, and lemon are a traditional remedy continuing today. But generally used more for flavor than medicinal purposes.
India
Hot whiskey toddies infused with spices like ginger, clove, and black pepper are an Ayurvedic remedy for coughs. But honey, herbs, and steam inhalation are now more common.
Russia
Vodka, honey, and lemon drinks are a well-known cough remedy. But vodka is consumed more commonly for intoxication effects than any presumed medicinal benefits.
In most parts of the world today, whiskey is viewed as an enjoyable drink rather than a medicine. Safe OTC remedies are the first choice for relief of minor coughs and colds.
Key Takeaways
- Limited evidence suggests whiskey may provide modest temporary cough relief, but more research is needed.
- Safer alternatives like honey, cough drops, and OTC medicines are recommended first for coughs.
- Whiskey should only be used in moderation by adults when self-treating coughs due to risks.
- Seeing a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment is important if cough persists.
- Never rely solely on unproven home remedies like whiskey for treating medical conditions.