Guwahati, March 31 -- Samuel J. White, Nottingham Trent University and Philippe B. Wilson, Nottingham Trent University

Honey has a long history as a revered natural remedy across many cultures. Ancient civilisations recognised its therapeutic potential, employing it for various medicinal purposes. The ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Chinese, Greeks and Romans, for instance, used it to heal wounds. And many cultures today continue to use it as a remedy for sore throats and coughs.

Some people also assert that honey can alleviate hay fever symptoms. Advocates of this method claim honey can help thanks to its purported anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties (though empirical evidence for this is lacking).

But what does science actua...