In the meantime, try soothing your throat with warm lemon water and honey and humidifying the air in your house.

CNN: Cold remedies: What works, what doesn't, what can't hurt

Some of the products sold as honey have been bulked up by sugar, water and corn syrup.

FORBES: Today's Mystery: Europe's Bees Disappear Yet Honey Increases

Because honey is composed of saturated sugars, it sucks up water, depriving bacteria of the liquid they need to survive and multiply.

ECONOMIST: Honey may help in the battle against superbugs