Honey is as effective as cough syrup for most people.
Although your individual results may vary but I find that for me when I'm out of cough syrup, the honey works just as good for the cough.
A study in 2014 also found that honey was more effective than the cough suppressant "dexthromethorphan" in reducing frequency of coughs and the severity, especially in children.
And a study in 2018 also found that honey is also comparable to dexthromethorphan in relieving cough in adults as well.
The amount of honey that you should take for a cough is 1 teaspoon of honey as needed.
The amount of honey that children over age 1 can take for cough is 0.5 to 1 teaspoon of honey.
Honey can be taken by itself for the cough or added to some warm tea or warm water.
Honey can also be taken or given at bedtime to soothe the throat and reduce coughing.
Although you should never give honey to a child under 1 year old as a result of the risk of botulism.
You can take more honey than recommended if you prefer as honey won't overdose you and make you sick or cause you harm like overdose of cough syrup can.