“When my father brought home a bottle of rum this winter, I was a little surprised because he doesn’t drink alcohol. When I asked him about it, he said it was to keep his cough under control,” Vansh, a 27-year-old Delhi-based businessman, tells India Today.

He further said, “This incident took me back to my childhood, because whenever I had a cough or cold my father would give me a spoonful of brandy at night during extreme cold.”

Vansh’s father isn’t the only one who believes a little rum or brandy can help cure a winter cough. In fact, it is a popular home remedy in India as well as in the West. Remember when Shahrukh Khan offered cognac (a kind of brand) to a trembling Kajol in the film ‘.The one who has heart will take the bride away.‘From Rishi Kapoor to Sridevi, everyone had done this’Moonlight,

The most common way to drink rum for coughs is to make a type of hot toddy (cocktail). Boil water with spices like cinnamon, cloves and star anise, add a little rum (30 ml) and sip slowly.

what do doctors say

It is believed that drinking rum or brandy provides relief from sore throat and stiffness caused by cold. Even though age-old remedies have been suggested, doctors do not recommend consuming any type of alcohol as a treatment.

Doctors say that drinking rum with hot water provides only symptomatic relief. The risks of consumption outweigh any benefits.

“It gives you a little warmth which provides symptomatic relief. It is not used to treat any viral infections like cold and cough. Using rum on a regular basis can lower immunity,” says Dr Atul Kakkar, chairperson, medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.

Dr. Mriganka Bohra, General Physician, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Jaipur, explains that the alcohol found in rum dilates the blood vessels, causing a feeling of warmth.

“This may have a mild numbing effect on a sore throat. When it is mixed with ingredients like honey, lemon or spices, it can provide some relaxing benefits. Still, these benefits are only superficial and do not provide a real cure,” says Dr. Bohra.

health effects

The effects of alcohol consumption even in small quantities are significant.

“Alcohol, including rum, puts a lot of stress on the liver, which is tasked with processing it. Even minimal intake can cause inflammation, especially in people who already have liver problems like fatty liver disease. Chronic use, even in harmless amounts for ‘medicinal purposes’, can cause liver damage over time,” Dr. Saad Anwar, Senior Consultant Gastro, Gastro Surgery, GI Onco Surgery and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery , Apollo Spectra Hospital, Kanpur.

Since alcohol can impair the immune system, it increases the risk of infection rather than providing protective benefits.

Health experts also highlight the greater risks of consuming alcohol to treat winter coughs and colds; It can disrupt sleep, irritate the stomach lining, and cause dehydration.

“These conditions can worsen cold symptoms. Alcohol can often interact negatively with medications used to treat colds, such as antihistamines or painkillers, resulting in adverse side effects,” says Dr. Bohra.

What to do instead?

In contrast, doctors say drinking herbal tea can provide similar relief.

Research also shows the same. In a study conducted in 2008, participants reported immediate relief from symptoms of cough, runny nose, and sneezing when they consumed a hot beverage.

“Relying on alcohol as a ‘solution’ to winter illnesses is not only ineffective, but can also lead to addiction and long-term health complications. Instead, prioritize proven treatments and seek guidance from a medical professional for ongoing symptoms,” suggests Dr Anwar.

Keep yourself hydrated, take proper rest, drink warm fluids and try steam inhales if you suffer from common cold or cough during winters, as doctors say these are much more effective than drinking rum or brandy.