Honey, more effective than cough syrup
December 14, 2007 – Honey would calm coughs and improve children’s sleep quality, says US study1. According to the researchers, this treatment would be more effective than a syrup containing dextromethorphan (DM).
The study involved 105 children aged 2 to 18 years who had an upper respiratory infection accompanied by a nocturnal cough. The first night the children received no treatment. Parents took a short questionnaire to qualify their children’s cough and sleep, as well as their own sleep.
On the second night, 30 minutes before bedtime, the children received either one dose2 of honey flavored syrup containing DM, either a dose of buckwheat honey or no treatment.
According to the observations of parents, honey is the best remedy for reducing the severity and frequency of cough. It would improve the quality of children’s sleep and, in turn, that of parents.
The sweet taste and syrupy texture of honey is said to be soothing to the throat, the researchers say. In addition, its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties are said to help speed up the healing process.
In light of these results, honey represents an effective and safe alternative to cough syrups for children sold in pharmacies and which are, according to several specialists, ineffective.
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1. Paul IM, Beiler J, сар. Effect of honey, dextromethorphan, and no treatment on nocturnal cough and sleep quality for coughing children and their parents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007 Dec;161(12):1140-6.
2. The doses administered respected the recommendations related to the product, ie ½c. (8,5 mg) for children 2 to 5 years old, 1 tsp. (17 mg) for children 6 to 11 years old and 2 tsp. (24 mg) for those 12 to 18 years old.