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Honey: A Sweet Nighttime Cough Remedy
< Dec. 05, 2007 > -- Put away the cough medicines - a simple home remedy may work better.
A new study by a Penn State College of Medicine research team found that honey may offer parents an effective and safe alternative to over-the- counter (OTC) children's cough medicines.
Researchers discovered that giving a small dose of buckwheat honey before bedtime not only improved cough symptoms, but also helped children sleep better than no treatment or using dextromethorphan (DM).
Dextromethorphan is an ingredient used in many over-the-counter cough and cold medicines.
These findings are particularly helpful given that a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory board recently recommended that OTC cough and cold medicines not be given to children less than six years old because of their lack of effectiveness and potential side effects.
"With honey, parents now have a safe and effective alternative to use for children over age one who have cough and cold symptoms," Dr. Ian Paul says. Dr. Paul is the lead researcher for the study, who published the findings in the journal Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.
Honey is not given in children younger than age one, because of the rare risk of infantile botulism. Dr. Paul also notes that cough medicines that may claim to contain honey often just contain artificial honey flavor.
In the study, the researchers enrolled 105 children between the ages of two and 18 at a single university-affiliated physician practice site.
On the first night of the study, children received no treatment. Parents answered five questions about their child’s cough and sleep quality as well as about their own sleep quality.
The second night, children received either honey, artificial honey-flavored DM, or no treatment about 30 minutes prior to going to bed. Parents answered the same five questions the next morning.
The randomized study was partially double-blinded. Medical staff did not know what treatment each participating family received when given their sealed syringe-containing envelope. Parents of children who received honey or artificial honey-flavored DM in a measured syringe did not know if the substance in the syringe was honey or not.
Parents of children in the no-treatment group received an empty syringe, and therefore were aware of their child’s treatment group.
Parents rated honey as significantly better than DM or no treatment for symptomatic relief of their child’s nighttime cough and sleep difficulty. In a few cases, parents did report mild side effects with the honey treatment, such as hyperactivity.
"Our study adds to the growing literature questioning the use of DM in children, but it also offers a legitimate and safe alternative for physicians and parents,” says Dr. Paul. "Additional studies should certainly be considered, but we hope that medical professionals will consider the positive potential of honey as a treatment given the lack of proven efficacy, expense, and potential for adverse effects associated with the use of DM."
Potentially dangerous effects of DM in young children include dystonic reactions (abnormal muscle tone of one or more muscles), severe involuntary muscle contractions, and spasms. Also, DM is commonly used as a drug of abuse by adolescents.
Cough is the reason stated for nearly three percent of all outpatient visits in the US, more than any other symptom. It is often bothersome at night because it disrupts sleep. Consumers spend billions of dollars each year on OTC cough and cold medications in spite of little scientific evidence that these drugs provide significant relief.
Always consult your physician or your child's physician for more information.
(Our Organization is not responsible for the content of Internet sites.)
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Lung Association
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine - Effect of Honey, Dextromethorphan, and No Treatment on Nocturnal Cough and Sleep Quality for Coughing Children and Their Parents
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) |
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Most children will develop at least six to ten colds a year. This number increases for children who attend daycare.
Colds may occur less frequently after the age of 6.
Adolescents get colds about two to four times a year.
When is the "cold" season?
Children are most likely to have colds during fall and winter, starting in late August or early September until March or April. The increased incidence of colds during the cold season may be attributed to the fact that more children are indoors and close to each other. In addition, many cold viruses thrive in low humidity, making the nasal passages drier and more vulnerable to infection.
What causes the common cold?
There are many different types of viruses that cause the common cold. In fact, over 200 different varieties of viruses can cause the symptoms of a cold. The most common virus is called the rhinovirus. After the virus enters your child's body, it causes a reaction - the body's immune system begins to react to the foreign virus. This, in turn, causes:
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an increase in mucus production (a runny nose).
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swelling of the lining of the nose (making it hard to breath and congestion).
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sneezing (from the irritation in the nose).
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cough (from the increased mucus dripping down the throat).
Treatment for the common cold:
It is important to remember that there is no cure for the common cold and that antibiotics will not help treat a common cold.
Medications are used to help relieve the symptoms, but will not make your cold go away any faster. Therefore, treatment is based on helping the symptoms and supportive care.
Specific treatment for your child will be determined by:
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your child's age
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overall health, and medical history
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extent of the disease
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your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
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expectations for the course of the disease
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your opinion or preference
Treatment may include the following:
To help relieve the congestion and obstruction in the nose for younger children, consider the following:
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Saline nose drops may be used.
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Use a bulb syringe to help remove the mucus.
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Place a cool mist humidifier in the room.
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Analgesics, such as acetaminophen, are sometimes helpful in decreasing the discomfort of colds.
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Do not give aspirin to a child who has fever without first contacting the child's physician.
Always consult your physician for more information.
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