Green | December 05, 2007 | 5 comments

Honey is better than children’s cough syrups for a silent night

source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article2994822.ece

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Natural honey is a more effective remedy for children’s coughs than over-the-counter medicines, researchers say. A dose of buckwheat honey before bedtime easily outperformed a cough suppressant in a US study.

Honey did a better job of reducing the severity and frequency of night-time coughs. It also improved sleep quality for children and their parents.

Dextromethorphan (DM), the active ingredient in many cough mixtures sold in chemists and supermarkets, had no significant impact on symptoms. Honey has been used in medicine for centuries, not only to treat coughs and bronchitis but also to assist the healing of wounds. For coughs it is often mixed with lemon, ginger or brandy.

Ian Paul, who led the researchers from Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania, said: “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.” DM can cause severe involuntary muscle contractions and spasms, the researchers said. Cases of teenagers using the drug to get “high” were also common, they said.
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5 comments // Honey is better than children’s cough syrups for a silent night

  • Ira_Gershwin
  • futurist
    • 0
      futurist  

    • The beneficial effects of honey have been known for years. I have memories from kindergarten (German curriculum) where the teacher would administer a spoon full of honey to children with coughs. I don't believe this is "new" information. BTW, Waldorf's got it right with regard to elementary education. Check it out.

    • 4 years ago
  • modi10
    • 0
      modi10  

    • what the f***! i've been messing my body up all this time with cough syrup whlie i could have been eating honey with better results? how can researchers just be figuring this out?!

    • 4 years ago
  • Tarapotamus
    • 0
      Tarapotamus  

    • I love honey! It's good to eat, good for health, good for hair and skin! It's a wonderful natural product! Although don't you feel a little evil about stealing the food for baby bees? Oh well! I feel good knowing no bees are harmed in the making of it! Also it stays good for ever! They found honey as far back as with ancient Egyptians. Amazing stuff!

    • 4 years ago
  • abbym0308
    • 0
      abbym0308  

    • In the words of our favourite nanny:
      Just a spoonful of sugar...

      now if only i could figure out how to snap my fingers and solve my problems!

    • 4 years ago
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