|
|||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||
news & reviews |
|||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||
A Spoonful of Honey is Good Medicine for Coughs
 A study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine this month found that a teaspoon of honey taken before bed is a safe alternative to over-the-counter cough medicine. In fact, the results showed that honey performed even better than dextromethorphan (DM), a cough suppressant found in many cough medications.
The researchers compared the effects of a dose of buckwheat honey, dextromethorphan, or no treatment on cough and sleep difficulty from upper respiratory tract infections in 105 children. The results were rated by parents who gave honey the highest consist scores for symptom relief. Honey has been used as a remedy for cough and upper respiratory infections in many cultures. Though it is not yet understood why honey is beneficial, it soothes the throat, contains antioxidants, has antimicrobial effects, and certainly tastes better than most cough syrups. Reference: Paul, I., Beiler, J., McMonagle, A., Shaffer, M., Duda, L., & Berlin, C. (2007) “Effect of Honey, Dextromethorphan, and No Treatment on Nocturnal Cough and Sleep Quality for Coughing Children and Their Parents,” Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 161. |
  |
||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
