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By Jane Harrison, R.D., Staff Nutritionist
A spoonful of sugar may make the medicine go down, but a new study suggests honey is even better.
With the recalls of pediatric cough medicines, parents are looking for alternative treatments for themselves and their children this winter. A small study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine suggests that honey may be a sweet solution.
The clinical study involved 105 children, ages 2 to 18, with upper respiratory infections. The treatment goal was to relieve the cough, as well as any nighttime awakening due to coughing. The effect of honey was compared to a common over-the-counter cough suppressant (dextromethorphan) or no treatment at all.
Kids who were 2 to 5 years of age were given a half teaspoon of dark buckwheat honey before bedtime. Children 6 to 11 took a full teaspoon. Older kids received two teaspoons. Of the three treatment groups, honey was the most effective for soothing coughs and promoting better sleep in children. An added bonus was that the parents slept better, too.
It is not clear how honey helps. One leading theory is that it soothes the throat and stimulates saliva, which calms the coughing reflex.
One warning: Never give honey to infants younger than 12 months of age. Honey can contain botulism spores that can be deadly to infants. However, it is safe for children 12 months of age or older.
A centuries-old remedy
Honey has been used since ancient times to treat many ailments. In addition to its use as a cough suppressant, honey has these benefits:
- It is a source of antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E. The darker the honey, the more nutrients it has.
- It contains extra minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, iron and phosphate.
Bring on the bees
Honey's flavor has to do with the type of nectar gathered by each bee from various flowers. Flavors can range from mild to spicy. Experts agree that darker honey, such as buckwheat, packs the most nutritional punch.
Honey is a low-cost, easily digested, safe alternative to cough medicine. And you can keep it almost indefinitely. Store it in a cool location away from direct sunlight in a tightly covered container.
So, the next time you or your child has a sore throat or cough, reach into your kitchen cabinet, not the medicine cabinet. A hot cup of tea and a teaspoon or so of honey may just do the trick.
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This article was reviewed and updated
08-01-2009.
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