It's the Flu Season! Honey is Sweeter for Cough
Update
By Carol A. Kemper, MD, FACP, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Stanford University, Division of Infectious Diseases; Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Section Editor, Updates; Section Editor, HIV, is Associate Editor for Infectious Disease Alert.
Dr. Kemper reports no financial relationships relevant to this field of study.
Synopsis: A statistically significant improvement in symptoms was observed in the treatment groups, with the honey-child group scoring the best, and the no treatment group doing the most poorly.
Source: Warren MD, et al. The effect of honey on nocturnal cough and sleep quality for children and their parents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007; 16:1149-1153.
Folk remedies for various medical conditions are commonly used throughout the world, many of which probably have a biological basis for their efficacy not recognized by "Western" doctors. There is evidence that tea, lemon, lime, garlic, onion, and honey all have antimicrobial activity against certain respiratory viruses and bacterial pathogens. These authors performed a randomized, open-label study of honey vs honey-flavored dextromethorphan in 105 children, ages 2 to 18 years, with upper respiratory infection. The children were randomized to receive one dose of honey or one dose of dextromethorphan administered 30 minutes before bedime, or no treatment. Parents were asked to complete a symptom questionnaire for the night before when no medication had been given, and the next night when treatment/no treatment was given. Frequency and severity of cough, and child and parent sleep quality, was assessed.
The victory for honey was, well, sweet. A statistically significant improvement in symptoms was observed in the treatment groups, with the honey-child group scoring the best, and the no treatment group doing the most poorly. Parents also slept much better in the honey-child group. In paired comparisons, honey was superior to no treatment at decreasing cough when comparing a combined symptom score, although there was no apparent difference between honey and dextromethorphan.
Folk remedies for various medical conditions are commonly used throughout the world, many of which probably have a biological basis for their efficacy not recognized by "Western" doctors.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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