Honey for Cough

It works, but it was associated with hyperactivity and insomnia.

The ineffectiveness and adverse effects of over-the-counter (OTC) preparations for coughs and colds in young children have been highly publicized (Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Sep 12 2007 and Feb 14 2007). Is honey a safe and effective alternative? In a double-blind trial, researchers randomized 105 children (age range, 2–18 years) with coughs attributable to upper respiratory tract infections to receive single bedtime doses of buckwheat honey, honey-flavored dextromethorphan (DM), or placebo. Parents completed symptom questionnaires the night before and the night after treatment.

Virtually all outcomes significantly favored the buckwheat-honey group. For example, parents in the honey group reported a mean 1.9-point impro…

Reviewing Author

Howard Bauchner, MD

Disclosures

Grant / research supportHuman Resources and Services Administration; NIH; NIH-NHLBI; USDA; GlaxoSmithKline

Editorial boardsArchives of Disease in Childhood (Editor-in-Chief)

Howard Bauchner, MD

Disclosures

Grant / research supportHuman Resources and Services Administration; NIH; NIH-NHLBI; USDA; GlaxoSmithKline

Editorial boardsArchives of Disease in Childhood (Editor-in-Chief)

Honey for Cough

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Reviewing Author