Try Honey For Kids' Coughs, Study Says

Maybe Grandma Was Right: New Study Says Honey At Bedtime Can Calm A Child's Cough

(WebMD)  A little bit of honey, taken before bedtime, may ease coughing in children.

Pennsylvania State University researchers reported that news based on 130 children with coughs.

On average, the kids were 5 years old (age range: 2 to 18) and had had a cough from colds for about four days.

When the kids saw a doctor about their cough, the parents rated the severity of the kids' cough symptoms, including frequency of coughing and effects on sleep.

Ian Paul, MD, and colleagues sent the parents home with one of three treatments:

A dose of dextromethorphan, a drug used in many over-the-counter cough suppressants

A dose of buckwheat honey

No treatment

The parents gave the children their assigned treatment half an hour before bedtime. The next morning, the parents again rated their children's symptoms.

Honey ranked highest, followed by dextromethorphan, and the placebo was in last place in terms of cough relief.

A closer look at the data shows that honey trumped no treatment. But honey's slim lead over dextromethorphan may have been due to chance.

Honey's benefits may be due to its antioxidants and microbe-fighting effects, Paul's team notes. They add that dark honeys, such as buckwheat honey, tend to be rich in antioixdants and that further studies are needed to check their findings.

Few kids had side effects from the treatments, though mild hyperactivity, nervousness, and insomnia were reported in five kids in the honey group, two children in the over-the-counter medicine group, and none in the placebo group.

Children less than 12 months old should not be fed honey since it can cause botulism in infants.

The study, funded by the National Honey Board, appears in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

[barbaraf4]

"The study, funded by the National Honey Board, appears in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine."

This statement covers just about everything we need to know about this subject. Pity the pharmaceutical companies aren''t so forthright about the studies they sponsor.

THE MIRACLE OF HONEY
by Harun Yahya

Do you know how important a food source the honey
is, which Allah offers man by means of a tiny insect?
Honey is composed of sugars like glucose and fructose
and minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium
chlorine, sulphur, iron and phosphate. It contains vitamins
B1, B2, C, B6, B5 and B3 all of which change according
to the qualities of the nectar and pollen. Besides the
above, copper, iodine, and zinc exist in it in small quantities.
Several kinds of hormones are also present in it.
As Allah says in the Qur%u2019an, honey is a "healing for
men". This scientific fact was confirmed by scientists who
assembled during the World Apiculture Conference held
from 20-26 September 1993 in China. During the conference,
treatments with honey derivatives were discussed.
American scientists in particular said that honey, royal
jelly, pollen and propolis (bee resin) cure many diseases.
A Romanian doctor stated that he tried honey on cataract
patients, and 2002 out of his 2094 patients recovered completely.
Polish doctors also informed the conference that
bee resin helps to cure many diseases such as haemorrhoids,
skin problems, gynaecological diseases and many
other disorders.

visit www,harunyahya.com for the full text

[gregoryor-2009]

This is why we need better science education in America. The takeaway from this article is to use honey to treat your child''s cough. But there was no significant difference in the effects of honey and cough syrup, a "dose" of honey was not defined, and the effects were spread across children ages 2 to 18. Furthermore, there is no indication of effect magnitude in either the treatment or the side effects. How much more effective is cough syrup or honey over a placebo? For all we know, placebo kids had one extra cough per night. And how severe were the side effects on the 5 honey children? Were they up all night doing jumping jacks, or did they take an extra 5 minutes to doze off? None of the real information that parents need to make a medical decision are available in this article. I don''t know if the info is in the original article in APAM, but who cares? None of the people who might start using an unspecified amount of honey to yield an unspecified improvement in coughing with potential side effects of an unknown severity are going to read that article. They''re relying on WebMD and CBS News for their information, and the author of this "news" article clearly has no clue as to the important information to glean from scientific research, if this was indeed scientific research.

[zahle96]

Another great discovery! Except it''s what my father used to do for us as kids, and what I do for my kids. He learned it from his parents. But, instead of honey, dad used dark Karo syrup.

[gregoryor-2009]

This is why we need better science education in America. The takeaway from this article is to use honey to treat your child''s cough. But there was no significant difference in the effects of honey and cough syrup, a "dose" of honey was not defined, and the effects were spread across children ages 2 to 18. Furthermore, there is no indication of effect magnitude in either the treatment or the side effects. How much more effective is cough syrup or honey over a placebo? For all we know, placebo kids had one extra cough per night. And how severe were the side effects on the 5 honey children? Were they up all night doing jumping jacks, or did they take an extra 5 minutes to doze off? None of the real information that parents need to make a medical decision are available in this article. I don''t know if the info is in the original article in APAM, but who cares? None of the people who might start using an unspecified amount of honey to yield an unspecified improvement in coughing with potential side effects of an unknown severity are going to read that article. They''re relying on WebMD and CBS News for their information, and the author of this "news" article clearly has no clue as to the important information to glean from scientific research, if this was indeed scientific research.

[puzzler125]

Gregory that was a great analysis of the article. Thank you!

[gregoryor-2009]

This is why we need better science education in America. The takeaway from this article is to use honey to treat your child''s cough. But there was no significant difference in the effects of honey and cough syrup, a "dose" of honey was not defined, and the effects were spread across children ages 2 to 18. Furthermore, there is no indication of effect magnitude in either the treatment or the side effects. How much more effective is cough syrup or honey over a placebo? For all we know, placebo kids had one extra cough per night. And how severe were the side effects on the 5 honey children? Were they up all night doing jumping jacks, or did they take an extra 5 minutes to doze off? None of the real information that parents need to make a medical decision are available in this article. I don''t know if the info is in the original article in APAM, but who cares? None of the people who might start using an unspecified amount of honey to yield an unspecified improvement in coughing with potential side effects of an unknown severity are going to read that article. They''re relying on WebMD and CBS News for their information, and the author of this "news" article clearly has no clue as to the important information to glean from scientific research, if this was indeed scientific research.

[pwhited-2009]

So we''ll be re-inventing the wheel soon, I assume? People have used honey for throat ailments and coughs for longer than there''s been "cough medicine". All of a sudden it''s something new?

[kencp-2009]

Gregory, I agree with what you said but, in all fairness, the author did site the study, see foot note.
With a little more research, it is easy to see where the information for this article was derived and how valid it is. Going to the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine website, you can read all about the study and how it was conducted.

[cgirl75]

Please remember... Do Not give honey to a child under the age of 12 months! Educate yourself. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infant-botulism/HQ00854

[nopharmacy]

Here''s a "cocktail" given to me by an old school doctor many years ago:

8 oz of the very hot half-n-half (better if organic, without hormones and antibiotics.)

1 teaspoon of the pure cocoa butter (OK, this''s the only ingredient you can get from a pharmacy (;''-))

1 tablespoon of honey (better if raw buckwheat)

1 raw egg yolk (better if organic, no hormones and antibiotics)

and finally the last ingredient - FOR GROWN-UPS ONLY -

1 tablespoon of cognac/brandy.

Boil half-n-half. Add ingredients in the order they are listed above to dilute cocoa butter, to not overheat honey, and to prevent the yolk from curdling.

Adding cognac/brandy at the very end prevents the evaporation of alcohol, which is well known as an disinfectant.

It''s tasty - even without the last ingredient (;''-)) - and natural.

Enjoy!

[nopharmacy]

Here''s a "cocktail" given to me by an old school doctor many years ago:

8 oz of the very hot half-n-half (better if organic, without hormones and antibiotics.)

1 teaspoon of the pure cocoa butter (OK, this''s the only ingredient you can get from a pharmacy (;''-))

1 tablespoon of honey (better if raw buckwheat)

1 raw egg yolk (better if organic, no hormones and antibiotics)

and finally the last ingredient - FOR GROWN-UPS ONLY -

1 tablespoon of cognac/brandy.

Boil half-n-half. Add ingredients in the order they are listed above to dilute cocoa butter, to not overheat honey, and to prevent the yolk from curdling.

Adding cognac/brandy at the very end prevents the evaporation of alcohol, which is well known as an disinfectant.

It''s tasty - even without the last ingredient (;''-)) - and natural.

Enjoy!

[nopharmacy]

Here''s a "cocktail" given to me by an old school doctor many years ago:

8 oz of the very hot half-n-half (better if organic, without hormones and antibiotics.)

1 teaspoon of the pure cocoa butter (OK, this''s the only ingredient you can get from a pharmacy (;''-))

1 tablespoon of honey (better if raw buckwheat)

1 raw egg yolk (better if organic, no hormones and antibiotics)

and finally the last ingredient - FOR GROWN-UPS ONLY -

1 tablespoon of cognac/brandy.

Boil half-n-half. Add ingredients in the order they are listed above to dilute cocoa butter, to not overheat honey, and to prevent the yolk from curdling.

Adding cognac/brandy at the very end prevents the evaporation of alcohol, which is well known as an disinfectant.

It''s tasty - even without the last ingredient (;''-)) - and natural.

Enjoy!

[nopharmacy]

Here''s a "cocktail" given to me by an old school doctor many years ago:

8 oz of the very hot half-n-half (better if organic, without hormones and antibiotics.)

1 teaspoon of the pure cocoa butter (OK, this''s the only ingredient you can get from a pharmacy (;''-))

1 tablespoon of honey (better if raw buckwheat)

1 raw egg yolk (better if organic, no hormones and antibiotics)

and finally the last ingredient - FOR GROWN-UPS ONLY -

1 tablespoon of cognac/brandy.

Boil half-n-half. Add ingredients in the order they are listed above to dilute cocoa butter, to not overheat honey, and to prevent the yolk from curdling.

Adding cognac/brandy at the very end prevents the evaporation of alcohol, which is well known as an disinfectant.

It''s tasty - even without the last ingredient (;''-)) - and natural.

BTW, this recipe I got in the country, which is not connected to the National Honey Board.

Enjoy!

[nopharmacy]

Here''s a "cocktail" given to me by an old school doctor many years ago:

8 oz of the very hot half-n-half (better if organic, without hormones and antibiotics.)

1 teaspoon of the pure cocoa butter (OK, this''s the only ingredient you can get from a pharmacy (;''-))

1 tablespoon of honey (better if raw buckwheat)

1 raw egg yolk (better if organic, no hormones and antibiotics)

and finally the last ingredient - FOR GROWN-UPS ONLY -

1 tablespoon of cognac/brandy.

Boil half-n-half. Add ingredients in the order they are listed above to dilute cocoa butter, to not overheat honey, and to prevent the yolk from curdling.

Adding cognac/brandy at the very end prevents the evaporation of alcohol, which is well known as an disinfectant.

It''s tasty - even without the last ingredient (;''-)) - and natural.

BTW, this recipe I got in the country, which is not connected to the National Honey Board.

Enjoy!

[nopharmacy]

Here''s a "cocktail" given to me by an old school doctor many years ago:

8 oz of the very hot half-n-half (better if organic, without hormones and antibiotics.)

1 teaspoon of the pure cocoa butter (OK, this''s the only ingredient you can get from a pharmacy (;''-))

1 tablespoon of honey (better if raw buckwheat)

1 raw egg yolk (better if organic, no hormones and antibiotics)

and finally the last ingredient - FOR GROWN-UPS ONLY -

1 tablespoon of cognac/brandy.

Boil half-n-half. Add ingredients in the order they are listed above to dilute cocoa butter, to not overheat honey, and to prevent the yolk from curdling.

Adding cognac/brandy at the very end prevents the evaporation of alcohol, which is well known as an disinfectant.

It''s tasty - even without the last ingredient (;''-)) - and natural.

BTW, this recipe I got in the country, which is not connected to the National Honey Board.

Enjoy!

[nopharmacy]

Here''s a "cocktail" given to me by an old school doctor many years ago:

8 oz of the very hot half-n-half (better if organic, without hormones and antibiotics.)

1 teaspoon of the pure cocoa butter (OK, this''s the only ingredient you can get from a pharmacy (;''-))

1 tablespoon of honey (better if raw buckwheat)

1 raw egg yolk (better if organic, no hormones and antibiotics)

and finally the last ingredient - FOR GROWN-UPS ONLY -

1 tablespoon of cognac/brandy.

Boil half-n-half. Add ingredients in the order they are listed above to dilute cocoa butter, to not overheat honey, and to prevent the yolk from curdling.

Adding cognac/brandy at the very end prevents the evaporation of alcohol, which is well known as an disinfectant.

It''s tasty - even without the last ingredient (;''-)) - and natural.

BTW, this recipe I got in the country, which is not connected to the National Honey Board.

Enjoy!

[nopharmacy]

Here''s a "cocktail" given to me by an old school doctor many years ago:

8 oz of the very hot half-n-half (better if organic, without hormones and antibiotics.)

1 teaspoon of the pure cocoa butter (OK, this''s the only ingredient you can get from a pharmacy (;''-))

1 tablespoon of honey (better if raw buckwheat)

1 raw egg yolk (better if organic, no hormones and antibiotics)

and finally the last ingredient - FOR GROWN-UPS ONLY -

1 tablespoon of cognac/brandy.

Boil half-n-half. Add ingredients in the order they are listed above to dilute cocoa butter, to not overheat honey, and to prevent the yolk from curdling.

Adding cognac/brandy at the very end prevents the evaporation of alcohol, which is well known as an disinfectant.

It''s tasty - even without the last ingredient (;''-)) - and natural.

BTW, this recipe I got in the country, which is not connected to the National Honey Board.

Enjoy!

[nopharmacy]

Here''s a "cocktail" given to me by an old school doctor many years ago:

8 oz of the very hot half-n-half (better if organic, without hormones and antibiotics.)

1 teaspoon of the pure cocoa butter (OK, this''s the only ingredient you can get from a pharmacy (;''-))

1 tablespoon of honey (better if raw buckwheat)

1 raw egg yolk (better if organic, no hormones and antibiotics)

and finally the last ingredient - FOR GROWN-UPS ONLY -

1 tablespoon of cognac/brandy.

Boil half-n-half. Add ingredients in the order they are listed above to dilute cocoa butter, to not overheat honey, and to prevent the yolk from curdling.

Adding cognac/brandy at the very end prevents the evaporation of alcohol, which is well known as a disinfectant.

It''s tasty - even without the last ingredient (;''-)) - and natural.

BTW, this recipe I got in the country, which is not connected to the National Honey Board.

Enjoy!

[nopharmacy]

Here''s a "cocktail" given to me by an old school doctor many years ago:

8 oz of the very hot half-n-half (better if organic, without hormones and antibiotics.)

1 teaspoon of the pure cocoa butter (OK, this''s the only ingredient you can get from a pharmacy (;''-))

1 tablespoon of honey (better if raw buckwheat)

1 raw egg yolk (better if organic, no hormones and antibiotics)

and finally the last ingredient - FOR GROWN-UPS ONLY -

1 tablespoon of cognac/brandy.

Boil half-n-half. Add ingredients in the order they are listed above to dilute cocoa butter, to not overheat honey, and to prevent the yolk from curdling.

Adding cognac/brandy at the very end prevents the evaporation of alcohol, which is well known as a disinfectant.

It''s tasty - even without the last ingredient (;''-)) - and natural.

BTW, this recipe I got in the country, which is not connected to the National Honey Board.

Enjoy!

[nopharmacy]

Here''s a "cocktail" given to me by an old school doctor many years ago:

8 oz of the very hot half-n-half (better if organic, without hormones and antibiotics.)

1 teaspoon of the pure cocoa butter (OK, this''s the only ingredient you can get from a pharmacy (;''-))

1 tablespoon of honey (better if raw buckwheat)

1 raw egg yolk (better if organic, no hormones and antibiotics)

and finally the last ingredient - FOR GROWN-UPS ONLY -

1 tablespoon of cognac/brandy.

Boil half-n-half. Add ingredients in the order they are listed above to dilute cocoa butter, to not overheat honey, and to prevent the yolk from curdling.

Adding cognac/brandy at the very end prevents the evaporation of alcohol, which is well known as a disinfectant.

It''s tasty - even without the last ingredient (;''-)) - and natural.

BTW, this recipe I got in the country, which is not connected to the National Honey Board.

Enjoy!

[nopharmacy]

Here''s a "cocktail" given to me by an old school doctor many years ago:

8 oz of the very hot half-n-half (better if organic, without hormones and antibiotics.)

1 teaspoon of the pure cocoa butter (OK, this''s the only ingredient you can get from a pharmacy (;''-))

1 tablespoon of honey (better if raw buckwheat)

1 raw egg yolk (better if organic, no hormones and antibiotics)

and finally the last ingredient - FOR GROWN-UPS ONLY -

1 tablespoon of cognac/brandy.

Boil half-n-half. Add ingredients in the order they are listed above to dilute cocoa butter, to not overheat honey, and to prevent the yolk from curdling.

Adding cognac/brandy at the very end prevents the evaporation of alcohol, which is well known as a disinfectant.

It''s tasty - even without the last ingredient (;''-)) - and natural.

BTW, this recipe I got in the country, which is not connected to the National Honey Board.

Enjoy!

[nopharmacy]

Here''s a "cocktail" given to me by an old school doctor many years ago:

8 oz of the very hot half-n-half (better if organic, without hormones and antibiotics.)

1 teaspoon of the pure cocoa butter (OK, this''s the only ingredient you can get from a pharmacy (;''-))

1 tablespoon of honey (better if raw buckwheat)

1 raw egg yolk (better if organic, no hormones and antibiotics)

and finally the last ingredient - FOR GROWN-UPS ONLY -

1 tablespoon of cognac/brandy.

Boil half-n-half. Add ingredients in the order they are listed above to dilute cocoa butter, to not overheat honey, and to prevent the yolk from curdling.

Adding cognac/brandy at the very end prevents the evaporation of alcohol, which is well known as a disinfectant.

It''s tasty - even without the last ingredient (;''-)) - and natural.

BTW, this recipe I got in the country, which is not connected to the National Honey Board.

Enjoy!

[nopharmacy]

Here''s a "cocktail" given to me by an old school doctor many years ago:

8 oz of the very hot half-n-half (better if organic, without hormones and antibiotics.)

1 teaspoon of the pure cocoa butter (OK, this''s the only ingredient you can get from a pharmacy (;''-))

1 tablespoon of honey (better if raw buckwheat)

1 raw egg yolk (better if organic, no hormones and antibiotics)

and finally the last ingredient - FOR GROWN-UPS ONLY -

1 tablespoon of cognac/brandy.

Boil half-n-half. Add ingredients in the order they are listed above to dilute cocoa butter, to not overheat honey, and to prevent the yolk from curdling.

Adding cognac/brandy at the very end prevents the evaporation of alcohol, which is well known as a disinfectant.

It''s tasty - even without the last ingredient (;''-)) - and natural.

BTW, this recipe I got in the country, which is not connected to the National Honey Board.

Enjoy!

[nopharmacy]

Here''s a "cocktail" given to me by an old school doctor many years ago:

8 oz of the very hot half-n-half (better if organic, without hormones and antibiotics.)

1 teaspoon of the pure cocoa butter (OK, this''s the only ingredient you can get from a pharmacy (;''-))

1 tablespoon of honey (better if raw buckwheat)

1 raw egg yolk (better if organic, no hormones and antibiotics)

and finally the last ingredient - FOR GROWN-UPS ONLY -

1 tablespoon of cognac/brandy.

Boil half-n-half. Add ingredients in the order they are listed above to dilute cocoa butter, to not overheat honey, and to prevent the yolk from curdling.

Adding cognac/brandy at the very end prevents the evaporation of alcohol, which is well known as a disinfectant.

It''s tasty - even without the last ingredient (;''-)) - and natural.

BTW, this recipe I got in the country, which is not connected to the National Honey Board.

Enjoy!

[nopharmacy]

Here''s a "cocktail" given to me by an old school doctor many years ago:

8 oz of the very hot half-n-half (better if organic, without hormones and antibiotics.)

1 teaspoon of the pure cocoa butter (OK, this''s the only ingredient you can get from a pharmacy (;''-))

1 tablespoon of honey (better if raw buckwheat)

1 raw egg yolk (better if organic, no hormones and antibiotics)

and finally the last ingredient - FOR GROWN-UPS ONLY -

1 tablespoon of cognac/brandy.

Boil half-n-half. Add ingredients in the order they are listed above to dilute cocoa butter, to not overheat honey, and to prevent the yolk from curdling.

Adding cognac/brandy at the very end prevents the evaporation of alcohol, which is well known as a disinfectant.

It''s tasty - even without the last ingredient (;''-)) - and natural.

BTW, this recipe I got in the country, which is not connected to the National Honey Board.

Enjoy!

[nopharmacy]

Here''s a "cocktail" given to me by an old school doctor many years ago:

8 oz of the very hot half-n-half (better if organic, without hormones and antibiotics.)

1 teaspoon of the pure cocoa butter (OK, this''s the only ingredient you can get from a pharmacy (;''-))

1 tablespoon of honey (better if raw buckwheat)

1 raw egg yolk (better if organic, no hormones and antibiotics)

and finally the last ingredient - FOR GROWN-UPS ONLY -

1 tablespoon of cognac/brandy.

Boil half-n-half. Add ingredients in the order they are listed above to dilute cocoa butter, to not overheat honey, and to prevent the yolk from curdling.

Adding cognac/brandy at the very end prevents the evaporation of alcohol, which is well known as a disinfectant.

It''s tasty - even without the last ingredient (;''-)) - and natural.

BTW, this recipe I got in the country, which is not connected to the National Honey Board.

Enjoy!

[hypnotoad72]

CBS should be sued by all the drug companies for pre-emptively depriving them of profits, as they offshore their manufacturing plants to "somewhere in Asia".

Sarcasm, yes, but if the concept becomes a reality within 10 years, don''t sue me... :)

[momandfamily]

Our first pediatrician, an older country doc, always prescribed this before any over-the-counter meds for the baby:
A cup of week tea with 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 scant tablespoon of lemon juice. Worked great and we still use it (even for we adults).

[rf35]

Finally, I understand the reason for Colony Collapse Disorder...the pharma companies are trying to get rid of the bees for damaging their profits!

[prairiefox1]

MORE INSANE ADVICE FROM THE WEB MD! WHY DO THEY PUBLISH THIS MISINFORMATION?
HONEY HAS A SMALL AMOUNT OF BOTULISM IN IT! THE NORMAL IMMUNE SYSTEM CAN HANDLE IT WITH NO TROUBLE!
BUT IN A YOUNG CHILD THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IS NOT FULLY DEVELOPED AND CAN KILL THE CHILD!

[prairiefox1]

HAVE A BIG SPOONFUL OF "BUG SPIT"!

[denn034]

This confirms my insistence that the common cold hasn''t been cured in other postings on other stories. In any event, honey would coat the throat and suppress coughs that''s for sure, there''s a difference between suppressing and curing though.

[cactusrosew3]

Didn''t i read somewhere NOT to give your child honey, under the age of two....... i think you should put a special notice in here.
Isn''t honey associated with Sudden Infant Death.......
You Need to let people know this if it is true.
thank you...........dee