Coughs are the most common cause of doctor visits in the United States, accounting for about 3 percent of outpatient doctor visits, according to an article by the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). Wet and dry coughs are uncomfortable, painful and often disrupt sleep, making it harder for your body to heal. There are many over-the-counter cough remedies, but if you're looking for a natural cough remedy, you may want to consider honey.
The Facts
Honey may be just as effective as over-the-counter cold medicines when it comes to treating coughs, suggests a study conducted at the Penn State College of Medicine in 2007 and reported on the University of Rochester's weekly Healthcare in the News report. In the study, children who took a small amount of buckwheat honey saw more improvement in cough symptoms and were able to sleep better than children who took dextromethorphan, the active ingredient in many over-the-counter cough medications.
Benefits
Honey doesn't have the same risk of side effects that medications containing dextromethorphan do, according to the Penn State College of Medicine study. Children who take dextromethorphan may be at risk for serious side effects, including muscle spasms and contractions.
Considerations
Ian Paul, M.D., the lead researcher for the Penn State College of Medicine study---which appeared in 2007 in the journal "Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine" and is reported on the University of Rochester Medical Center website---says real honey provides benefits, but there are many honey-flavored products that don't contain real honey and don't provide the same benefits. It is important to be sure you're getting real honey if you're using it to treat a cough.
Expert Insight
To get the maximum cough soothing benefit from honey, Bonnie K. McMillen, R.N., a college health nurse at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, recommends using a recipe from Penny Royal's book "Herbally Yours." Royal's recipe combines 1 tbsp. of honey with 1 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp. of water, 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper and 1/4 tsp. ginger. McMillen recommends taking 3 tsp. before bed to treat a cough.
Warning
You should not give honey to children younger than 12 months. There's a slim but serious risk of infant botulism for young children who consume honey. If your cough persists for longer than a week and doesn't improve with treatment, it is best to call your health care provider.
Member Comments