Some people may be surprised if a healthcare provider recommends honey for relief of a cough related to an upper respiratory infection (URI). Honey may be just what the doctor should order for a cough…with evidence-based reasons for this natural cough suppressant.
Should a Cough be Treated?
Many people with respiratory infections, such as the common cold or the flu, are looking for cough relief, especially at night. Suppressing a cough is not always the safest practice because cough is one of the body’s natural defenses against germs in the lungs, but a cough at night can be particularly bothersome because it can disrupt sleep. Despite the popularity of OTC cough suppressants, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Chest Physicians do not recommend the use of dextromethorphan (usually seen as “DM” on OTC cough medicine labels) due to potential serious side effects, but they are beginning to see honey as a potential safe treatment for cough.
According to a 2007 American Medical Association double-blinded randomized study entitled “Effect of Honey, Dextromethorphan, and No Treatment on Nocturnal Cough and Sleep Quality for Coughing Children and Their Parents,” by Ian M. Paul et al, honey may be more effective than DM in children between the ages of two and 18 when given 30 minutes before bedtime. The study followed 105 children (ages two to 18) with cough at night due to an upper respiratory infection (URI) and found the following:
- Honey treatment consistently scored higher than no treatment and treatment with DM.
- Treatment with DM was no better than no treatment in this study.
Honey could be taken with a non-caffeinated beverage. Honey dosage for this study included:
- one half teaspoon for children aged two to five
- one teaspoon for children six to 11
- two teaspoons for those aged 12-18
The World Health Organization (WHO) also lists honey as a potential treatment for young children (not infants) with upper respiratory infections.
Honey May Naturally Suppress Cough
Honey tends to be cost effective, with a lower price than many over-the-counter (OTC) cough remedies. Some studies have documented that honey may fight bacteria and may have antioxidant effects. This study used buckwheat honey, which tends to be darker and may contain larger amounts of phenolic compounds. Honey may have a soothing effect on the throat, which may lessen a cough. The sweetness of honey may increase saliva production, which could serve as an expectorant for a productive cough.
Ingesting honey can have serious risks, including:
- infantile botulism in babies less than one year (honey is not recommended for infants less than one year old)
- a rare syndrome producing symptoms such as increased saliva production, vomiting, numbness and tingling, lowered blood pressure, and heart rate changes
No participants in this study who took honey experienced serious side effects. The most common side effects experienced by the group receiving honey included:
- hyperactivity
- nervousness
- insomnia
OTC Cough Medicine (DM) May be Ineffective With a Potential for Serious Risks
This study’s results showed that DM was no more effective than the placebo (no treatment) at treating cough. Some subjects in the placebo group and the DM group reported an improvement in symptoms, and this might be due to the natural course of an upper respiratory infection. If the child had the cough for several days before care was sought, the URI may have been improving on its own.
Many OTC cough medicines have numerous bothersome and sometimes serious side effects, including allergic reactions, involuntary muscle contractions, hallucinations, diabetes, and even death, to name a few. Many multi-symptom cold remedies that contain DM also contain fever reducers such as acetaminophen. The recommended dosage of acetaminophen can be exceeded if a medication such as Tylenol is given in addition to cough suppressants with fever reducers, and a growing number of people are using DM as a recreational drug.
Limitations of the Study on Cough Treatment
The study was limited to children aged two to 18, so further study of adult populations may provide information regarding honey’s potential usefulness in treating cough in adults. It excluded children with other respiratory problems, such as asthma, and limited the study group to children who had not received treatment with DM within the previous day. This study only studied the effects of honey on nocturnal cough (at night), so it did not have data regarding dosing for daytime cough or frequency of dosing. The treatments were administered by caregivers at home in the evenings, so this study depended on self-reports of study drug administration as well as subjective reports of symptoms.
Is Honey the Best Treatment for Cough?
Giving honey for a cough related to an upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold or influenza, may be a safer and less expensive treatment option in children between the ages of two to 18 than using an OTC cough suppressant such as DM. Honey may also provide cough relief for adults, but that age group was not included in this study. Children less than one year should not take honey.
Because cough may be a sign of some serious chronic illnesses and other infections and because suppressing a cough might not be the best course of action in all cases, people should consult their healthcare professional before administering honey for cough suppression.
Readers may also be interested in reading the following articles:
- Honey Nutrition Facts – Is Honey Healthy?
- Tips for Caring for Someone With H1N1 Flu
- How to Prevent a Sinus Infection
- Asthma Symptoms and Triggers in Seniors
- Avoid a Power Struggle with a Sick Child
- Safe Use of Drug Prescriptions and OTC Meds
Information in this article is for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Readers are welcome to post feedback, comments, and personal experiences with honey as a cough suppressant in the box below.
Katrena Wells - Katrena Wells is a RN in NC with 17 1/2 years of experience in oncology, an educator since 1995, and has taught exercise classes since ...
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