Honey can help coughing in children over one years old

A new study published in Pediatrics journal has found that giving children a teaspoon of honey before they go to bed can relieve the symptoms of a cough and help them to have a better sleep.

Honey can help childhood coughing

by Louise-Anne Geddes, Mindful Mum, 6th August 2012

EDITORS NOTE: Please be aware that honey should not be given to infants (babies under 12 months old). For more information on food that babies should avoid click here.

The study examined 300 Israeli children from the ages of one to five who were suffering from upper respiratory tract infections and nocturnal coughs from six general pediatric community clinics.  Eligible children received a single dose of 10 g of eucalyptus honey, citrus honey, labiatae honey, or placebo administered 30 minutes before bedtime. Main outcome measures were cough frequency; cough severity, bothersome nature of cough, and child and parent sleep quality.

Findings

The study found that in all three honey products and the placebo group, there was a significant improvement from the night before treatment to the night of treatment. However, the improvement was greater in the honey groups for all the main outcome measures.

Conclusions

The researchers found that:

“Parents rated the honey products higher than the silan date extract for symptomatic relief of their children’s nocturnal cough and sleep difficulty due to URI. Honey may be a preferable treatment for cough and sleep difficulty associated with childhood URI”.

Source:  Pediatrics Journal, Effect of Honey on Nocturnal Cough and Sleep Quality: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study, 6th August 2012

Photography: Vicky Brock @Flickr

Comments for 'Honey can help coughing in children over one years old'

  • Anya from Older Single Mum

    I think it’s wonderful medicine – I’ve heard it’s a natural antibacteria as well as a natural contraceptive! I used a specially made cap impregnated with it for a few years! Now there’s another article….

    • http://twitter.com/AliMcHugh_uk Alison McHugh

      Hi Anya!
      Honey is wonderful. We’ve always been told that eating honey from your local area can help with hayfever too! Natures medicine. Never heard of the cap – going to investigate ;-)
      Ali

  • http://www.mindfulmum.co.uk/ Mindful Mum

    Thank you to Sarah Turner who suggested on Facebook we make it clear that honey is only for children over one because not everyone reads the full blog post. We’ve updated the post. For a full list of foods to avoid in babies first year (which includes honey) click here.
    Thanks Sarah!

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