Why Honey helps...
When a person takes something sweet, reflex salivation occurs, along with mucus secretion in the airway.
This moistens a dry throat, leading to a cough suppressant
effect. And even if there is mucus (a moist cough), any mucus in the throat is loosened up, and it becomes
easier for a productive cough to expel phlegm. Thus,
sweeteners might treat both dry and moist coughs. But it doesn’t stop there. Sweet tasting
substances stimulate and secretion of opioids (the natural feel good neurotransmiters),
which have a cough suppressant effect.
Dextromethorphan vs. Honey
Recently, a study comparing DM to honey was performed.1 The parents of 105 children ages 2 to 18 who presented in an acute-care facility with upper-respiratory infections consented to participate in the study. The inclusion criteria limited subjects to those with a basic upper-respiratory infection presenting with a cough accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms: fever, headache, sore throat, congestion and body aches. Children with asthma, allergies or a history of airway disease were excluded from the study.
The researchers assigned the patients to one of three groups: a DM group, a honey group and a no-treatment (NT) group. The two treatment groups received a single evening dose of either DM or honey before bedtime. Buckwheat honey was selected because it’s dark in color. Darker honeys have higher levels of phenolic compounds, which have antioxidant capability. Outcomes were based upon symptom survey scores filled out by the parents.
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Symptom Improvement Scores
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Honey
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DM
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NT
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Cough Frequency
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1.89
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1.35
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0.92
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Cough Severity
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1.80
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1.30
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1.11
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2nd Night Cough
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2.23
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1.94
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1.30
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Child’s Sleep
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2.49
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1.79
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1.57
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Parents’ Sleep
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2.31
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1.97
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1.51
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Total Score
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10.72
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8.35
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6.41
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Reference
- Paul IM, Beiler J, McMonagle A, et al. The effect of honey,
dextromethorphan, and no treatment on nocturnal cough and sleep quality for coughing
children and their parents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 2007;161(12):1140-6.
Natural honey cough remedies...
Honey lemon cough syrup recipe
Lemon helps promote health by quickly alkalinizing the body and
honey will kill any bacteria. This is a perfect "quick cure" remedy for a cough.
Ingredients
- Pound of honey
- One whole lemon, boiled in water for 2-3 minutes and left to cool
Cut the lemon into pieces and put in a pot with the honey.
Put the mixture on a low heat for one hour (do not boil as this
will destroy the healing properties of the mix).
Will last for 2-3 months in the refrigerator.
To soothe or cure a cough:
- Children 1tsp 4-6 times daily
- Adults 1 spoon 4-6 times daily
Anise seed cough syrup recipe
(Anise loosens phlegm)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of anise seed
- 1 pound of honey
Crush the anise seed and cover with 1 ½ cups of boiling water.
Boil on low for 30 minutes then strain and simmer remaining liquid down to 1 cup.
Then stir in 2 cups of honey and let cool.
Will last for 2-3 months in the refrigerator.
To soothe a cough and loosen phlegm:
- Children 1tsp 4-6 times daily
- Adults 1 spoon 4-6 times daily
Horehound cough syrup
Horehound stimulates bronchial secretions and loosens phlegm
Ingredients
- 1 ounce of dried horehound leaves
- ½ pint of water, brought to the boil
- 1 pound of honey
When the water is boiling turn off the heat, add the horehound and steep for 10 minutes
(this is horehound tea). Strain off the leaves and then mix in the honey.
The syrup will last for 2-3 months in the refrigerator.
To moisten a dry cough and loosen phlegm:
- Children 1tsp 4-6 times daily
- Adults 1 spoon 4-6 times daily
Reference
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Simple Recipes for Children’s Cough, Cold and Flu Syrups
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© Bruce Thomson, EasyVigour Project
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