“Honey?”Here!
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As a supplement
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
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A sweet substance made by bees from flower nectar, composed mostly of sugars along with small amounts of enzymes, pollen, and other plant-derived compounds.
Why it’s used
Taken by mouth, often stirred into tea or taken plain, to soothe a sore throat or ease coughing.
What the evidence is for
easing cough frequency and severity in children with upper respiratory infections.
What the evidence says
A Cochrane systematic review found honey may reduce cough frequency and severity in children with upper respiratory infections compared to no treatment. Evidence is strongest for short-term cough symptoms rather than any broader health claim, and honey should not be given to infants under one year due to a botulism risk unrelated to this evidence question.
Context
Trials generally use honey taken in small spoonful-sized amounts before bedtime for a few nights, in children old enough to safely consume it.
Rumors
Easing cough frequency and severity in children with upper respiratory infections.
Supports — suggestivehealth and safety evidence
Studied in: children aged 12 months to 18 years with acute cough in ambulatory settings.
Measured as an outcome.
- Honey for acute cough in children (Peer-reviewed) · Funding not checked