| Most of us can attest to the fact, that having those | | | | ranged from one half teaspoon for children 2-5, one |
| old annoying cold symptoms of a stuffy head, sore | | | | teaspoon for 6-12 year olds, and 2 teaspoons for |
| throat, and that general run down feeling is almost | | | | 12-18 year olds. |
| bearable compared to the uncontrollable coughing | | | | Out of this group, 35 of the study group received |
| that often disrupts normal routines and prevents | | | | the honey treatment for coughing. The parents of |
| night time rest. An old natural folk remedy, however, | | | | these kids reported that coughing episodes were |
| has recently been rediscovered in helping to reduce | | | | relieved enough that the children slept better, than |
| your child's cough due to a cold, or an upper | | | | the group of children that were not given any |
| respiratory infection. | | | | treatment. In comparison with the group that |
| As you have probably heard recently, OTC (over the | | | | received OTC cough syrups, the children that used |
| counter) cough and cold syrups, for children under | | | | honey fared slightly better in the reduction of |
| the age of 2, have been voluntarily pulled from the | | | | symptoms. |
| market by the manufacturers of these products. | | | | Statistically, the differences may not have been that |
| Coincidentally, following a petition filed by concerned | | | | noticeable, but consider how rather small and |
| pediatricians and public health officials, who have been | | | | unpolished the study was. Obviously, the results were |
| questioning the effectiveness of these particular | | | | promising enough that more alternative studies, like |
| preparations for years, a FDA advisory panel also | | | | this one, should be done. |
| issued a warning statement to parents that these | | | | It is also important to help spread a note of caution, |
| OTC formulas should be avoided in children under 6. | | | | here, that giving honey to an infant is never |
| The serious health risks that may occur from using | | | | recommended. Children under the age of 1 pose an |
| these products comes from unintended overdoses, | | | | uncommon risk of developing infantile botulism. Honey |
| or accidental ingestion. The AAP (American Academy | | | | can, sometimes, contain a rare form of bacteria that |
| of Pediatrics) endorses the FDA warning in children | | | | an infants internal system is not capable of fighting |
| under age 2 because previous research studies have | | | | off, resulting in a paralytic illness that can lead to |
| already shown that these products are not only | | | | death. |
| ineffective, but youngsters simply react to drugs | | | | Paul's study also used 'buckwheat' honey, a notably |
| differently than adults. | | | | darker colored, a rather molasses like, or malty |
| As a concerned and loving parent, this is surely a | | | | tasting, type substance than the lighter colored, more |
| piece of important information that can help protect | | | | popular varieties. This type of honey was chosen for |
| against your child from having an unnecessary, | | | | it's known antimicrobial properties, and higher |
| adverse reaction to a drug, but it actually makes | | | | antioxidant, mineral content. In other medical studies |
| some good common sense too, does it not? Imagine | | | | this particular honey was also shown to help heal |
| the possible affects that any artificial chemical could | | | | wounds effectively. |
| have on a small body mass that weighs about one | | | | Buckwheat honey is thought to help calm a cough |
| quarter of an adults. | | | | because of it's natural sweetness, causing an |
| As a parent you may be franticly searching for a | | | | increase, and swallowing, of saliva produced in the |
| safer, more effective, alternative method in helping | | | | mouth, thus, keeping the throat more coated and |
| to reduce your child's cough the next time relief is | | | | protected. |
| needed. After all, a better nights sleep is what you | | | | Another, often overlooked, natural cough |
| want to be able to give your child, as well as one for | | | | expectorant is water. Remember to have your child |
| yourself, right? | | | | to drink plenty of water during the duration of an |
| Before opting to take the path of least resistance by | | | | upper respiratory tract infection, colds, or any other |
| shopping the shelves of the nearest pharmacy, | | | | type of temporary sickness. Water works rather |
| remember OTC cough syrup preparations only treat | | | | diligently at breaking down the excess mucus. Once |
| the symptoms and not the cause. They may make | | | | the cough becomes productive in the loosening of |
| some pretty tempting promises, but there are plenty | | | | phlegm (never try to suppress a phlegm type cough), |
| of other, more natural, alternative remedies that help | | | | the sufferer can begin to eliminate it, in time, from |
| relieve a cough while promoting the body's, own, | | | | the body. |
| natural ability to heal itself. | | | | As you will discover, upon investigating, there are |
| Well, at last, here comes some good news. And, | | | | many different ways a parent can safely offer, |
| while there will always be some naysayers and critics | | | | natural and alternative approaches to dealing with an |
| in any crowd, this study at least enlightened some | | | | irritating cough in a child. You will also be clearing your |
| people, to the fact, that a natural method can, | | | | conscious, and giving yourself a better nights sleep in |
| realistically, compete in reducing a common symptom | | | | the process. |
| of a cold. | | | | More natural tips on treating coughs, and other |
| Recently, a medical university study lead by Dr. Ian | | | | ailments, due to the common cold and upper |
| Paul, director of pediatric clinical research at 'Penn | | | | respiratory tract infections can be found by |
| State', further explored the effectiveness of an old | | | | objectively searching the internet. |
| folk remedy, honey, at reducing children's coughs due | | | | Coughing is the body's natural, defense mechanism in |
| to colds or an upper respiratory tract infection. | | | | being able to clear out air passages of irritating |
| Several years prior to his honey study, he was also | | | | excess mucous, other foreign secretions, or objects. |
| involved in a clinical study that proved that | | | | This is an important body healing process. A certain |
| over-the-counter cough medications were no more | | | | amount of this action is normal and to be expected, |
| effective at reducing a cough than a placebo. Out of | | | | and should not be prevented with artificial chemicals, |
| frustration, he was determined to find safer | | | | that at best, have been clearly shown to be |
| alternatives. | | | | ineffective. Another point to consider, is that |
| Paul's honey study selectively used 105 children, ages | | | | multi-symptom formulas are often mixed with a host |
| 2-16, with coughing symptoms that prevented sleep | | | | of other chemical ingredients in the sugary base that |
| due to upper respiratory tract infections. Doses | | | | you may, or may not, need. |