How effective is honey compared to over-the-counter cough medicines

How effective is honey compared to over-the-counter cough medicines

Honey has emerged as a highly effective natural remedy for coughs and upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), often outperforming over-the-counter (OTC)

 Effectiveness Against Cough Symptoms

Research indicates that honey is superior to usual care and some OTC medications in relieving cough symptoms:

- Honey significantly reduced cough frequency in eight studies.

- Five studies showed honey decreased cough severity.

- Three studies found honey improved overall symptom scores.

Compared to dextromethorphan, a common OTC cough suppressant, honey was found to be equally effective or superior in multiple studies

 Superiority to Other Treatments

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies revealed that honey was more effective than usual care for improving URTI symptoms, particularly cough Specifically:

- Honey reduced combined symptom scores more than usual care.

- It was superior in decreasing cough frequency and severity.

In a study involving 300 children, honey outperformed a placebo in relieving nighttime coughs and improving sleep quality

 Mechanism and Additional Benefits

Honey's effectiveness is attributed to its:

- Antimicrobial properties

- Antioxidant effects

- Ability to increase cytokine release, potentially enhancing immune response

Furthermore, honey is widely available, cost-effective, and carries a lower risk of side effects compared to many OTC medications.

 Considerations

While honey shows promising results, it's important to note that:

- The quality of evidence varies across studies.

- Different types of honey may have varying levels of effectiveness.

- Honey should not be given to infants under 12 months due to the risk of botulism

 Given its effectiveness and safety profile, honey is increasingly recommended as a first-line treatment for coughs and URTIs, potentially reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions and combating antimicrobial resistance.

Citations:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/respiratory-tract-infection/

https://patient.info/news-and-features/coughs-colds-and-sore-throats-is-honey-better-than-over-the-counter-treatments

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200820/Honey-a-better-cough-remedy-than-over-the-counter-medicines.aspx