The Effect of Honey on Nocturnal Cough and Sleep Quality

The Effect of Honey on Nocturnal Cough and Sleep Quality: a Double-blind, Randomized,Placebo-controlled Study

Cough is a common symptom in pediatric practice. It can be particularly troubling to children and their parents.It often results in discomfort to the child and loss of sleep to both the child and the parent. The objective of this trial was to compare the effects on nocturnal cough and the sleep difficulty associated with URIs of a single nocturnal dose of three different honey products compared to placebo

Cough is a common symptom in pediatric practice.As a result, children miss daycare or school and parents miss a day of work. In an attempt to threat cough, caregivers frequently administer OTC medication to their children,with their attendant risks, kack of proven efficacy and the disapproval of professional organizations such as the AAP and the FDA. The WHO has noted honey as a potential treatment for cough and cold symptoms. Honey has antioxidant properties and increases cytokine release. The objective of this trial was to compare the effects on nocturnal cough and the sleep difficulty associated with URIs of a single nocturnal dose of three different honey products compared to placebo

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1-5 years of age complying of nocturnal cough that was attributed to a URI.

Exclusion Criteria:

• asthma,
• pneumonia,
• laryngotracheobronchitis,
• sinusitis,
• allergic rhinitis,
• use of cough or cold medication on the night before entering the study.