As we approach the end of winter, so does springtime cold and allergy season. If you have children who tend to get spring colds, this article is for you. Recent studies suggest that honey is a much more effective cough treatment than cough medicine in children. Surprised? Your grandmother wouldn’t be, and here’s why.
Cold medicines, lozenges and syrups
Cough syrups theoretically worked by suppressing the signals to and from the brain that cause coughing. This suppression is achieved through the administration of a variety of compounds including codeine and dextromethorphan, more commonly known as DM. However, while these two ingredients are used in most cough syrups on the market today, including those for children, until 2004 there was no scientific evidence to show that these compounds were effective in children. .
In 2004, a study was conducted that examined the effectiveness of cough syrup in calming coughs in children. The results were amazing. There did not appear to be any effects from these medicines in children under six years of age. In response to these findings, the FDA re-evaluated cough medicines and issued a ruling that children under the age of six should not receive cough syrups and also suggested that cough syrup companies stop marketing cough medicines. cough as a remedy suitable for children.
dangers of cough syrup
In addition to being ineffective in controlling coughs in children under the age of six, cough syrups also have a number of side effects that can be harmful to children. Cough syrups can cause drowsiness, hallucinations, hyperactivity, headaches, fast heart rate, vomiting, and in overdose cases, can also cause death. Now that you know what not to give your kids, we can move on to what will work.
Pass the honey, please
Honey has been a folk remedy since ancient times. This is because honey has a unique chemical composition that provides real healing properties. Firstly, honey is a natural antiseptic, and this, along with its thick consistency, allows honey to soothe and coat the throat and neutralize harmful bacteria that could infect the throat. These properties alone make honey a better choice for treating children’s coughs, but honey has more to offer. Dark honeys, such as buckwheat honey, have a high concentration of antioxidants that help the body prevent and repair cell damage. As you can see, honey will not only help your child feel better, it will also help them recover faster by preventing cell damage from coughing fits.
