Honey relieves nighttime cough in children
Honey performs better than no treatment or placebo for cough symptoms in children over one year old, and about as well as common over-the-counter options.
AI review of the sources below, no human approval · Reviewed
This verdict was generated by AI from the papers listed on this page and published without human sign-off. AI can misread or miss studies — check the sources yourself. Not medical advice.
What the research says
Cochrane's review of 14 trials found honey probably reduces cough frequency and severity more than placebo or no treatment, and is likely similar to dextromethorphan. Certainty is limited by small trials and inconsistent outcome measures, but the intervention is cheap and low-risk in the right age group.
Caveats
- Never give honey to infants under 12 months — risk of infant botulism.
- Trials are small and mostly short-term.
Evidence
- Systematic reviewCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·2018
Honey for acute cough in children
Honey probably relieves cough symptoms more than placebo or no treatment.
Read the source
This page summarises published research for general information. It is not medical advice — talk to a clinician about your own situation.