I may be the only kid who enjoyed getting a cold! My grandmother was a big believer in the healing benefits of honey for her grandchildren. I had “the preventive cure” after being exposed to sneezing, snotty cousins, followed by “the treatment cure” to help me ““ and the rest of the household ““ get a reprieve from my coughing once a cold settled in.
As it turns out, my grandmother was right on target about the healing benefits of honey!
The World Health Organization recognizes honey as a treatment for childhood cough related to upper respiratory infections in children older than one year. According to Archives of Pediatric Medicine (2007), “use of honey for treating coughs due to upper respiratory infections was found to be more effective than dextromethorphan.” The usual dose is two teaspoons and can be repeated as needed.
Why does honey help?
- Honey is full of antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, water, minerals (such as iron, calcium, phosphate, sodium, potassium and magnesium), glucose and fructose, and vitamins B, C, D and E. The physical properties of honey vary depending on where the honey was harvested.
- Honey is slightly acidic (between 3.2 and 4.5 pH) which helps prevent bacteria growth.
All of these help to soothe sore throats and reduce some of the “bugs” hanging out in the upper respiratory tract.
Chicken Noodle Soup”for real?
My grandmother was adamant that healing honey be accompanied by chicken noodle soup. Reports from the Mayo Clinic show the broth hydrates us, while the heat dilates blood vessels to allow our disease-fighting cells to move toxins out of the body.
Recommended serving
Offer chicken noodle soup as often as the child will eat it, and always serve accompanied by endearing words of love and a kiss on the forehead ““ to discreetly check for fever.
Additional pediatrician-recommended cold treatments include rest, cool mist humidifiers, nasal saline sprays/drops and fever-reducing medications.
Note: Honey should not be administered to children younger than one year of age due to risk of Infantile Botulism.
