A new study released Monday by a research team at Pennsylvania State University found that honey may offer parents an effective and safe alternative than over-the-counter children's cough medicines. (File Photo)

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- A new study released Monday by a research team at Pennsylvania State University found that honey may offer parents an effective and safe alternative than over-the-counter children's cough medicines.

    The study found that a small dose of buckwheat honey given before bedtime provided better relief of nighttime cough and sleep difficulty in children than no treatment or dextromethorphan (DM),a cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter cold medications.

    Honey did a better job reducing the severity, frequency and bothersome nature of nighttime cough from upper respiratory infection than DM or no treatment. Honey also showed a positive effect on the sleep quality of both the coughing child and the child's parents.

    In the contrast, DM was not significantly better at alleviating symptoms than no treatment, said the study.

    These findings are published in December's Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. The results are especially notable since an FDA advisory board recently recommended that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines not be given to children less than 6 years old because of their lack of effectiveness and potential for side effects.

    Honey has been used for centuries in some cultures to treat upper respiratory infection symptoms like cough, and is considered to be safe for children over 12 months old. Honey has well-established antioxidant and ant microbial effects. Honey also soothes on contact, which may help explain its effect on cough as suggested by the World Health Organization, said the study team.

    Cough is the reason for nearly three percent of all outpatient visits in the United States, more than any other symptom. It is particularly bothersome at night because it disrupts sleep. Consumers spend billions of dollars each year on OTC cough and cold medications despite little evidence that these drugs provide significant relief.

FDA: No cold, cough medicines for 2- to 5-year-old kids

    BEIJING, Oct. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel recommended Friday that popular over-the-counter cold and cough medicines shouldn't be used in 2- to 5-year-old children.

    The recommendation came after two days of meetings in which a FDA advisory panel scrutinized the safety and effectiveness of cold medicines for children. Full story

FDA: some cold, cough medicines harm very young kids

BEIJING, Oct.1 (Xinhuanet) -- U.S. Food and Drug Administration safety officials say some commonly used cold and cough medicines should not be taken by very young children and the "consult your physician" advice to parents on the labels should be dropped.

The preliminary FDA recommendation would apply to decongestant use in children under 2, and antihistamines in those younger than 6, according to agency documents released Friday. Full story