Starve A Cold, Honey A Cough

A new study shows that a teaspoon of honey before bed can calm a child's cough and help the child sleep better. That remedy did better than cough medicine and also did better than no treatment at all in the study. Experts say honey may work by coating and soothing an irritated throat. This news comes amid recently federal health advisories warning that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines shouldn't be used in children younger than six, and manufacturers are taking some products for babies off the market. Keep in mind, though, that although honey might be great for most kids, it should never be used in children under one year old because of a rare but serious risk of botulism. The research appears in the archives of Pediatrics And Adolescent Medicine.