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.

(Agencies via Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2007)