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The College of Medicine at Pennsylvania State University (US) has proven that the age-old wisdom, honey is good for coughs, is indeed true. The study has discovered that honey works even better than over-the-counter cough medicines.

In this study, researcher team gathered 105 children with upper respiratory infections and their parents from hospitals in Pennsylvania, and conducted a comparative experiment with cough medicine and ordinary honey. The results yielded showed that all children's symptoms improved, but honey seemed to have the greatest effect in suppressing coughs. It was especially effective for itchy throats and it was reported that the children experienced better sleep.

Recently in the US, the health advisor warned that over-the-counter medicines for flu or coughs should not be given to children under 6 years of age, and so some children's medicines have already disappeared from the marketplace. Three pediatricians, who had read the article, which was published in the industry magazine, have stated that they would suggest trying honey rather than medicine in the future (however, giving honey to children under 1 is unadvisable due to the possibility of botulism).

Families who took part of the study have said, "what my grandmother used to say was right." No matter which country we are from, we shouldn't overlook the wisdom passed on from our ancestors.

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