Just a few notes on natural/home remedies…

1.  Natural or home remedies often have quite a bit of anecdotal evidence but no hard scientific fact…   

• Mostly because there is not much money in these remedies, so none of the companies want to  put funding into researching a product that won’t make them too much money.

2.  The FDA (the government agency that approves drugs) does not regulate natural remedies…

• So, the natural/home remedy does not need to prove that they actually work
• The herbs do not need to actually contain the amount of herb that the label states

3.  Natural/home remedies do have side effects!

• Vitamins and herbs are drugs too
• Oftentimes, they will have less side effects because they are not as potent as synthesized drugs

Here are some of the articles (in no particular order)… 

Neti Pot -Helpful or Harmful?

Benefits of Caffeine

Hoodia for Weight Loss

Natural Remedy for Heartburn

Vinegar for Diabetes Type 2

Hangover Remedies

Honey for Cough in Kids

Healthy Vegetarian

Home Remedies for Bug Bites and Stings

Magnets for Arthritis Pain

Leamonheads for Upset Stomach

Elderberry for the Flu

Treatment for Sebaceous Cyst

If you want to see them all, please see our Natural/Home Remedies Category.

We would love to hear about your natural/home remedies!

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The study had kids from 2 to 18 years old with upper respiratory tract infections and nighttime cough.  There were three branches in th study -no treatment, honey or dextromethorphan.  The parents then filled out a questionnaire about how the kids cough and sleep improved.

Granted, it was a small, subjective study but it found that honey worked better than dextromethorphan!  Only proving what moms have been saying for decades

Why does honey work?  The exact way how honey works is unclear.  There are a couple of theories.  Honey is a known antioxidant which may help cold symptoms.  The sweetness may also help.  Sweetness causes reflex salivation and secretion that can soothe the pharynx and larynx.  The sweetness may also work with the central nervous system to decrease the need to cough. 

How do I give it to my child? 

Kids under 12 months should not be given honey because of the risk of botulism. 

2-5 years old: 1/2 teaspoon 30 minutes before bedtime

6-11 years old: 1 teaspoon 30 minutes before bedtime

12-18 years old: 2 teaspoons 30 minutes before bedtime

The truth be told, dextromethorphan doesn’t work that well.  Next time I have a dry cough, I will most definitely be taking honey before bedtime -plus yum!

Please leave us a comment about your experience and home remedies!