Are you dealing with a troublesome cough? Whether you’re an adult with a nagging cough, or a concerned parent wanting to speed your child’s recovery, sometimes nature offers the easiest remedies. In this case, honey and pineapple might offer sweet solutions to an irritating problem.
Coughing can be a real nuisance, often caused by self-limiting viral infections of the airways. When other symptoms are present, like fever, shortness of breath or body aches, seeking prompt medical care is important.
Natural Remedies: Honey and Pineapple
For generations before we had the convenience of local pharmacies and prescription medications, the use of natural and herbal products for cough relief were the only help available.
The Healing Powers of Honey
Honey has a long history of being used as a natural remedy for coughs and upper respiratory tract infections. The World Health Organization recognizes honey as a potential treatment for cough in children, citing its numerous beneficial properties, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory.
Dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine are often used as antitussive agents. In one interesting study (1), in children with irritative nocturnal coughs, honey (2.5mL) administered before sleep, showed better results regarding symptom relief when compared with these two popular drugs.
Combining Pineapple Extract and Honey
Pineapple extract, rich in Bromelain- a group of enzymes found in pineapple plants, has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and mucolytic effects, helping to dissolve bronchial secretions, and decrease neutrophil migration to sites of inflammation.
In a double-blind, randomized study (2) involving two groups of children- aged between two and 15 years with irritative cough, the active group received a combination of Buckwheat honey and pineapple extract, rich in Bromelain as a syrup formulation, while the placebo group received only honey. (Before the randomization, patients with detectable bronchospasm were prescribed specific medications and considered ineligible for the study.)
The Results
The study found that both groups showed a reduction in coughing episodes and cough score 30 minutes after administration. The study suggests that honey alone may have a therapeutic effect on mucus and cough characteristics, and adding pineapple bromelin also is beneficial.
In conclusion, nature has bestowed us with the healing powers of honey and pineapple. These nutritious natural remedies offer a sweet way to help combat nagging coughs in both children and adults.
Note: The next time, you are fighting a cold or cough, remember to get plenty of rest, follow your doctor’s recommendations, eat chicken soup, breathe steam with sliced garlic and ginger, drink tea with lemon and honey, and take anti-viral nutritional supplements like OnGuard Immune Defense. MDR offers clinically proven and immune-active Maitake and Shiitake Mushrooms combined with Colostrum and Lo Han to help support your immune defenses so you can knock out what ails you, and get back to feeling good again!
References
