It works, but it was associated with hyperactivity and insomnia.
The ineffectiveness and adverse effects of over-the-counter (OTC) preparations for coughs and colds in young children have been highly publicized (Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Sep 12 2007 and Feb 14 2007). Is honey a safe and effective alternative? In a double-blind trial, researchers randomized 105 children (age range, 2–18 years) with coughs attributable to upper respiratory tract infections to receive single bedtime doses of buckwheat honey, honey-flavored dextromethorphan (DM), or placebo. Parents completed symptom questionnaires the night before and the night after treatment.
Virtually all outcomes significantly favored the buckwheat-honey group. For example, parents in the honey group reported a mean 1.9-point improvement in cough frequency (reduction from 4.0 to 2.1 on a 6-point scale), compared with changes of 1.4 and 0.9 in the DM and placebo groups, respectively. Similar results were reported for cough severity and parent’s and children’s sleep. Mild side effects (e.g., hyperactivity, nervousness, insomnia) were significantly more common in the honey group than in the DM and placebo groups (5 patients vs. 2 and 0, respectively).
Comment: At first glance, these results might suggest "out with OTC preparations and in with honey" for cough. But not so quick! The percentage of children in the honey group who experienced mild side effects (14%) indicate that this practice would swap an ineffective medicine (DM) with a remedy associated with side effects that likely would concern most parents.
Published in Journal Watch General Medicine January 3, 2008
Paul IM et al. Effect of honey, dextromethorphan, and no treatment on nocturnal cough and sleep quality for coughing children and their parents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2007 Dec; 161:1140.