Manuka and other types of honey can quell coughs
Q: Manuka honey is very expensive, but I find it works well to control a cough. It is not as sweet as regular honey, but it is delicious. A tiny amount was sufficient to stop my coughing spell.
A: You might be interested to know that the U.K. National Health Service agency, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), has recommended honey for coughs due to upper respiratory infections such as colds. Ear, nose and throat doctors (otolaryngologists) also have recommended that honey can be used to treat coughs in children (Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, online, Dec. 2, 2018). Manuka honey is from New Zealand. It is rich in phenolic compounds that have antioxidant activity (Food Chemistry, Jan. 30, 2019). Another surprising cough remedy is chocolate. Some people have reported that dark chocolate may calm a cough. Research in guinea pigs shows that the cacao compound theobromine can suppress the cough reflex (FASEB Journal, February 2005). However, clinical studies in humans have not provided strong evidence of this effect (Journal of Thoracic Disease, July 2017; BMJ Open, Jan. 16, 2017). Still, neither chocolate nor honey should have frightening side effects in children older than 1 year, and both taste better than dextromethorphan, a standard ingredient in cough syrup.
Q: I went to urgent care for a bad sore throat last night and was diagnosed with strep. They very carefully noted my relationship status and birth control in my freshly created record. I was prescribed penicillin for 10 days. At no point was I told that the antibiotic might interact with my birth control. I wondered about that and started investigating.
I called my pharmacy, and a staff member asked the pharmacist on my behalf. I was told that it would interact and that my birth control would be ineffective. I asked for how long and was told until 24 hours after the last dose of antibiotics. I am concerned that I had to actively hunt for an answer and further concerned that I haven’t really found one. I know that if I skipped 10 days of the pill, it would not start working on day 11. Do antibiotics make it different?
A: Even though oral contraceptives have been used for decades, there is no consensus about whether antibiotics reduce their effectiveness (Reproductive Health, online, May 14, 2015). The authors of this review conclude: “Clinicians are encouraged to advise female patients on the use of additional measures of birth control during and up to one week after antibiotic therapy.” We have heard from women who became pregnant while taking an antibiotic with their OC. Consequently, we think it would be prudent to take precautions.
Q: I read about using castor oil for nail fungus in your newsletter. Since I’ve had toenail fungus for years despite trying lots of remedies, I started applying castor oil. I’m delighted to report that both nails are now clear of fungus and growing out healthy. Please let other readers know.
A: We are glad that castor oil worked for you. The reader who first shared this approach applied castor oil to his toenails after showering. It takes time to overcome toenail fungus because toenails grow slowly. Even prescription medicines require many months to produce results. There is some science to support the antifungal activity of castor oil (Food Chemistry, Oct. 15, 2012). Thyme oil also has antifungal activity (Journal of Oleo Science, Vol. 65, No. 8, 2016). In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Send questions to them via www .peoplespharmacy.com.