Background
Honey has been used in medicine since ancient times. Limited reports are available to indicate its antibacterial, antiviral, and antidiarrheal properties. This study aimed to determine the effect of honey on acute diarrhea in children.
Methods
This randomized clinical trial included 80 children with acute diarrhea. Forty children received honey and zinc gluconate (trial group) and 40 received only zinc gluconate (control group). After treatment, vomiting/diarrhea duration, the recovery time, and the duration of hospitalization were compared between the groups.
Results
Among the 40 children in the trial group, 19 were male and 21 were female. In the control group, 25 children were male and 15 female (P=0.26). After initiating treatment, the duration of diarrhea, recovery time, and the duration of hospitalization was significantly shorter in the trial group than in the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion
This study showed that honey with zinc gluconate reduces the duration of diarrhea, accelerates the recovery time, and shortens the duration of hospitalization.

Citations

• Honey as a Natural Antimicrobial
  Matthew Chidozie Ogwu, Sylvester Chibueze Izah
  Antibiotics.2025; 14(3): 255.     CrossRef
• Antimicrobial Potential of Bee-Derived Products: Insights into Honey, Propolis and Bee Venom
  Agnieszka Grinn-Gofroń, Maciej Kołodziejczak, Rafał Hrynkiewicz, Filip Lewandowski, Dominika Bębnowska, Cezary Adamski, Paulina Niedźwiedzka-Rystwej
  Pathogens.2025; 14(8): 780.     CrossRef
• Honey in the Treatment of Diarrhoea from the Perspectives of Hadith science and Medical Science
  Yusuf Suiçmez, Recep Öztürk
  İlahiyat Tetkikleri Dergisi.2025; (64): 17.     CrossRef
• Guidelines for nutrition counseling in primary healthcare clinics
  Gyeongsil Lee, Seung-Won Oh
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2024; 67(4): 278.     CrossRef
• Evaluation of Anti-Diarrheal Activities of the 80% Methanol Extract and Solvent Fractions of Maesa lanceolata Forssk (Myrsinaceae) Leaves in Mice
  Alemayehu Megersa, Beyene Dereje, Meaza Adugna, Kefyalew Ayalew Getahun, Eshetie Birru
  Journal of Experimental Pharmacology.2023; Volume 15: 391.     CrossRef
• Application of Honey Therapy to Decrease Stool Frequency in Children with Diarrhea: A Case Study
  Nehemia Mutiara Saragih, Kurniawati Kurniawati, Nia Khusniyati, Fathul Jannah
  Journal of Health Sciences and Epidemiology.2023; 1(3): 93.     CrossRef
• Complementary Honey Therapy To Reduce The Frequency Of Diarrhea In Toddlers: Literature Review
  Uci Nurhayati Puspita, Abdul Muhith, Chilyatiz Zahro
  Journal of Applied Nursing and Health.2023; 5(2): 245.     CrossRef