Healthy Throat

Here are the syrups, lozenges and rubs for the throat and chest we carry at Borinquen Natural in Puerto Rico. There are two kinds and the box tells you which is which: dietary supplements, with a "Supplement Facts" panel, and over-the-counter medicines, mostly homeopathic, with a "Drug Facts" panel.

How to choose by the label

• Syrup, lozenge or rub. Syrup is measured with a spoon; a lozenge dissolves in the mouth and fits in your bag; a rub is for external use, on the chest.
• Honey. If it contains bee honey, the label says so: do not give it to babies under 12 months.
• Sugar. Check the sugars per serving on the panel. Bronkoplex has 13.5 g per tablespoon and Broncomax Plus has 10 g of added sugars per 15 ml serving. If you prefer no sugar, there are xylitol lozenges and capsules.
• Age. Each label says from what age it can be used. Bronkoplex gives dosing from 6 months; others give no dosing for children. If the label has no dose for your child's age, ask their pediatrician.
• Herbal or homeopathic. Herbal syrups list what they contain on the panel: agave, eucalyptus, elderberry, mullein, menthol, propolis… Boiron's homeopathic medicines list their active ingredients in "HPUS" dilutions.

Herbal supplements

These are supplements, not medicines: the label says what they contain.

• Bronkoplex by Dr. Norman's: agave honey syrup with eucalyptus, elderberry, propolis, menthol and mullein, 8 oz.
• Broncomax Plus by Professional Elite: agave and honey syrup with elderberry, mullein, eucalyptus, menthol, echinacea and propolis, 8 oz.
• Bronqui Stop by Irish Supplements: syrup with honey, menthol and eucalyptus, 16 oz.
• Mullein-X by Nature's Answer: mullein syrup with honey, 4 oz.
• Broncoplex by Dr. Norman's: elderberry, eucalyptus and pennyroyal capsules, without a syrup's sugar.
• Wedderspoon manuka honey drops, lemon or ginger.

Medicines with "Drug Facts"

These are over-the-counter medicines. For them, what counts is what the box says under "Uses", and we copy it word for word. For example, the box of Boiron's Chestal Adult Honey syrup says in Drug Facts, Uses: "temporarily relieves dry cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation as may occur with a cold · helps relieve chest congestion due to common colds by loosening mucus and thinning bronchial secretions to make coughs more productive". And below: "Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated."

This group also includes Boiron's other Chestal syrup, ThroatCalm, SinusCalm and Coldcalm tablets, and Ricola drops. Each one's use is on its product page and its box.

Frequently asked questions

Do you carry natural syrups in Puerto Rico?
Yes. Bronkoplex, Broncomax Plus, Bronqui Stop and Mullein-X are herbal syrups labeled as supplements. Bronkoplex is made for Dr. Norman's, a San Juan brand. Pick them up at our Galería Paseos store or order with free shipping in Puerto Rico from $35.

Do you have an agave or eucalyptus syrup?
Yes: Bronkoplex is an agave honey syrup with eucalyptus, and Broncomax Plus blends agave and honey with eucalyptus, elderberry and mullein. Bronqui Stop also contains eucalyptus and menthol.

Which one can I give a child?
The one whose label gives the dose for their age. Bronkoplex gives dosing from 6 months. Products with bee honey are not for babies under 12 months. If the label has no dose for their age, ask their pediatrician.

What is the difference between an herbal syrup and a homeopathic one?
An herbal syrup is a supplement and its box has a "Supplement Facts" panel with what it contains. A homeopathic syrup is an over-the-counter medicine and its box has a "Drug Facts" panel with its active ingredients and its use.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.