Honey and cinnamon have been used since ancient times to support human health and wellness. Honey has a rich history dating back to ancient Greek, Roman, Vedic and Egyptian texts, while cinnamon has been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic folk medicine for over 2,000 years.
We know that, individually, both cinnamon and honey possess powerful therapeutic properties. What about when you use them together? If one is good by itself, does that mean that the two combined can be even more beneficial?
Read More: How to Identify Original & Pure Honey
How Honey and Cinnamon Work Together
Honey and cinnamon both possess powerful antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This is why they’ve been used in ancient medicine to relieve a slew of health conditions.
The reasons these two superfoods create such a powerful effect on the body vary but generally center on their ability to control inflammation, combat free radicals and boost immune function.
Top 8 Benefits of Honey and Cinnamon
Use Honey and Cinnamon to Fight Allergies
A perfect example of how cinnamon can help with allergies can be seen in a study that evaluated its ability to control the powerful allergen house mites. This allergen has become a global problem, and according to researchers from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, at least 45 percent of young people with asthma are allergic to house dust mites! Researchers from Egypt tested the effect that various essential oils had in killing the highly allergic house mite and found that cinnamon was the most potent agent. This is due to cinnamon’s component cinnamaldehyde.
Honey also serves as a natural therapeutic agent for fighting allergies. Ingesting just a teaspoon of local raw honey every day can boost your immune system and fight allergies by helping build a tolerance to local pollen. The International Archives of Allergy and Immunology published an article that tested this theory and discovered that preseasonal use of birch pollen honey helped people with birch pollen allergies by lowering total symptoms by 60 percent. Those treated with honey experienced twice as many asymptomatic days, had 70 percent fewer days with severe symptoms and used 50 percent less antihistamines compared to the group that took conventional medications for allergies.
Improve Diabetes Symptoms with Honey and Cinnamon
Research published in the journal Nutrition Research suggests that up to 1,500 milligrams of cinnamon supplementation benefits the lipid profile, liver enzymes, insulin resistance and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in diabetics and people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients.
According to a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, honey has been observed to cause a lower elevation of plasma glucose levels in diabetics compared to dextrose and sucrose. Some suggest that the insulin-boosting power of cinnamon can counteract this glucose elevation in honey, which would make your honey and cinnamon mixture a low glycemic index food.
Fight Acne and Skin Infections under Honey and Cinnamon shield
Because of the combination’s antimicrobial capacity, cinnamon oil mixed with honey is used all over the world to treat skin conditions, such as acne and skin infections. Researchers from Iran even discovered that the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of honey are actually more potent in treating wounds and burns and result in less skin infections than conventional medicine.
A 2017 study published in Phytotherapy Research found that cinnamon essential oil significantly inhibited the production of several inflammatory biomarkers that are involved in skin inflammation and tissue remodeling. It works as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that can help to soothe some skin conditions and improve the immune response.
Relieve Common Cold and Other Respiratory Issues
In a study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine, cinnamon essential oil was found to be highly effective in slowing the growth of a number of bacteria and fungi. The study showed that cinnamon oil inhibits the growth of E. coli, candida and staph aureus — all microorganisms that can cause a number of diseases, including the common cold.
Research shows that honey is better than no treatment in reducing the frequency of cough and may even be more effective than diphenhydramine, an antihistamine. Plus, honey is loaded with protective antioxidants that help fight respiratory conditions and many other health issues.
Regularly combining cinnamon’s antimicrobial properties with immune-boosting raw honey boosts the body’s immunity and ability to fight off respiratory infections like the common cold. If you happen to get some kind of respiratory condition, consuming cinnamon and honey may help shorten your recovery time.
Honey and Cinnamon can Fight UTIs
Cinnamomum zeylanicum works as a powerful antibacterial agent, and research shows that it effectively inhibits the growth of Gram-negative bacteria like E. coli, the main cause of urinary tract infections. A lab study conducted in Algeria found that when honey was tested against 11 multi-drug-resistant bacterial strains that were isolated from urinary tract infections of pregnant women, it exhibited potent antibacterial activity.
Ingesting a combination of cinnamon powder and honey not only helps destroy the bacteria within the urinary tract, but it may also inhibit the growth of germs living in the bladder, thereby working as a potential preventative measure against bladder infections.
Soothe Digestive Issues by Honey and Cinnamon
Honey and cinnamon have become quite popular in managing digestive issues, such as constipation, nausea and ulcers. This makes sense, as these superfoods have been used as natural remedies for digestive ailments by our ancestors. Because honey is predigested nectar, it is easy for the body to break it down, which can soothe an aggravated system.
Cinnamon has antimicrobial characteristics, which has helped countless people with bacterial overload in their digestive system. This is especially true for people suffering from an E. coli infection, like a UTI.
Boost Energy with Honey and Cinnamon Juice
Chinese folk medicine has used cinnamon to promote healthy energy flow for centuries, and because of its insulin-boosting property, cinnamon has been known to give people energy as it stabilizes your blood sugar and improves insulin action in the brain.
Honey is packed with micronutrients and antioxidants that help to boost energy levels, fight inflammation and reduce signs of aging. When you take a teaspoon mixture of the two, you get a low-glycemic boost to help fuel your body, whether you just need a pick-me-up or you’re trying to get through a workout.
Honey and Cinnamon can Treat Gingivitis
The past few years, several studies have come out showing that Manuka honey can help treat gingivitis and periodontal disease. Due to its superior antimicrobial properties, researchers from the School of Dentistry at the University of Otago in New Zealand discovered that chewing or sucking on a Manuka honey product not only caused a 35 percent decrease in plaque, but it led to a 35 percent reduction in bleeding sites in people suffering from gingivitis.
When combined with the powerful antimicrobial cinnamon, regular use of the amazing mixture can do wonders to your choppers. Honey and cinnamon benefits are proving to be a winning combination when it comes to dental health.
How to Use Honey and Cinnamon Together
One of the easiest ways to use honey and cinnamon to boost your health is to simply combine a half teaspoon of powdered cinnamon with a teaspoon of organic raw honey and ingest the mixture once daily. You can add this combination to warm water or use it to make an energizing and immune-boosting drink. This secret detox drink, for example, is also made with cinnamon and honey, along with other detoxifying ingredients like apple cider vinegar, cayenne pepper and lemon juice.
Of course, there are many other ways to use cinnamon and honey in your cooking. They can be added to your smoothie, used to make herbal tea and added to your homemade baked goods. This delicious gluten-free coffee cake is made with both cinnamon and honey.
You can also apply cinnamon (or one to two drops of cinnamon oil) and honey to your skin to fight acne and skin infections. Simply create a paste by combining the two ingredients. Then apply it onto the area of concern before bed so it can sit for several hours. However, before using honey and cinnamon topically, do a patch test to make sure that your skin won’t have any adverse reactions.
Precautions/Side Effects
Cinnamon and honey are safe for internal and topical use, but like all foods, some people may react adversely. If you experience skin irritation, stomach pain, sweating, diarrhea or nausea after using cinnamon or honey, stop taking them right away.
If you use cinnamon essential oil, remember that a small amount (one to two drops) goes a long way. Perform a patch test on your skin before using it topically, and if you experience a burning sensation, avoid it.
Children under 12 months of age should never consume honey because it’s a potential source of botulism spores, a type of bacteria that can be toxic to babies.
If you plan to use honey and cinnamon as part of your daily health regime and you already take medications, talk to your doctor about possible interactions.
source: draxe