Cinnamon and Honey!

GUESS what? I used to know cinnamon way back during childhood. As a spice. Only for cakes. Isn’t it funny. That’s all most of us probably knew in relation to cinnamon. So seeing cinnamon anywhere else was unusual and totally absurd. Decades later, and exposed to knowledge, we are wiser but lesser in number. Had we known, maybe cinnamon would have saved more lives and we would still have our folk with us up to this day.

Cinnamon is a well known spice packed with powerful antioxidants, valuable medicinal properties, and the ability to improve blood sugar control, support heart health, and reduce inflammation. A colleague of mine , years back, shared a printed PowerPoint presentation showing the immense health benefits of cinnamon and honey. That combination convinced me to view cinnamon without honey as a waste of effort. This was life changing and still is, provided your honey is not just melted sugar posing as the real thing, so watch out !!!!.

The Magic of Honey & Cinnamon…………

Whilst most theories view the combination of honey and cinnamon as a myth, l had the privilege of experiencing the magic personally. My levels of energy were beyond imagination. I had to force myself to rest because l was unstoppable.

Honey combined with cinnamon…….

1. Reduces The Risk Of Heart Disease

How To Use: Take equal parts (or as required) of cinnamon & honey powder and make a paste. Spread this on wheat bread and include it in your breakfast.

2. Enhances Immunity

How To Use: Add a pinch of cinnamon powder to a glass of lukewarm honey water. Take it in the mornings, especially in the cold seasons. Drinking cinnamon and honey mixture will also help clear your sinuses.

3. Treats Skin Infections

How To Use: Mix 1 part cinnamon powder with 3 parts honey and use it as a face mask. It cleanses your pores. And for treating acne, this is what you can do. Take 3 tablespoons of Manuka honey and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon and make a paste. Microwave for 30 seconds (it shouldn’t be too hot, by the way) and apply the mask to your face. Leave it on for 10 minutes. Rinse and pat your face dry with a soft towel.

4. Helps Treat Inflammation And Arthritis

How To Use: Mix equal parts of cinnamon powder and honey and apply the mixture to the affected area. You can also add a little bit of apple cider vinegar for better results.

5. Is Good For Diabetes

How To Use: You can mix equal parts of honey and cinnamon powder till you get a paste. Spread this paste on your toast or mix it in your juice.

6. Helps Treat Bladder Infections

How To Use: Mix two teaspoons of cinnamon and one teaspoon of honey with a glass of warm water. Consume it once a day. This must help relieve the bladder infection. If the infection is too severe, you can substitute water with cranberry juice.

7. Helps Treat Indigestion And Other Gastric Issues

How To Use: Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon powder on two tablespoons of honey. Take this mixture before your meals.

8. Helps Lower Cholesterol

How To Use: Mix 2 tablespoons of honey and 3 teaspoons of cinnamon powder with around 470 ml of tea water. Take this mixture in the mornings.

9. Cinnamon And Honey For Weight Loss

How To Use: Take 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 cup of filtered water. Boil the water. Add the cinnamon in a separate bowl. Pour the hot water over the cinnamon, and let it steep for 15 minutes. Once the liquid cools down, add honey to it. You can drink this mixture twice a day – once in the morning, and once in the evening. Take it on an empty stomach.

10. Helps Treat Infertility

How To Use: Mix cinnamon with a small amount of honey to make a paste. Spread the paste over your gums – your body will slowly absorb it.

11. Maintains Hair Health

How To Use: Take equal parts of honey and cinnamon powder and mix with warm olive oil. Before shampooing, massage this warm mix into your hair and leave it on for 15 minutes. Shampoo your hair.

12. Helps Cure Bad Breath

How To Use: Mix one teaspoon of honey and a pinch of cinnamon powder with warm water. Gargle the mixture first thing in the morning.

13. Offers Energy Boost

How To Use: Mix equal parts of honey and cinnamon powder and have it in the morning with breakfast.

14. Prevents Allergies:

How To Use: One simple way is to mix equal parts of honey and cinnamon powder and consume it in the morning. If it’s a skin allergy, you can apply the same to the affected area.

15. Cures A Sore Throat

How To Use: Simply swallowing a teaspoon of honey in the morning can make your throat feel better.

16. Helps Treat Asthma

How To Use: Mix 1 teaspoon of honey with ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Have the mixture at night before going to bed and in the morning on an empty stomach. Repeat regularly.

If the cinnamon is causing problems, you can use a simple mixture of honey and water. Heat 250 ml of water and stir in 1 teaspoon of honey. Consume thrice a day

Ceylon versus Cassia cinnamon

Not all cinnamon is the same. Ceylon cinnamon, sometimes called “true cinnamon”, generally contains much lower levels of coumarin. Cassia cinnamon, which is commonly sold commercially, can contain substantially higher amounts of coumarin. Large or prolonged amounts may pose a concern, particularly for people with liver disease. For that reason, people who consume cinnamon regularly may wish to pay attention to the type they are buying and avoid consuming large quantities.

A note on diabetes

One of the most common claims surrounding cinnamon is that it can control or even cure diabetes. That claim should be treated with caution. Some studies have reported improvements in fasting blood glucose or certain cholesterol measures among people with type 2 diabetes who used cinnamon supplements. However, the studies vary considerably in dosage, preparation, duration and participants, and researchers have not reached a clear conclusion about cinnamon as a treatment. Cinnamon and honey should therefore never replace diabetes medication, prescribed treatment or professional medical advice.

The bottom line

Cinnamon and honey can both be part of a normal diet, and both have long histories of traditional use. But traditional use and personal experience are not the same as clinical evidence.

Enjoy cinnamon as a spice, use honey sensibly, and be cautious about claims that promise to cure serious illnesses naturally.

Natural does not automatically mean risk-free, and a product's popularity does not prove that it is medically effective.

Anyone with a persistent or serious health problem should consult a qualified healthcare professional before attempting to treat the condition with home remedies or dietary supplements.

About the author

Dr Precious Sibiya is described as a wellness practitioner and advocate for natural healing and lifestyle. She shares wellness information and personal perspectives on natural approaches to health.

Contact: precioussibiya2014@gmail.comPhone: +263 775 369 467

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Readers should consult a qualified healthcare professional about any medical condition, medication or dietary supplement. Individual experiences with foods, herbs and supplements may differ.

Cinnamon and honey