If you have been suffering from coughs and colds, Cinnamon and Honey might be the answer. From a Chinese Medicine perspective, Cinnamon is heating and so helps to cure excess yin or coldness in your body. Honey, on the other hand, is neutral, being equally balanced between yin and yang. When used together Cinnamon and Honey are a powerful way to cure the common cold.

Cinnamon’s Medicinal Origins

Cinnamon has been used as a medicinal herb in China, India, Indonesia and Egypt for centuries, and more recently in Australia, the US and Europe. Cassia and Ceylon of Ceylon are the two most common types of Cinnamon. Cinnamon of Ceylon is superior in quality and has a slightly sweeter taste than Cassia. Both forms of Cinnamon have antibacterial and antiviral properties and these are what help rid your body of the bacteria and viruses that cause coughs, colds and flu.

Raw Honey with Cinnamon boosts your Immune System

Honey is also packed with antibacterial properties. Drinking warm water with Honey and Cinnamon cleanses your system of infection. If you drink it regularly, it will help to boost your immune system and decrease inflammation so that viruses and bacteria cannot take hold.

To stop a cold dead in its tracks

Mix 1 teaspoon of Raw Honey with 1/4 teaspoon of Cinnamon. Taken at the first sign of a tickle in your throat, it will usually stop a cold in its tracks (you should see symptoms disappear within 5 hours). If the infection has taken hold, however, don’t give up, persevere and take the Cinnamon Honey mixture at least twice a day, for at least 3 days and you should find that you recover much faster than you otherwise would. You can make up a batch and add it to hot drinks (not boiling, as the heat will negate the effect of the raw honey), which you can sip throughout the day.  Alternatively cut up some fruit and dip it into the mixture. Kids love it – of course!! But don’t give it to children under 1 year (due to the risk of botulism).

Cinnamon is Anti Everything-Bad-for-You

Apart from being anti-bacterial and anti-viral, Cinnamon is also anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal. All in all Cinnamon has a multitude of benefits for your health and of course its wonderful flavour makes it a favourite in smoothies, on cereals and in healthy muffins and cakes. Stay tuned for more on the wonderful healing attributes of this marvellous spice. Visit Mr Vitamins and ‘ask a Naturopath’ if you have questions about the wonders of Cinnamon and Honey for curing colds.