Honey and Cinnamon

Snopes.com was doing research on the many emails that were coming out with the below listed information on it to determine if it was true or not. It began its research in 2008 and the status is still listed as "undetermined". Emails began, apparently, in 1995.

I have completed what research I could find on the Internet, that was supported by studies that could be further researched if one was so inclined, and put that information at the end of each section. The research noted may or may not totally support what the claim is. In tradition Chinese medicine, Cassia Cinnamon is used for colds, flatulence, nausea, diarrhea, and painful menstrual periods. It's also believed to improve energy, vitality, and circulation and be particularly useful for people who tend to feel hot in their upper body but have cold feet. In Ayurveda, cinnamon is used as a remedy for diabetes, indigestion, and colds, and it is often recommended for people with the kapha Ayurvedic type.


According to foodreference.com , the vitamins found in honey may include niacin, riboflavin and pantothenic acid. Minerals present include calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Honey has a phytochemical profile which includes polyphenols that can act as antioxidants. Honey contains antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

According to WHFoods.com The cinnaldehyde in cinnamon helps prevent unwanted clumping of blood platelets. Cinnamon's ability to lower the release of arachidonic acid from cell membranes also puts it in the category of an "anti-inflammatory" food that can be helpful in lessening inflammation. Cinnamon's essential oils also qualify it as an "anti-microbial" food.Cinnamon slows the rate at which the stomach empties after meals, reducing the rise in blood sugar after eating. In addition to its unique essential oils, cinnamon is an excellent source of the trace mineral manganese and a very good source of dietary fiber, iron and calcium. This website has a link of an "In-Depth Nutritional profile of Cinnamon and also gives references for the information contained in the site.

I personally believe in trying a "natural cure" before running off to sped a few hundred bucks at the doctors office for my 5 minute visit, so he can give me some scripts that will cost who knows how much that may or may not do any good. I do believe that honey and that cinnamon, as well as other spices, have some good properties in them that can and do help with various conditions. I know that honey is good for alleviating allergy conditions like hay fever and that cinnamon is beneficial for diabetes patients.

The information below was sent to me via email and, as I said, what research I could find I added to each category. Best part is, that it may not cure you, but, unless you are allergic to honey or cinnamon, it won't kill you either! It may give some relief for some symptoms you are having. As always talk to your doctor first if you are on medications.

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Cinnamon and Honey
Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call "turning to sugar". In reality honey is always honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time, it will do what I rather call "crystallizing". When this happens I loosen the lid, boil some water, and sit the honey container in the hot water, turn off the heat and let it liquefy. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey.

Cinnamon and Honey
Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a "Ram Ban" (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases.

Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage, as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, in its issue dated 17 January 1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:

Heart Diseases
Make a past of honey and cinnamon power, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and save the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.
(NOTE: see the information under Cholesterol, that is probably where this came from).

Arthritis
Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly, even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain. (NOTE: I did not try to find the research claimed)

Bladder Infections
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

Cholesterol
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken 3 times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.
(NOTE: The journal mentioned is the Diabetes Care medical journal. The study was published in 2003, involving 60 persons with type 2 diabetes. They took 1, 3, or 6 grams of cinnamon in pill form daily - roughly equivalent to 1/4 - 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. After 40 days, fasting blood glucose was reduced by 18 - 29%, triglycerides were reduced by 23 - 30%, LDL cholesterol was reduced by 7 - 27% and total cholesterol was reduced by 12 - 26%).

Colds
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold and clear the sinuses.
(NOTE:A 2007 study by a Penn State College of Medicine research team found that honey at bedtime was more effective for curing COUGH and sleep difficulty in children that dextromethorphan - a cough suppressant found in many OTC cold meds. It does not indicate that it cures the cold, only that it suppresses the cough. J Beiler, A McMOnagle, ML Shaffer, L Duda, CM Berlin Jr.)

Upset Stomach
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.
(NOTE: see indigestion below)

Gas
According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken with cinnamon powder, the stomach is relieved of gas.
(NOTE: see indigestion below)

Immune System
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

Indigestion
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.
(NOTE: Drs Tobias Olofsson and Alejandra Vasquez from Lund University in Sweden showed evidence from their research that different varietals of honey possess a large amount of friendly bacteria, viable lactobacilli - 6 species and bifidobacteria - 4 species, which may explain the "mysterious therapeutic properties of honey"

Influenza
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ingredient which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

Longevity
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take 4 spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of and boil. Drink 1/4cup, three or four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20 year old.

Pimples
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply the paste to pimples before sleeping and wash it the next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.
(NOTE: see Skin Infections below. Also the article I was looking at explained that pimples and blackheads are caused by bacteria - not from greasy food, chocolate or soft drinks).

Skin Infections
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cure eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.
(NOTE: A 2008 study conducted by the University of Amsterdam investigated the antibacterial capability of medical grade honey- Revamil. They concluded that honey is a promising topical antimicrobial agent for prevention or treatment of infections, including those caused by multi drug-resistant bacteria. A 1999 study conducted by the University of Wales Institute found that unpasteurized honey produced an antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacteria found readily in our environment that can cause infections, especially in open wounds. Ref: RA Cooper, PC Molan, and KG Harding, J R Soc Med 1999 June).

Weight Loss
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
(NOTE: During the 2008 First International Symposium on Honey and Human Health, Dr. Nicola Starkey from the Universtiy of Waikato, New Zealand concluded that honey may be a healthier replacement for sucrose, particularly in those with poor glycemic control or who are at high risk from cardiovascular disease. According to Dr. David Baer of the USDA Agriculture Research Service, our body tolerates honey better compared to table sugar. Eating honey is better for people with diabetic conditions as it is less likely to cause blood sugar spike. A 2004 study conducted by the University of California concluded that participants did not gain weight for the month they were consuming honey and some claimed that eating honey for breakfast made them feel full and satisfied).

Cancer
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.

Fatigue
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who had done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00pm, when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.
(NOTE: Studies at the University of Memphis Exercise and Sports Nutrition Laboratory found that honey may be one of the most effective forms of carbohydrate to eat just prior to exercise. The honey group maintained optimal blood sugar levels throughout the two hours following the workout. IN addition, muscle recuperation and glycogen restoration was favorable in those individuals consuming the honey-protein combination).

Bad Breath
People of South America, fist thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

Hearing Loss
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!

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