Medicinal Properties of Honey & Cinnamon

Honey and cinnamon are natural ingredients people use primarily for cooking. Besides the culinary purposes honey and cinnamon have, there are a variety of medicinal uses for each. Knowing the medicinal uses for honey and cinnamon may come in handy if you need to use one or the other in a pinch.

Honey Heals Wounds

Honey can be used topically when treating a wound. The reason honey is effective when treating wounds is because it has natural, antibacterial properties. It can prevent infection and speed up the healing process. Honey prevents bacteria growth and promotes healing because it isn't acidic and has a low pH level.

Honey for Allergies

Honey may also help reduce the symptoms associated with seasonal allergies. If you consume local honey about one month before and during allergy season it may help reduce the histamine response in your body. Local honey contains trace amounts of the pollen from natural elements around you. When you consume the honey you are slowly developing immunity toward those elements.

Honey for Healthy Skin

Honey is often used as an astringent or facial mask. People use honey on their skin because it softens and moisturizers. It is a humectant helping skin retain moisture as well as attracting more moisture. Honey is also a natural antiseptic helping clear up acne prone skin. For these reasons, many companies use honey in soap, bubble baths, cleansers, creams, shampoos and conditioners.

Cinnamon Helps Blood Sugar

When taken twice daily, cinnamon may help patients with Type II diabetes. Less than 1/4 tsp. of cinnamon twice daily may help lower blood sugar, triglycerides and both LDL and total cholesterol levels. Cinnamon is believed to improve the efficiency of insulin in the body, the hormone responsible for transporting glucose to cells in the body.

Cinnamon for Inflammation

Cinnamon is often used to alleviate the pain of arthritis because it has anti-inflammatory properties. Cinnamaldehyde is thought to inhibit nitric oxide production, believed to be a factor in inflammatory conditions. According to Drugs.com, it may also help inhibit the production of cyclooxygenase-2 catalyzed prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis, which also affect inflammatory conditions.

Cinnamon for Infections

Cinnamon can kill bacteria, fungi and even some insects, making it suitable for use against certain infections. It is an antimicrobial that inhibits the growth of certain bacteria including many food-borne illnesses. Cinnamon can also help clear yeast infections caused by Candida. In fact, many cultures have used cinnamon for centuries as a stomach tonic to ease nausea, diarrhea and constipation.