Honey and Cinnamon For Cough Relief

Chances are that you will experience a cough at some time in your life. In recent years, the interest in home remedies and homeopathic medicines has grown. Raw honey is a popular ingredient in many of these folk remedies. Another popular player in the health sector is ground cinnamon. It should come as no surprise that these two often team up-forming a dynamic duo of honey and cinnamon for cough relief.

Is Honey and Cinnamon Good for Coughs?

We have become too accustomed to purchasing health aids in boxes and bottles.  Years ago, relief had to be sought from materials that were readily on-hand.

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Actually, there are there are so many ways to use honey, you should always keep some on hand. An added bonus, even raw honey is easy to store and doesn’t go bad. It will last for years and years.

Does it Really Work?

Though many people claim that honey relieves coughs – these claims are mostly anecdotal (without scientific research).

If a particular recipe seems to soothe a cold sufferer, people share their findings with family and friends. These recipes and strategies pass down through the generations. 

Why is there a lack of scientific studies on the use of honey and other natural products? Scientific research is funded by large drug companies.  They would have no financial benefit from proving the effectiveness of a natural product. 

But in recent years, the Mayo Clinic reports that honey alone offers relief for some cough sufferers. It is not suitable for very young children or people with compromised immune systems – check with your doctor.

Why Use Honey and Cinnamon Together?

Honey contains natural antimicrobial and antibiotic properties that promote good health.  It is also anti-inflammatory and the thickness of the liquid feels so good on a raw throat.

Cinnamon is one of those herbs used for centuries for various health issues in traditional Asian medicine. It is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal – this means it prohibits the growth of a lot of nasty things.

Mixing honey and cinnamon together creates a good tasting tonic that make easy cough symptoms and help the body recover. It is not necessary to add cinnamon or lemon juice but they do have soothing qualities of their own. And, some of us really like the taste.

If you enjoy natural remedies, many of them are easy to make at home. If a cough is bugging you – try my recipe for Homemade Honey Cough Drops.

Honey for Colds in Toddlers

Raw honey is not a dangerous product.  But, because it is raw and not heat treated, there is a possibility it could be dangerous to infants or children under 1 year of age.  

Consult with your physician before giving raw honey to kids of any age. This caution also applies to anyone with a compromised immune system.

Another popular herbal remedy involving the use of honey is Fire Cider.  You can even make your own homemade fire cider tonic!

**Few people are allergic to honey, lemon, cinnamon etc. but check with your doctor if you are concerned about any of these items.  Remember, no raw honey for infants. 

Hmm, my throat does feel a bit scratchy – a cup of hot tea with lemon juice & honey sounds pretty good right now.  Lucky me, I have a lot of honey and cinnamon right at my fingertips.

Our best plan of treatment during cold and flu events is to rest, eat properly and try to relieve symptoms.  Herbal tonics provide an effective natural treatment to at least help you feel some relief as you wait out the cold process.  

Common Questions About Using Honey & Cinnamon

Small scale beekeepers are the best source for raw honey. Do you have to buy local honey from your area ?  What if you do not know any local beekeepers? For cold and cough relief, it does not matter if the honey is produced close to your home. You just need pure honey.

If you are battling allergies, you do want to purchase honey that comes from a region with the same types of plants and trees as yours. For a sore throat, I don’t think the region of origin matters.

*** Medical Disclaimer
I am a beekeeper, not a doctor.  These are combinations that my customers and friends swear by for relief.  Always seek the medical advice of a doctor before using any natural rememdy.