Using Honey and Cinnamon For Cold Relief

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Is Honey and Cinnamon Good for Colds?

Many people enjoy trying home remedies and homeopathic medicines. Honey is a popular ingredient in many. Can you use honey for colds and get some relief? Yes, raw honey alone or a combination of honey and cinnamon is a common cold remedy. Consider this natural remedy the next time you have a cough or cold.

Will Honey Cure a Cold?

Umm.. no, sorry. Honey is not a cure for a common cold or flu.

But, I understand why you ask. When you feel bad, you want to get better quick!   A complete cure would the best outcome and right now! 

Unfortunately, the journey through sickness doesn’t usually work quite this way.  It wont cure you, but using honey or a mixture of honey and cinnamon will bring relief.

You must be kidding !  No actually, I  am not kidding. Honey for colds or coughs is not a new thing.

Is Honey Good for You?

Long before a Walgreens or CVS sat on every street corner, mankind battled illness. Relief had to be sought from materials that were readily on-hand.

Long ago, mankind realized that honey may provide something more than a sweet food source. Rather than looking for a cure, the focus was on symptom relief. 

Using honey for cold relief may be a novel idea for your family. We have become too accustomed to purchasing health aids in boxes and bottles. 

Because it is so easy to store honey, we should always keep some on hand.

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

Using Honey for Health

Our best plan of treatment during cold and flu events is to rest, eat properly and try to relieve symptoms. 

Honey provides an effective natural treatment to at least help you feel some relief as you wait out the cold process.  

Many people claim that pure raw honey helps relieve coughs during a bad cold.  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. 

Why Use Honey and Cinnamon Together?

Honey contains natural antimicrobial and antibiotic properties that promote good health.  A boost to the immune system could be a result from honey consumption.

Cinnamon is one of those herbs used for centuries for various health issues. It has long been used in traditional Asian medicine.

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.

Which Honey Is Best for Colds?

You will find different varieties of honey for sale. Honey bees make honey from plant nectar. The flavor of a honey type will vary depending on the plant nectar that is used.

For cold relief, the type of honey used for cold symptoms really doesn’t matter that much. You may choose Wildflower Honey, Clover Honey, Buckwheat Honey etc. 

In recent years, Manuka honey has gained in popularity. However, that does not mean that regular honey is not good for most purposes.

Where to Buy Honey ?

It is important that you purchase natural raw honey.  Pasteurized honey will lose some of the natural properties that we want in a home remedy.

Small scale beekeepers are the best source for raw honey.   Why ?  Because we do not produce large crops. 

Smaller batches of honey do not require special machines for extracting and bottling. A smaller crop of honey is in less danger of being over-heated or mishandled. 

Must Your Honey Be Local?

Do you have to buy 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.

You do not want pasteurized honey. Pasteurization is designed to kill bad microbes but it also kills beneficial ones.  

If you buy honey from a larger provider, read the label closely. Do not buy honey that contains products from countries outside the US.

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.  

The rule of thumb is do not give raw honey to young children.  Consult with your physician before giving raw honey to kids of any age. This caution also applies to anyone with a compromised immune system.

Honey & Cinnamon Recipes

Honey & Lemon Tea

• 1 Cup of very warm water
• the juice of ½ lemon
• 2 tablespoons of raw honey
• 1 tsp of ground cinnamon (ceylon)

Cinnamon Hot Toddy

• ½ cup of hot water
• 1.5 ounces of brandy
• the juice of 1 lemon wedge
• 1 tsp of ground cinnamon
• Raw honey to sweeten to taste

Sore Throat Buster

• 1 cup of warm water
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1 pinch of ceylon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice

Sip frequently to ease pain.

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. 

Final Thoughts on Using Honey and Cinnamon for Colds

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 for cold relief right at my fingertips.

*** 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.

Beekeeper Charlotte