HONEY AND CINNAMON

Honey and cinnamon. The best combination you could wish for. 

First, 

CINNAMON 

I really love cinnamon; the smell, the taste but most of all: IT HAS AMAZING HEALTH PROPERTIES. 

1) ANTI-CHOLESTEROL. Studies have shown that only 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon each day, lower your LDL cholesterol (that's the bad cholesterol). 

2) ANTI-OXIDANT. It's one of the most anti-oxidant spices known. 

3) ANTI-CLOTTING. It has an anti-clotting effect on blood, it's good to prevent embolisms and cardiovascular accidents.

4) ANTI-DIABETIC. It has a regulatory effect on your blood sugar, prevents diabetes and beneficial for people with TYPE II diabetes.

5) ANTI-BACTERIAL. It's a natural food preservative. It inhibits bacterial growth, also in our stomach! 

6) ANTI-FATIGUE. It improves vitality, energy and improves the concentration. 

7) ANTI-ARTHRITIS. Arthritis is the inflammation of a joint. (More about this at the cinnamon + honey section).

8) ANTI-HEADACHE. It's a natural remedy against headaches and migraine pains. 

9) Great source of MANGANESE, IRON, FIBER, IRON and CALCIUM. 

Crazy, no? But watch out : 

"Some recent studies in Europe have shown that cinnamon derived from the Cassia plant contains a toxic compound known as Coumarin. This compound is known to cause liver and kidney damage in high concentrations. Since the powdered cinnamon that we purchase in our supermarkets is typically derived from the Cassia plant, it is important to avoid consuming high doses of it.

Since cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on the blood, caution should also be exercised when it is used in combination with other blood-thinning products such as aspirin. Large quantities of cinnamon should also be avoided during pregnancy due to the possibility of adverse effects on the uterus.

Anyone that is currently taking medication for controlling blood sugar levels or blood thinners should consult their doctor before using cinnamon as a regular supplement."  Source, home remedies web. 

HONEY

This is also a real nature's gift. Beyond his great taste, it has also amazing health properties. 

1) GREAT ENERGY BOOSTER.  Honey is known for it's effectiveness in immediately boosting the performance, endurance and to reduce the muscle fatigue of athletes.

The glucose in honey is absorbed by the body quickly and gives an immediate energy boost, while the fructose is absorbed more slowly providing sustained energy. It is known that honey has also been found to keep levels of blood sugar fairly constant compared to other types of sugar.

2) ANTI-CANCER. Honey prevents carcinogens and has anti-tumor properties. 

3) IMMUNE SYSTEM BUILDER. Honey is also a powerful immune system booster. It also has anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties like cinnamon. Start everyday with a honey and lemon juice drink, it will help you to stay healthy and fight disease. 

4) WOUND HEALING. This one of the best properties of honey. It's been used for antiseptic agent for treating ulcers, burns and wounds. Because honey is composed of fructose and glucose, two sugars that strongly attack water, it absorbs water for the wound and dries it out so that the growth of bacteria and fungi is inhibited. It's really great against scars.

"One study in India compared the wound healing effects of honey to a conventional treatment (silver sulfadiazene) in 104 first-degree burn patients. After one week of treatment, 91 percent of honey treated burns were infection free compared with only 7 percent receiving the conventional treatment. Finally, a greater percentage of patients' burns were healed more readily in the honey treated group. Another study examined the wound healing benefits of honey applied topically to patients following Caesarean section and hysterectomy. Compared to the group receiving the standard solution of iodine and alcohol, the honey treated group was infection free in fewer days, healed more cleanly and had a reduced hospital stay." Source; whfoods.org 

5) ANTI-CHOLESTEROL. Also like cinnamon, it decreases the LDL-cholesterol. 

HONEY AND CINNAMON

1) ARTHRITIS. People with arthritis should drink every morning and evening, a cup of hot water with two teaspoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon. After one week you should already feel the difference.

2) HEART DISEASES. Apply honey and cinnamon powder on bread instead of using jam or butter and eat it regularly for breakfast. 

3) HAIR LOSS.  Apply a paste of hot olive oil, a tablespoon of honey, a teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath, leave it for 15 min and wash. 

4) BLADDER INFECTIONS: Mix cinnamon powder and honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink. 

5) TOOTHACHE: Apply a paste of cinnamon powder and honey and on the aching tooth

 6) CHOLESTEROL :Add honey to cinnamon powder mixed in boiled water or green tea and drink. 

7) COLDS: Make a glass of lukewarm honey water mixed with cinnamon powder to help boost your immune system during the cold season. It may also help to clear your sinuses. 

8) INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on a spoonful of honey taken before food relieves acidity. 

9) LONGEVITY: Regularly take tea made with honey and a little cinnamon powder. 

10) PIMPLES/ACNE : Mix honey with cinnamon powder and apply paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash away the next morning. 

11) OBESITY: To reduce weight daily drink a mixture of a teaspoon of honey with half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder boiled in water with an empty stomach in the morning about half an hour before breakfast.

 12) BAD BREATH: Gargle with honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water so that breath stays fresh throughout the day.

Source: Benefits-of-Honey.com

Let's have a long healthy life my friends:). 

Love, Shady