Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDoes It Work?BenefitsHow to UsePrecautions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Does It Work?
Benefits
How to Use
Precautions
Honey can help to quiet a cough and soothe a sore throat.Cinnamon is believed to clear congested airways.Together, they make a popularhome remedy for coldand flu symptoms. But, despite lots of anecdotal reports, there isn’t any scientific evidence showing that honey and cinnamon can fully cure a cold.
It doesn’t hurt to use moderate amounts of cinnamon and honey if you find it helps. A popular method is adding a tablespoon of honey and half a teaspoon of cinnamon to hot water. As with most remedies, this one is best used in moderation, as excessive cinnamon or honey may do harm than good in some people.
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There is no evidence that honey or cinnamon, taken together or separately, can cure a cold. There also isn’t research showing these ingredients can shorten the duration of a cold or prevent one from starting in the first place.
That said, there is some evidence that cinnamon and honey could ease certain cold symptoms. For generations, the two have been mixed together to create a homemade remedy for symptoms like sore throat, cough, congestion, and othercold symptoms.
Possible Benefits
Both cinnamon and honey contain anti-inflammatory properties andantioxidantsthat may help ease cold symptoms while your body fights off the virus.
Evidence suggests honey may:
Evidence suggests cinnamon may:
Although the combination of cinnamon and honey has been used for centuries to treat cold, no studies have set out to prove whether the mixture is truly effective for this purpose.
Mixing Cinnamon and Honey for a Cold
The most basic cinnamon and honey recipe is one used frequently in traditional Persian medicine andAyurvedic medicine. It involves mixing one part cinnamon into four parts honey. Take one teaspoon of this mixture three times a day for three to four days.
To make a batch big enough for one full course of treatment, combine:
If you prefer, this recipe works well as a tea. Simply add a teaspoon of the cinnamon and honey mixture to a cup of hot water or herbal tea and sip for added hydration. The hot water can also help thin mucus and soothe an irritated throat.
Best Time to Drink Cinnamon and HoneyCold symptoms often worsen at night due to the body’scircadian rhythm, which boosts immune activity and inflammation towards the end of the day. Thus, drinking cinnamon and honey after dinner or before bed may be particularly helpful for some people.
Best Time to Drink Cinnamon and Honey
Cold symptoms often worsen at night due to the body’scircadian rhythm, which boosts immune activity and inflammation towards the end of the day. Thus, drinking cinnamon and honey after dinner or before bed may be particularly helpful for some people.
Who Shouldn’t Use It?
Consult your healthcare provider before taking large amounts or supplements of cinnamon, or anyherbal remedy, as they can have risks and side effects.
Cinnamon is safe in small, food-level amounts but may cause allergic reactions. Certain types of cinnamon, likeCassia cinnamon, contain a compound called coumarin that can thin the blood and harm the liver in high doses.
If you have a clotting disorder, liver issues, or take blood thinners, talk to your provider about safe cinnamon use. The same goes for people who are pregnant; cinnamon compounds like cinnamaldehyde may trigger uterine contractions and increase the risk of preterm labor.
Honey is generally considered safe. Although, people who havepollen allergiesor severe seasonal allergies (hay fever) should avoid raw, unprocessed honey, as it can contain traces of pollen from the local environment.
Do Not Give Honey to InfantsHoney should never be given to a child under 12 months old because it can cause botulism, a potentially fatal illness.
Do Not Give Honey to Infants
Honey should never be given to a child under 12 months old because it can cause botulism, a potentially fatal illness.
Summary
A mixture of honey and cinnamon is a much-touted cure for the common cold. Despite centuries of anecdotal evidence suggesting it works, no scientific evidence supports these claims.
Individually, these kitchen staples show promise for easing cold symptoms. Research shows honey can help to relieve sore throats and coughs. Cinnamon may help open airways and thin mucus, at least theoretically. These purported benefits are based on laboratory research. Clinical trials are needed to confirm these effects.
Honey and cinnamon are generally considered safe. Though, cinnamon and honey are best used in moderation, especially if you are pregnant, have a pre-existing medical condition, or take certain medications.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kuitunen I, Renko M.Honey for acute cough in children — a systematic review.Eur J Pediatr. 2023. doi:10.1007/s00431-023-05066-1Yakhchali M, Taghipour Z, Mirabzadeh Ardakani M, Alizadeh Vaghasloo M, Vazirian M, Sadrai S.Cinnamon and its possible impact on COVID-19: The viewpoint of traditional and conventional medicine.Biomed Pharmacother. 2021;143:112221. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112221Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common cold.Cianciosi D, Forbes-Hernández TY, Afrin S, et al.Phenolic compounds in honey and their associated health benefits: a review.Molecules. 2018;23(9):2322. doi:10.3390/molecules23092322Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sore throat.Geißler K, Schulze M, Inhestern J, Meißner W, Guntinas-Lichius O.The effect of adjuvant oral application of honey in the management of postoperative pain after tonsillectomy in adults: A pilot study.PLoS One. 2020;15(2):e0228481. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0228481Al-Hatamleh M, Hatmal M, Sattar K, et al.Antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of phytochemicals from honey against COVID-19: Potential mechanisms of action and future directions.Molecules. 2020 Oct;25(21). doi:10.3390/molecules25215017Iftikhar A, Waseem M, Anwar H.Combating paediatric pneumonia: The dynamic duo of cinnamon-clove steam and physiotherapy.J Herb Med. 2024 Dec;48(1):100938. doi:10.1016/j.hermed.2024.100938Harvard Health Publishing.Why are cold symptoms worse at night?National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine.Cinnamon.Dosoky N, Setzer W.Maternal reproductive toxicity of some essential oils and their constituents.Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Feb;22(5):2380. doi:10.3390/ijms22052380American Academy of Pediatrics.Botulism.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kuitunen I, Renko M.Honey for acute cough in children — a systematic review.Eur J Pediatr. 2023. doi:10.1007/s00431-023-05066-1Yakhchali M, Taghipour Z, Mirabzadeh Ardakani M, Alizadeh Vaghasloo M, Vazirian M, Sadrai S.Cinnamon and its possible impact on COVID-19: The viewpoint of traditional and conventional medicine.Biomed Pharmacother. 2021;143:112221. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112221Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common cold.Cianciosi D, Forbes-Hernández TY, Afrin S, et al.Phenolic compounds in honey and their associated health benefits: a review.Molecules. 2018;23(9):2322. doi:10.3390/molecules23092322Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sore throat.Geißler K, Schulze M, Inhestern J, Meißner W, Guntinas-Lichius O.The effect of adjuvant oral application of honey in the management of postoperative pain after tonsillectomy in adults: A pilot study.PLoS One. 2020;15(2):e0228481. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0228481Al-Hatamleh M, Hatmal M, Sattar K, et al.Antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of phytochemicals from honey against COVID-19: Potential mechanisms of action and future directions.Molecules. 2020 Oct;25(21). doi:10.3390/molecules25215017Iftikhar A, Waseem M, Anwar H.Combating paediatric pneumonia: The dynamic duo of cinnamon-clove steam and physiotherapy.J Herb Med. 2024 Dec;48(1):100938. doi:10.1016/j.hermed.2024.100938Harvard Health Publishing.Why are cold symptoms worse at night?National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine.Cinnamon.Dosoky N, Setzer W.Maternal reproductive toxicity of some essential oils and their constituents.Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Feb;22(5):2380. doi:10.3390/ijms22052380American Academy of Pediatrics.Botulism.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kuitunen I, Renko M.Honey for acute cough in children — a systematic review.Eur J Pediatr. 2023. doi:10.1007/s00431-023-05066-1Yakhchali M, Taghipour Z, Mirabzadeh Ardakani M, Alizadeh Vaghasloo M, Vazirian M, Sadrai S.Cinnamon and its possible impact on COVID-19: The viewpoint of traditional and conventional medicine.Biomed Pharmacother. 2021;143:112221. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112221Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common cold.Cianciosi D, Forbes-Hernández TY, Afrin S, et al.Phenolic compounds in honey and their associated health benefits: a review.Molecules. 2018;23(9):2322. doi:10.3390/molecules23092322Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sore throat.Geißler K, Schulze M, Inhestern J, Meißner W, Guntinas-Lichius O.The effect of adjuvant oral application of honey in the management of postoperative pain after tonsillectomy in adults: A pilot study.PLoS One. 2020;15(2):e0228481. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0228481Al-Hatamleh M, Hatmal M, Sattar K, et al.Antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of phytochemicals from honey against COVID-19: Potential mechanisms of action and future directions.Molecules. 2020 Oct;25(21). doi:10.3390/molecules25215017Iftikhar A, Waseem M, Anwar H.Combating paediatric pneumonia: The dynamic duo of cinnamon-clove steam and physiotherapy.J Herb Med. 2024 Dec;48(1):100938. doi:10.1016/j.hermed.2024.100938Harvard Health Publishing.Why are cold symptoms worse at night?National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine.Cinnamon.Dosoky N, Setzer W.Maternal reproductive toxicity of some essential oils and their constituents.Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Feb;22(5):2380. doi:10.3390/ijms22052380American Academy of Pediatrics.Botulism.
Kuitunen I, Renko M.Honey for acute cough in children — a systematic review.Eur J Pediatr. 2023. doi:10.1007/s00431-023-05066-1
Yakhchali M, Taghipour Z, Mirabzadeh Ardakani M, Alizadeh Vaghasloo M, Vazirian M, Sadrai S.Cinnamon and its possible impact on COVID-19: The viewpoint of traditional and conventional medicine.Biomed Pharmacother. 2021;143:112221. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112221
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common cold.
Cianciosi D, Forbes-Hernández TY, Afrin S, et al.Phenolic compounds in honey and their associated health benefits: a review.Molecules. 2018;23(9):2322. doi:10.3390/molecules23092322
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sore throat.
Geißler K, Schulze M, Inhestern J, Meißner W, Guntinas-Lichius O.The effect of adjuvant oral application of honey in the management of postoperative pain after tonsillectomy in adults: A pilot study.PLoS One. 2020;15(2):e0228481. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0228481
Al-Hatamleh M, Hatmal M, Sattar K, et al.Antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of phytochemicals from honey against COVID-19: Potential mechanisms of action and future directions.Molecules. 2020 Oct;25(21). doi:10.3390/molecules25215017
Iftikhar A, Waseem M, Anwar H.Combating paediatric pneumonia: The dynamic duo of cinnamon-clove steam and physiotherapy.J Herb Med. 2024 Dec;48(1):100938. doi:10.1016/j.hermed.2024.100938
Harvard Health Publishing.Why are cold symptoms worse at night?
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine.Cinnamon.
Dosoky N, Setzer W.Maternal reproductive toxicity of some essential oils and their constituents.Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Feb;22(5):2380. doi:10.3390/ijms22052380
American Academy of Pediatrics.Botulism.
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