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Cold season is upon us. During the winter, viruses and bacteria constantly attack our immune system. Colds and the flu are common in the winter, but there is a way to prevent them from nagging you. All you need is honey, turmeric and cinnamon – the combination of these ingredients is enough to beat colds and can handle flu as well.
Honey, Turmeric and Cinnamon can rightfully be called superfoods, and even science has proven their benefits (more on that after the recipe).
- Honey contains powerful enzymes with antimicrobial properties that can fight viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
- Turmeric is one of the healthiest spices on Earth. Thanks to its antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, it will keep your immune system in shape and help the body ward off foreign invaders.
- Cinnamon is full of essential oils and it has been found to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities.
Turmeric Honey Cinnamon Recipe (Paste)
To prevent colds in the winter, you only need to follow this simple, yet highly effective, Turmeric Honey Cinnamon recipe:
Turmeric Honey Cinnamon Recipe
Pavlos Giorkas
Mix a teaspoon of turmeric with a teaspoon of honey, add a pinch of cinnamon. Stir until smooth paste. Enjoy with warm milk or spread on toast for a tasty and potentially healthy treat. Easy, flavorful, and under 100 calories!
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Prep Time 3 minutes mins
Resting Time 2 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine Indian
Servings 1 person
Equipment
1 small bowl
1 spoon
Ingredients
- 1 tsp honey prefer local honeys
- 1 tsp turmeric powder organic
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
Instructions
Add all ingredients in a bowl
Mix everything together until a thick paste is formed
Notes
Have this sweet mix 2-3 times daily. Eat it as is or spread on crackers or bread for a tasty health boost.
Keyword alternative health, cinnamon, colds, flu, honey, natural remedies, turmeric
What Science Says
If you are wondering WHY these ingredients will prevent cold and flu and even if you catch it, they’ll boost your immune system and help you fight them, here’s what the science says about them.
Honey
Honey has been recommended as a treatment for cough and sleep difficulty in children with upper respiratory tract infections. It has antioxidant and antimicrobial effects due to its phenolic acid, flavonoids, and peroxidase content [1].
In traditional Chinese medicine, a refined honey syrup containing various herbal extracts and honey has been used to treat influenza [2].
Additionally, a study called “The prophylactic effect of Honey on Common cold” done in 122 high school students, showed that consuming honey may help in the prevention of common cold [3].
Turmeric
Although Turmeric’s benefits are well known (I’ve covered this topic on another blog post), its active compound curcumin, has been shown to have various mechanisms for fighting colds and flu.
For example, curcumin has been found to inhibit the replication of influenza A virus (IAV) in vitro and alleviate the severity of the disease in a mouse model [4].
It has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, which is involved in the production of inflammatory cytokines in response to IAV infection [5] [6].
💡GOOD TO KNOW: NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) is a protein complex that acts as a transcription factor, meaning it controls the expression of genes. The target genes regulated by NF-κB include those encoding cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, and enzymes involved in inflammation and immune response.
Additionally, curcumin has been found to activate Heme oxygenase-1, which can protect lung tissue from IAV-induced injury [7].
💡 GOOD TO KNOW: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of heme into biliverdin, carbon monoxide (CO), and iron. HO-1 has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties
These findings (and a whole lot more) suggest that curcumin in turmeric is antiviral and anti-inflammatory and contributes to its potential effectiveness against colds and flu.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon has been found to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities. [8]
Cinnamon extracts and essential oils can inhibit bacteria by damaging cell membranes, altering lipid profiles, inhibiting ATPases, cell division, and biofilm formation, and through anti-quorum sensing effects. [9]
Cinnamaldehyde, a compound found in cinnamon, acts predominantly by opening ATP-specific K+ channels and has weak calcium antagonistic effects, which helps in relaxing bronchospasm and treating airways-related disorders. [10]
Additionally, cinnamon has been shown to improve thermogenesis, increase lipid consumption, and activate brown adipocytes, which can help in dispelling cold. [11]
These mechanisms make cinnamon a potential natural remedy for colds and flu.
Final Take
Do yourself a favor – if you want to stay healthy this winter, and away from potential harming mainstream drugs, take this remedy a few times per day.
It will support your immune system and help it fight bacteria and viruses while improving your health on many other levels.
Check our more of our recipes:
- How to Make Cinnamon Turmeric Tea For Inflammation (Recipe)
- Simple 4-Ingredient Sweet Potato Juice Recipe Will Clean Your Body and Boost Your Eyesight
- Elderberry Syrup Recipe – Easy Natural Remedy for Flu and Colds!
- How To Make A Homemade Spray To Kill Fruit Flies (Recipe)
- Easy Lemon Ginger Water Recipe For Weight Loss
- DIY Liposomal Turmeric Recipe: How To Make Liposomal Curcumin
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