Honey & Cinnamon For Indigestion

Cinnamon and honey have lengthy histories of use in the kitchen and in folk medicine. Both foods contain key constituents that appear to prevent a variety of ailments, including indigestion. Although cinnamon and honey have reputed health benefits, whether used together or singly, few conclusive research studies exist to confirm their efficacy. Before using these flavorings to treat any medical condition, speak with your healthcare provider.

Indigestion 101

Indigestion, or dyspepsia, is not a disease, but a collection of symptoms that commonly occur after eating or drinking, according to the Mayo Clinic. What one person calls indigestion, another might call bloating, belching, burping or even a pain in the chest. Different people have different symptoms. Typically, however, indigestion involves a distension in your stomach, a gnawing pain in your chest, gas, nausea or a taste of acid in your mouth.

About Honey

Honey, the sweet liquid produced by bees from the nectar of flowers, is a complex mixture of water, organic acids, plant pigments, mineral and vitamin traces and the sugars glucose and fructose. It has a long history of use as a food, an antiseptic and as a tonic for overall good health. According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, ancient Romans used honey orally for constipation, diarrhea and upset stomach.

About Cinnamon

Cinnamon, a tropical evergreen tree, grows to heights of 25 to 30 feet and bears oval leaves, greenish-white flowers and dark purple fruit. Indigenous to southwestern India and Sri Lanka, it has a soft, reddish-brown bark used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Steven Foster, author of the book "National Geographic Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine," claims that the use of cinnamon as a medicinal herb dates back to 500 B.C., when it treated colds, flu and digestive problems including flatulence, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea and stomach upset.

Honey, Cinnamon and Indigestion

According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, although not substantiated with reliable scientific proof, Germany's Commission E approves cinnamon as a relief for indigestion. Cinnamon has carminative -- preventing or relieving flatulence -- and antispasmodic properties. It works to relieve indigestion by blocking the production of body chemicals that cause inflammation. Honey contains enzymes including invertase, diastase, catalase and inulase, all aids to digestion and assimilation. Additionally, due to the significant quantities of potassium it contains, honey helps to balance acid accumulations in your body. When used together in tea form, the cinnamon/honey duo seems to relieve indigestion by quelling flatulence and eliminating bloating and cramps.