For centuries, cinnamon and honey have been used in combination within Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to promote wellness. Honey and cinnamon have been used throughout history as home remedies and continue to be used as holistic medicines by alternative practitioners, according to "The Encyclopedia Of Healing Foods" by Michael Murray.. Using honey and cinnamon as complementary support to conventional medicine may offer some relief from leg pain, but check with your doctor to ensure collaboration for any alternative technique you wish to add to your care regime.
Properties
According to author Vasant Lad, author of "The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies," the warming components in cinnamon, paired with anti-inflammatory properties found in raw honey, may reduce leg pain caused by ligament or muscle stress and other arthritic conditions.
Topical Application
Cinnamon and honey may be applied topically on the painful area. Holistic practitioners may recommend applying a paste made of honey and cinnamon to the injured leg several times a day, along with soothing massage. Applying additional warmth with a hot water bottle can be varied with cool applications, depending on the nature of the injury, suggests Murray. If the area in pain has lacerations, it is advisable to apply only honey to the areas of open skin, because cinnamon may cause a burning sensation. In addition to being an anti-inflammatory, honey is anti-microbial and anti-fungal, which is why some holistic practitioners use it on open wounds, blemishes and lacerations to promote healing, according to "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine."
Ingestion
People with chronic leg pain associated with arthritis or similar inflamed conditions may consume honey and cinnamon as a hot drink to address their symptoms. According to Dr. Joiner-Bay of "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine," you should add 2 tsp. honey and 1 tsp. cinnamon powder to 1 cup of hot water twice daily as a preventative and curative holistic remedy. Alternative remedies are not a substitute for traditional medical care but should be viewed as complementary nourishment to your doctor's orders. Alternative medicine applications may be most helpful when used under the supervision of a trained and licensed naturopathic physician or specialist.
Cautions
People with allergies to bees and bee products should never use any holistic regime that involves the use of honey. Do not give honey to children younger than 2 under any circumstances, because it may cause botulism, a severe form of food poisoning that can be fatal in young children.
References
- "The American Holistic Medical Association Guide to Holistic Health: Healing Therapies for Optimal Wellness"; Larry Trivieri Jr.; 2001
- "The Encyclopedia Of Healing Foods"; Michael Murray; 2005
- "The Book of Herbal Wisdom: Using Plants as Medicine"; Matthew Wood; 1997
- "Rosemary Gladstar's Family Herbal: A Guide to Living Life with Energy, Health, and Vitality "; Rosemary Gladstar; 2001
- "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine, 2nd Edition"; J. Pizzorno, et al.; 2008
- "The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies; Vasant Lad; 1999
