Fight Your Cold with Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a powerful healing spice!  In Ayurvedic Medicine, we use cinnamon to balance the doshas of Vata (air/space elements) and Kapha (water/earth elements).  These doshas dominate the environment in Autumn and Winter.  If at this point you find yourself saying, "What the #%$$ is a dosha?!", you can find out here. 

We can see that people following their intuitive needs recognize the seasonality of cinnamon, even without paying attention to an "Ayurvedic" lifestyle.  We tend to crave foods and drinks containing cinnamon during the cold months. 

For many of us, the onset of fall brings cravings for apple cider, which contains cinnamon and balances the natural increase in cold and dryness that occurs in the body during this time.  Cinnamon is a part of many winter holiday celebrations in the form of candles, wreaths, cinnamon brooms and pine cones, and recipes infused with this delicious spice.

For colds, I often recommend taking three teaspoons per day of cinnamon powder mixed with equal parts of raw honey. Taking it with a meal will help it to absorb into your body.

Medicinally, cinnamon supports the heart, blood, plasma, bone marrow, and nerves. It is useful in the treatment of colds and flu because it clears congestion from the lungs and sinuses.

I would recommend checking in with a healthcare practitioner before using cinnamon or any herb to treat any other medical conditions. Cinnamon should not be taken in medicinal doses during pregnancy or if you have bleeding ulcers.

If you would like more individualized recommendations, book your appointment with Michelle online: http://mdexter.appointy.com/