Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice that has ancient origins and is popularly used as flavorings, as a condiment and in cooking. Cinnamon is also known to provide various medicinal benefits that include lowering of blood cholesterol, for diabetes. Cinnamon is obtained from the bark of the Cinnamon tree.

There are two popular kinds of Cinnamon, one is the “true Cinnamon” from the Cinnamon tree which is native in Sri Lanka (from the genus Cinnamomum verum) and the other is “Cassia” (Cinnamomum Cassia) which is being commercially cultivated in China, Indonesia, Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. It is widely accepted that Cinnamon from Sri Lanka is of better quality between the two.

Cinnamon is used in many culinary receipts and desserts, such as donuts, apple pie, cinnamon buns as well as candies, tea, hot cocoa, and liquors. Cinnamon is also used in thick soups, drinks and sweets. Cinnamon is popularly used in the United States as flavoring for cereals, bread-based dishes and fruits. In Mexico, cinnamon is used in the preparation of chocolates.

Other than for culinary purposes, oil obtained from the cinnamon bark is also popularly used in perfumery. Cinnamon oil is also used in dental and pharmaceutical products. Cinnamon leaf oil has been found to be effective in killing mosquito larvae. In some studies, Cinnamon leaf oil is being proposed for use as an insect repellent.

There are some benefits of Cinnamon:

Because Cinnamon has ancient origins, a broad range of folkloric health remedies have been practiced through the years that can be found in various cultures. But a number of scientific studies that were done confirmed that there are indeed some medicinal benefits from Cinnamon. Cinnamon has traditionally been used to treat toothache and fight bad breath. Cinnamon is also believed to stave off common colds, nausea, sued as general health tonic and as aid in degistion.

Some of the folkloric applications of Cinnamon are as follows:

Memory Booster , Cinnamon can improve cognitive function as well as memory.

Blood Purification . Cinnamon helps in removing impurities from the blood, and is often recommended for pimples.

Promotes Healing . Cinnamon helps to stop bleeding, and facilitates the healing process. 

Digestive Tonic Cinnamon aids in digestion. Cinnamon is effective for indigestion, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea and flatulence. Cinnamon also relieves acidity and morning sickness.

Respiratory problems . Cinnamon helps in cold, flu, influenza, sore throat.