Cinnamon - Health Benefits

Cinnamon - Health Benefits

Scientific Name: Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume ,Cinnamomum cassia 
Family:Lauraceae
Part of Plant Used: Bark 
Origin: Eqypt ,Sri Lanka, India

History: One of the oldest spices known to man, cinnamon is featured in the Bible and was used in Ancient Egypt as a beverage flavoring, medicine, and embalming agent. Its medicinal benefits have been known to Indian & Chinese for thousands of years.In Ayurveda (ancient Indian philosophy of medicine) cinnamon is used as a remedy for diabetes, indigestion, and colds. In traditional Chinese medicine Cassia cinnamon is used for colds, flatulence, nausea, diarrhea, and painful menstrual periods. It's also believed to improve energy, vitality, and circulation. It is particularly useful for people who tend to feel hot in their upper body but have cold feet. Cinnamon was so highly prized that it was more precious than gold and it was one of the first commodities traded between the Near East and Europe.

Known Active Ingredients: cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate, cinnamyl alcohol

Health Benefits:
A. Cinnamaldehyde has anti-clotting properties, which helps prevent unwanted clumping of the platelets. It is also an anti-inflammatory, blocking the release of arachidonic acid and thromboxane 42.

B. Cinnamon has anti-microbial properties, namely its ability to stop the growth of Candida.Yeasts that are resistant to the action of commonly used anti-fungals have been stopped by cinnamon extracts.There is also evidence that this property lends cinnamon to being used as a preservative.

C. The smell of cinnamon has also been shown to improve brain function, so take a whiff. And finally, the property that nutrition geeks like to discuss, cinnamon has the ability to control blood sugar. It improves insulin sensitivity, helping to clear the high blood sugar of diabetics.

1. Anti Cancerous 
2. Reduces Bad Cholesterol  
3. Brain Stimulant  
4. Antidote:Cinnamon is often used as an antidote for diarrhea and stomach upset as well as a metabolism booster.
5. Prevents Tooth decay   
6. Cures Respiratory Problems.  
7. Fight Infections 
8. Ease menstruation cycles  
9. Helps Birth Control  
10. Breastfeeding:It is also believed that cinnamon aids in the secretion of breast milk.
11. Reduces Arthritis Pain  
12. Digestive Tonic 
13. Reduces Urinary Tract Infection [UTI] 
14. Headache & migraine cure 
15. Cure for Pimples & Blackheads:External application of paste of cinnamon powder with a few drops of fresh lemon juice over pimples & black heads would give beneficial result.
16. Toning of tissues  
17. Muscle & joint pain relief  
18. Builds Immune System:Honey and cinnamon paste is good for boosting the immune system, removing regular fatigue and increasing the longevity of an individual. It is also known to have antiaging properties.
19. Healing open wounds and small cuts 
20. Prevents Itching:Paste of honey and cinnamon is often used to treat insect bites.

Flavor: Cinnamon has a warm, sweet flavor that goes well with everything from apples to chicken to coffee.This versatility makes it one of the kitchen workhorses. It really blends well with other spices.

There are actually four different types of cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon, also known as true cinnamon,Korintje, Saigon, and Chinese, or cassia cinnamon. The one you find most often in stores is cassia. There are slight flavor differences, but I wouldn't concern myself too much with it. Connoisseurs opt for ceylon, which is milder and less harsh.