Latin name: Cinnamomum Zeylanicum
Plant family: Lauraceae
Plant part used: Dried inner bark
Cinnamon is an old spice, native to Sri Lanka and India. Grown in tropical forests, it has a long history of being used medicinally and aromatically. The enticing smell of cinnamon usually makes one feel warm and safe.
Cinnamon usually comes in the form of cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon, or cinnamon essential oil.
In Ayurveda (Traditional Indian medicine), cinnamon is used to:
Disguise the taste of other unpleasant tasting herbs.
Increase the body’s ability to absorb other herbs.
Relieve colds, coughs, and sore throats.
Enhance ‘agni’ (digestive fire) therefore enhancing the bodies ability to absorb nutrients and digest food easily.
Other Benefits of Cinnamon:
can boost brain cognitive function and memory
extracts of the bark have antibacterial and antifungal properties
great for bloating and indigestion
improves blood circulation
lowers blood sugar levels
Vitamins and minerals in cinnamon:
Using cinnamon:
1. In the winter months, starting the day with a hot cup of cinnamon tea can help eliminate and repel symptoms of cold, flu, and lethargy which are usually associated with the cold weather.
2. In combination with honey and/or ginger, a hot cinnamon tea can help relieve discomfort from stomach pain and menstrual pain.
3. Use in desserts, curries, porridge, potpourri, mulled wine, and many more food dishes for a delicious taste.
4. Inhalation of a few drops of cinnamon essential oil in a bowl of hot water for relief of sinusitis, colds, chest infections and coughs.
5. Simmer a couple of cinnamon sticks in a cup of water for 10 minutes or so and use as a wash for cuts, skin infections and wounds.
6. Gargle cinnamon water to reduce bad breath.
7.Add to essential oil mix to create a wonderful perfume.
8. Put cinnamon sticks in cupboards or drawers to repel moths.
9. Add 1-2 drops cinnamon essential oil onto a cool. lightbulb, and when the light is turned on the aroma should infuse the room.
10. Burn ground cinnamon to use as incense, or boil cinnamon sticks in a pan for a longer lasting smell.
Note: Pregnant women please take precaution with how much cinnamon you are using due to it’s slight emmenagogic action meaning that it stimulates the uterus.
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#Nutrition
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Sources:
www.chopra.com.
Materia Medica