Used as a spice in cooking, as well as in natural cures and home remedies, the health benefits of cinnamon are numerous. The two main varieties of this delightful spice are Ceylon and Chinese cinnamon. Of the two, Ceylon tends to be a tad sweeter and is a bit more refined, but is not readily available in most markets like Chinese cinnamon is.
Cinnamon Scientific Name
Cinnamonum zeylanicum
Cinnamon Description
Cinnamon is made from the bark of the tree bearing the same name. It can be purchased in quill form, which is simply a tubular form that the bark takes after it is dried (commonly referred to as cinnamon sticks). Or it can be purchased in powdered form.
Cinnamon Typical Preparations
The health benefits of cinnamon can be obtained by combining it with other herbs and consuming it as a tea or a single teaspoon can be mixed with a cup of boiling water to create a cinnamon tea with just the spice alone. This can be consumed 4 to 5 times per day, or as needed, for gas or bowel pain.
Common Uses of Cinnamon
Besides its distinctive flavor and aromatic appeal, cinnamon actually contains properties, which make it quite useful as a folk remedy. After consuming it with hot water, cinnamon tea tends to warm the stomach, which helps it expel gas and acts as a laxative when needed.
Studies of cinnamon health benefits also reveal that it is high in fiber, calcium, iron and manganese, which, along with essential oils naturally contained therein, make it helpful in reducing cholesterol and, thus, fighting against heart disease.
Cinnamon health benefits also make it one of the more commonly used spices in natural cures and home remedies. It is deemed especially helpful in treating the following:
- Poor appetite
- Stomach gas
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Peptic ulcers
- Circulation
- Menstrual problems
- Candida
- Type 2 diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Cancer
- Fever
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Colds
- Congestion
- Declining cognitive abilities (specifically memory)
With giving special regard to the health benefits of cinnamon and diabetes, it has been recognized as an effective treatment for the disease. In 2003, research published in the esteemed journal Diabetes Care revealed that diabetic research participants who were given small doses of cinnamon actually showed marked improvements in their blood glucose levels.
By balancing blood sugar and fighting against insulin resistance, cinnamon and weight loss offered by its functions in the body is another benefit to its regular use.
Further studies of cinnamon health benefits also show it to be helpful in lowering bad cholesterol and triglycerides.
Precautions
Precautions
While studies of the health benefits of cinnamon also support that it is safe for regular use, women who are pregnant or nursing should confer with their health care practitioner before using cinnamon, or other natural cures and home remedies, to treat specific health concerns.
Also, using cinnamon in large doses may cause mouth lesions or minor irritation.
The health benefits of cinnamon are often widely celebrated and deservedly so. As one of the oldest spices documented in history, cinnamon has been used throughout the ages for medicinal treatments, food and beverage flavoring, and even as an embalming agent. Cinnamon remains a popular spice and, at the same time, a popular staple of natural cures and home remedies.
