Cinnamon has been used since medieval times for its numerous benefits.
It was highly prized in ancient times and it was even used for embalming mummies in ancient Egypt. Cinnamon comes from the inside of the bark of tropical trees of which it is peeled. It can be used as sticks, powder (made from grinding cinnamon sticks), oil and extracts.
There are two main types of cinnamon.
Ceylon cinnamon, that is native to Sri Lanka and is more expensive. It is usually referred to as “true cinnamon”. Cassia cinnamon, a cheaper type that is widely used.
Cinnamon has numerous benefits.
Powerful Antioxidant
Cinnamon acts as a powerful antioxidant. It was found to contain a higher antioxidant content than many herbs and spices famous for their healthy effect. The antioxidants fight oxidative stress in the body caused by free radicals. This slows down the process of aging as well as protects from serious diseases such as cancer.
Type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases
Cinnamon improves the blood glucose level and can thus helps with type 2 diabetes. It was also found to reduce the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood and can thus protect from heart diseases.
Anti-fungal and Anti-bacterial properties
Cinnamon has potent anti-fungal properties such as stopping the overgrowth of Candida Albicans in the digestive tract. It also boosts the immunity and so the body can further fight off candida in the digestive tract, the oral cavity and the vagina.
Cinnamon was also found to prevent the growth of certain types of bacteria. The anti-bacterial properties of cinnamon make it a natural mouthwash that can guarantee fresh breaths. It kills the bacteria living in the mouth and can thus treat and prevent tooth decay and mouth sores.
The antiseptic properties of cinnamon can be used in case of wounds. Adding a small amount of cinnamon powder to a wound can kill bacteria which will promote a faster wound healing.
Skin health
Cinnamon was proved to promote skin health. Mixtures of cinnamon oil and olive oil were found to improve fine lines. Also, mixtures of cinnamon and honey were effectively used for conditions such as eczema and acne.
Adding cinnamon to the daily diet was discovered to improve the skin condition. It eliminates toxins from the body and thus prevents them from clogging the pores. The result is a better-toned skin. Cinnamon oil is a great choice for massage.
Preservative
Cinnamon can be used to preserve foods due to its antimicrobial properties and its content of potent antioxidants. It can be employed to preserve foods without the need of using artificial preservatives. It was found to prevent the discoloration of fruits.
Cinnamon can prevent neurodegenerative diseases
Cinnamon was observed to have a promising potential in case of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease, cinnamon is known to contain two compounds that prevent the accumulation of the tau protein, which is the hallmark of the disease. It can shield the body from neurodegeneration by protecting the brain cells from mutation.
Cinnamon has many benefits in the long run. It is recommended to increase our daily intake of this herb or spice. It can be added to tea and coffee for consumption. It can be sprinkled over toast and other baked products. It can be used to sweeten the drinks instead of sugar and without adding more calories to your diet.
Also, there are cinnamon capsules that can be administered by mouth. Using cinnamon as much as possible in our recipes is highly recommended. It is also advisable to prepare mixtures containing cinnamon for cosmetic purposes.