There is no Christmas without use of Cinnamon in cooking. Cinnamon is used in Christmas baking, added to mulled wine or hot chocolate. However, we may not realise that by consuming Cinnamon and in particular during Christmas we also experience a lot of health benefits as discussed below.
Traditional use of Cinnamon
Cinnamon is the Christmas spice
Cinnamon has been known since remote antiquity. It is native to Sri Lanka, formerly known by the colonial name
Ceylon. Other common names include true cinnamon (verum means true) and Sri Lanka, or Ceylon, cinnamon. It
also grows throughout India, Bangladesh, Java, Sumatra,West Indies, Brazil, Egypt and Vietnam.
This small, evergreen, tropical tree reaches 10 to 15 metres in height and is covered with a thick, scabrous bark. The
branches are numerous, strong, horizontal and declining, and the young shoots are speckled with dark green and
light orange colours. Cinnamon sticks are made from the bark of the tree and are rolled naturally into a quill shape when the bark is sun-dried. The oil is traditionally prepared by roughly pounding the bark, macerating it in seawater, and then quickly distilling the whole. It is of a golden-yellow colour with the characteristic odour of cinnamon and a very hot, aromatic taste.
Cinnamon has a long history of use as a culinary spice in many cultures. In addition to its culinary uses, in
native Ayurvedic medicine cinnamon is considered a remedy for respiratory, digestive and gynaecological
ailments. Cinnamon’s history as a medicinal plant goes as far back as the Ancient Egyptians and Chinese.
As the availability across Europe increased it was then adopted by herbalists for medicinal uses. It was
traditionally used as a flavoring agent and digestive tonic in cases of diarrhoea, anorexia and dyspepsia. It
was also used for rheumatism and menstrual disorders. Not to be confused with cassia (Cinnamomum cassia
(L.) J.Presl or synonym Cinnamomum aromaticum Nees) which is cheaper, has a stronger flavor and is
often marketed as ‘cinnamon’.
Cinnamon has many many mechanisms of actions:
Lowers sugar level and insulin, antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, immunomodulator,
astringent, antidiarrhoeal, carminative and lowers cholesterol.
Cinnamon is indicated in:
- Digestive disorders including flatulent dyspepsia, nausea and diarrhea
- Bacterial and viral infections including the common cold and influenza
- Fungal infections including tinea pedis and candida
- Diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome
- Elevated cholesterol
- Possible cancer prophylaxis and treatment adjuvant
- Oxidative stress and inflammatory disorders
So please do not forget to add a generous amount of Cinnamon to your cooking as food is the best medicine.
If you would like to know more about how the DH-Natural Medicine Clinic can help you, please call us now on (02) 4854 0205
Danuta Hulajko is a holistic practitioner, international speaker and the founder & practitioner at the DH Natural Medicine Clinic and www.healingremedies.com.au in the Southern Highlands.
Danuta specialises in Allergies, Anti-Aging, Auto-Immune Conditions, Cardiovascular Conditions, Female Reproductive, Menopause, Mould Toxicity, Skin Conditions, Stress and Insomnia and Thyroid Dysfunction.
For more information please go to our website. You can also follow Danuta Hulajko’s work, events, seminars, expos, latest health research, her health tips and advice on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
