Cinnamon - The Spice Of Life

When the mother in the old days put a piece of cinnamon bark in the pocket of your child, I would do it with a special purpose. Specifically, they wanted to protect their youngsters from colds and infections. In folk medicine, cinnamon is still used against colds and disinfection, and recent scientific studies have further revealed a number of medicinal properties of cinnamon. The most important finding is that cinnamon for about 25% reduces blood sugar levels of diabetics

Cimetovac (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is 6-12 m vi ¬ falcon tropical wood from the laurel family (Lauraceae). It is an evergreen tree whose leaves are ovate initially red, later becoming leathery and green, above the bright and brighter on the reverse. Cinnamon flowers are yellow-white, and appear at the ends of branches collected in combed inflorescence. From them grow fruits - dark berries like the olives. The fruits are edible, but out of them gets wax scented lamp.


The flowers unpleasant and pleasant odors bark

The flowers have a cinnamon smell, but because the bark, leaves and fruits of a pleasant aroma. Especially fragrant crust is that since Biblical times used as an aromatic spice. To obtain cinnamon, sweet spice, fine fragrance, use the dried inner bark of the young trees and thin branches. Once the bark peeled off, outer crust is thrown, and the inside dry. During drying, the inner bark of the twists in the sticks in diameter and 2.5 cm. This, in bars, or in the form of powder, cinnamon comes on the market.

Ceylon cinnamon and cassia

Cinnamon comes from Southeast Asia, from Ceylon and China, but grown in Java, India, Indonesia, Brazil and Egypt and exported to almost all countries of the world, there are easily more than 100 species of cinnamon, the two most important types are Sinhalese cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and cassia (Cinnamomum cassia). Cassius is the kind that is most commonly found in our stores, and has a sharp and annoying flavor, strong aroma and a lower price than Ceylon cinnamon. To obtain cassia intersect the branches and small trees that sticks a rougher texture, while Ceylon cinnamon sticks lighter in color, mild and warm aroma, intense flavor and fine texture.

Cinnamon centuries

Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices. Its use as a spice and as a medicine, goes far back in history. The first records of it dating from about 2700 BC, where it is described in one of the oldest books on the use of herbs in Chinese medicine. It is mentioned in the Bible and in the writings of Herodotus and other ancient classical writers.
Even the ancient Egyptians enriched with cinnamon flavor of many foods and beverages, treat a variety of diseases, and used it as a means for embalming. The Romans used it for making love potions and perfumes, and at one time was so revered that it is even considered more precious than gold. Need for cinnamon throughout history were so many that they have launched numerous research trips. In addition, cinnamon is in the Middle Ages was one of the first commodities to be exchanged between Europe and the Middle East.

Healing properties of cinnamon

Their medicinal properties of cinnamon can thank the three basic components and essential oils that are found in its bark: cinnamic aldehyde, acetate and alcohol. In addition to the essential oil, which is in the inner bark has at least 1-2%, bark contains tannins and sugar. Of minerals, cinnamon abundant manganese, iron, calcium, copper and zinc, and is an excellent source of vitamins B2, B6, C and K. The energy value of 100 g of cinnamon is as high as 261 kcal, with a share of about 4% protein, 80% carbohydrate and only 3% of fat. Outer bark has no medicinal properties, but only its inner layer. Because of the abundance of medicinal properties, cinnamon is not recommended as the only essential ingredient for desserts and foods that are consumed daily. Except that stimulates the appetite and improves digestion, cinnamon purifies the blood, strengthens the heart, improves kidney function better and calms the nerves. Cinnamon has a beneficial effect on the bones and joints, stops internal bleeding and neutralize harmful free radicals. Cinnamon has a fungicidal effect, which means that destroys fungus and prevents their growth. In traditional Chinese medicine, cinnamon is regarded as a remedy for colds and flu, which is a credit to the impact of volatile components and the thermal effect on the body. Specifically, cinnamon contained salicylic acid which lowers fever and have analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity.

New scientific discoveries of cinnamon

Ancient use cinnamon as a medicine has aroused interest and modern medicine for this spice. In recent years launched a number of scientific studies have been amazing discoveries. Thus, for example, found that cinnamon is very effective against diabetes because the daily dose of just half a teaspoon of cinnamon for about 25% reduces blood sugar levels. The active ingredient in cinnamon known as MHCP, mimics insulin, activates its receptor and acting in concert with him in the cell, thus reducing blood sugar levels. Many obese people suffer from high blood sugar levels, which results in a strong hunger pangs. Cinnamon and here helps: lowers blood sugar and bad LDL cholesterol in the blood and so helps in weight loss.

Scientifically also found that cinnamon prevents excessive blood clotting, which can have harmful effects. In addition, cinnamon reduces blood fat that is bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, and thus the risk of heart disease and blood vessels. Cinnamon has the quality of stopping the growth of bacteria and fungi, including Candida problematic for many.

The unusual discovery scientists are also studying the effects of cinnamon come to mind. Studies have shown that occasionally inhaling scents of cinnamon and peppermint increases alertness behind the wheel and reduces anxiety and frustration among drivers who daily cross the same car shares. In addition, the spicy smell of cinnamon stimulates the brain, improves concentration, visual memory and speed of reaction.

Remedies and application of cinnamon

• Head: Cinnamon helps against headaches and migraines.
• Oral Cavity: Cinnamon disinfects lining the mouth and gums, removes bad breath and put on sick tooth, helps against toothache.
• Respiratory organs: Cinnamon soothes cough, facilitates expectoration and helps against sore throat, hoarseness, colds, flu, bronchitis and pneumonia.
• Heart: Cinnamon strengthens the heart, improves heart function better and protect against heart attacks.
• Blood vessels: Cinnamon strengthens the walls of blood vessels and improves blood circulation.
• Blood: Cinnamon purifies the blood, prevents blood clotting, reduce blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood and helps prevent excessive blood pressure.
• Indigestion: Cinnamon stimulates appetite, improves digestion and helps prevent digestive problems, particularly nausea and vomiting.
• Stomach: Cinnamon strengthens the stomach, soothe inflammation of the stomach lining and helps against increased stomach acid, gastritis and ulcers.
• Hoses: Cinnamon promotes better bowel function, soothe inflammation of the lining of the intestines and stops diarrhea.
• The kidneys and bladder: Cinnamon promotes better functioning of the kidneys and urine excretion, urinary system disinfects and protects against infection.
• Gynecology: Cinnamon helps prevent excessive menstruation.
• Bones and joints: Cinnamon soothes inflammation and relieves pain in bones and joints, and helps against rheumatism, arthritis and gout.
• Muscles: Cinnamon relieves pain and muscle spasms.
• Mental disorders: Cinnamon soothes and strengthens the nerves and improves concentration.
• Skin: Cinnamon disinfects the skin, tightens the tissue and stops bleeding and helps prevent fungus.