Cinnamon, Cinnamomum zeylanicum

Cinnamon was used in ancient Egypt for embalming. In ancient times, Cinnamon was added to food to prevent spoiling. During the Bubonic Plague, sponges were soaked in cinnamon & cloves and placed in sick rooms. Cinnamon was the most sought after spice during explorations of the 15th and 16th centuries. It has also been burned as an incense. The smell of Cinnamon is pleasant, stimulates the senses, yet calms the nerves. It's smell is reputed to attract customers to a place of business.

Cinnamon is also known by the names Cassia, Sweet Wood, and Gui Zhi. The common name Cinnamon encompasses many varieties, including Cinnamomum cassia and Cinamomum saigonicum, which are used interchangeably with Cinnamomum zeylanicum. The parts of the plant used are the inner bark and twigs.

Cinnamons primary properties are antibacterial, antifungal, aphrodisiac, carminative, digestive tonic, diuretic, and stimulant. The primary known constituents include cinnamaldehyde, gum, tannin, mannitol, coumarins, and essential oils (aldehydes, eugenol, pinene). Cinnamon is generally available as a tea, tincture, and capsules.

Historical culinary uses include apple dishes, baked goods, chocolate, coffee, curries, French toast, eggnog, teas, pickles, puddings, rice dishes, and wine.

Hot apple cider just doesn't taste the same without a Cinnamon stick. And toast, cookies, candies and fruit salads-not to mention cappuccino-all benefit from a generous sprinkling of its sweet powder. But cinnamon's most popular work isn't as a kitchen spice. This herb has been used medicinally for thousands of years to fight tooth decay, clear up urinary tract
infections and soothe stomach irritation.

Ancient Chinese herbal references cite its uses as early as 2700 BC and Chinese herbalists still recommend it for relieving nausea, fever, diarrhea, and menstrual problems. Modern herbalists disagree on its ability to aid in menstrual difficulties; some think it stimulates uterine contractions, while others believe it calms the muscle.

Barking Up the Right Tree:

You won't find a Cinnamon tree in your backyard if you live in the United States. Most Cinnamon comes from Asia and the West Indies. To harvest the spice, collectors strip the aromatic bark form branches of trees no more than 3 years old. These strips are what we know as Cinnamon sticks.

Healing with Cinnamon:

Here's how to put Cinnamon's medicinal powers to work for you. This fragrant spice:

• Fights tooth decay: Several toothpastes are cinnamon-flavored-for good reason. "Cinnamon is an antiseptic that helps kill the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease," says Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D., director of the American Phytotherapy Research Laboratory in Salt Lake City and author of The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine. Cinnamon also kills many disease-causing fungi and viruses. Cinnamon toothpastes can be found at supermarkets, drugstores and health-food stores.
• Soothes upset stomach: Like many culinary spices, Cinnamon helps calm the stomach. But a Japanese study of animals revealed that this spice may also help prevent ulcers. To brew a stomach-soothing tea, use ? to ? teaspoon of powdered Cinnamon per cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 to 20 minutes. Drink up to three cups day.
• Clears up urinary-tract infections: One German study showed that Cinnamon "suppresses completely" the cause of most urinary-tract infections (Escherichia coli bacteria) and the fungus responsible for vaginal yeast infections (Candida albicans).
• Allows diabetics to use less insulin: Some studies have shown that Cinnamon helps people with diabetes metabolize sugar better. In adult-onset (Type II) diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin, but the body can't use it efficiently to break down blood sugar. Researchers discovered that Cinnamon reduces the amount of insulin necessary for glucose metabolism. "One-eighth of a teaspoon of cinnamon triples insulin efficiency," say James A. Duke, Ph.D., a botanist retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and author of The CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Dr. Duke suggest that people with adult-onset diabetes discuss Cinnamon's benefits with their doctor. Taking ? to ? teaspoon of ground Cinnamon with each meal may help control blood sugar levels.

Safety Considerations:

The amounts of Cinnamon normally used in food are non-toxic, although some people experience allergic reactions after eating this spice.

Cinnamon oil is a different story. Applied to the skin, it may cause redness and burning. Taken internally, it can cause nausea, vomiting and possibly even kidney damage. Never ingest Cinnamon oil.

Culinary Cinnamon is on the Food and Drug Administration's list of herbs generally regarded as safe. For otherwise healthy non-pregnant adults, there's no danger from medicinal doses.