Herbs, Plants, Trees and Roots | May, 2012

You entered Chinese Cinnamon, the more common name is...

Besides using it in cooking, cinnamon is also thought to have health benefits. <br />
In traditional Chinese medicine, Cassia cinnamon is used for colds, flatulence, nausea, diarrhea, and painful menstrual periods. It's also believed to improve energy, vitality, and circulation and be particularly useful for people who tend to feel hot in their upper body but have cold feet.<br />
It's a common ingredient in chai tea, and it is believed to improve the digestion of fruit, milk and other dairy products.<br />
Recent studies have found that cinnamon may have a beneficial effect on blood sugar.<br />
Always use a little oil with the cinnamon powder, coconut oil works well.  Try stirring cinnamon into a little coconut oil and taking it straight as a serious dose, or coconut oil, cinnamon and honey allowed to chill slightly makes a wonderful spread on a slice of toast!<br />

Cinnamon

SCIENTIFIC NAME:
(Cinnamomum )


It is a genus of evergreen aromatic trees and shrubs belonging to the Laurel family, Lauraceae. The species of Cinnamomum have aromatic oils in their leaves and bark. The characteristic flavor and aroma of cinnamon comes from a compound in the essential oil of the bark called cinnamonaldehyde.

Although there are four main varieties of cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon are the most popular.

Ceylon cinnamon is sometimes called true cinnamon. It is more expensive and has a sweet taste. The quills are softer and can be easily ground in a coffee grinder. Ceylon cinnamon is sold in specialty stores.

Most cinnamon sold in supermarkets in North America comes from the less expensive variety, Cassia cinnamon. It has a darker color and the quills are harder. Unlike Ceylon cinnamon, it can't be easily ground into a powder using a coffee grinder.



Common Names:

Cinnamon Bark, Ceylon Cinnamon, Cassia Cinnamon, Chinese Cinnamon


Cinnamon

Uses:

Besides using it in cooking, cinnamon is also thought to have health benefits.
In traditional Chinese medicine, Cassia cinnamon is used for colds, flatulence, nausea, diarrhea, and painful menstrual periods. It's also believed to improve energy, vitality, and circulation and be particularly useful for people who tend to feel hot in their upper body but have cold feet.
It's a common ingredient in chai tea, and it is believed to improve the digestion of fruit, milk and other dairy products.
Recent studies have found that cinnamon may have a beneficial effect on blood sugar.
Always use a little oil with the cinnamon powder, coconut oil works well. Try stirring cinnamon into a little coconut oil and taking it straight as a serious dose, or coconut oil, cinnamon and honey allowed to chill slightly makes a wonderful spread on a slice of toast!



Applications:

Tea:
It can be taken as a tea but to make it more bio-available, consuming a little fat/oil with it is suggested. To this effect a classic ‘Yogi Tea’ is a good idea as it is made with hot milk (use real milk – not the non-fat stuff).

Capsule:
Follow dosage on bottle.

Eating:
Add to your favorite desserts, smoothies, hot cocoa, even to some main dishes.


Warnings:

Cinnamon can also be found in a concentrated oil form that comes from cinnamon bark. Some of these products are not intended for consumption, but instead are used for aromatherapy essential oils. Also, the oil is highly potent and an overdose can depress the central nervous system. People should not take the oil to treat a condition unless under the close supervision of a qualified health professional.

With any herb, there is the risk of an allergic reaction. Small children and pregnant women should use additional caution when considering the use of herbal remedies.