The Medicinal Benefits Of Cinnamon
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum) is a herb used by herbalists for treating problem related to stomach, throat, heart and skin. It means sweet wood in Greek language and indeed it’s a sweet herb that is used in cooking. It is taken from the inner bark of an evergreen native tree of Sri lanka and Egypt. In ancient times, cinnamon was considered more expensive than gold. It was considered as the best gift that a citizen could give to his monarch.
It was used by ancient herbalists for treating gastric problems, cold and cough, flu, infection in urinary tract, diabetes etc. This herb got popularity in the beginning of 15th century. It is now used by medical scientists and herbalists to treat diarrhea, nausea, queasiness, indigestion, colic, nose bleeding and excess discharge in menstrual period.
For its best use it should be used in a proper way. First step of its preparation is to dry the inner bark, then scroll it and cut this scroll into sticks of 2-3 inches. Grind it to make powder. Its powder is more aromatic than its sticks. Due to its strong aroma, you should use a little amount of this powder in your dishes for taste.
Two types of cinnamon are available in market. 1st is cinnamomum Verum and 2nd is Cinnamomum Aromaticum or Cassia. Cinnamomum Verum is grown in Sri lanka and Southren India. Yellowish brown color of cinnamon is prefered by consumers and this colour is found in cinnamomum verum only. It is considered to be of best quality and is preffered in european countries for its sweet taste but it is a little bit costly. On the other hand, Cinnamomum Aromaticum or Cassia that is grown in China, Indonesia and Vietnam is less expensive and less popular. Its color is grayish brown.
Cinnamon is helpful in treating gastric problems and diarrhea. It is also helpful in curing morning sickness. Cinnamon also helps in curing preblems related to urinary tract. Due to its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, cinnamon is helpful in rermoving infections of unrinary tract. It is also helpful in controlling sugar level in the body. It makes fat cells of our body more responsive to insulin and to the harmones that control sugar metabolism. In this way cinnamon controls sugar metabolism and thus controls glucose level in the blood. One pinch of cinnamon powder daily is sufficent for controlling diabetes.
Due to its anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic and anti-fungal properties, cinnamon is helpful in protecting body against many infections. It is helpful in treating cold and cough. For better results, it is seggested that cinnamon should be consumed with ginger. It is useful in preventing head lice and acts as a pain killer also. It is a wonder herb as far as muscular pains are concerned.
Its anti-inflamatory, anti spasmodic, and anti-clotting components make it helpful in treating rheumatic and other inflammations. It is helpful in treating patients of nausea, stomach cramps, intestinal spasms and stomach ulcers.