Ceylon Cinnamon – a Remedy from Ancient Times

You are surely already familiar with cinnamon and have tasted it, but in this article, we will show you that besides its rich aroma, it also hides many beneficial properties.

September 1, 2021 3 min

You're probably already familiar with cinnamon and have tasted it, but in this article, we'll show you that beyond its rich aroma, it also possesses many beneficial properties.

But let's start with its origin…
Ceylon cinnamon is extracted from the bark of Cinnamomum trees, which grow mainly in Southeast Asia. Today, Sri Lanka is its largest producer, providing 80-90% of the world's cinnamon. It is one of the oldest spices in the world, having been repeatedly mentioned in the Bible as an ingredient used in anointing oil. At that time, cinnamon was even more expensive than gold.

An interesting fact is that cinnamon is attributed with so many beneficial qualities that it could be considered a panacea. Among the problems successfully alleviated by the aromatic spice are elevated cholesterol and blood sugar, menstrual pain, nausea, stomach gas, diarrhea, worms, bad breath, bedwetting, hernia, cramps, erectile dysfunction, fungi, and heartburn.

How does cinnamon work?
It also helps balance blood sugar by stimulating insulin receptors, which gives them a stronger affinity for the hormone that lowers blood glucose. As a result, the body produces less insulin to achieve the desired effect. This reduces the strain on the pancreas, improves metabolism, and limits inflammation. Cinnamon also slows the rate at which the stomach empties after a meal, leading to a smaller rise in blood sugar. The powerful essential oils in Ceylon cinnamon (cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate, and cinnamyl alcohol) are known for their antimicrobial properties. Cinnamaldehyde blocks the release of inflammatory agents from cell membranes. Therefore, cinnamon is particularly effective in stopping the growth of bacteria and fungi. Cinnamon is second in antioxidant content among all spices, making it a powerful immune stimulant. It is also a natural antibiotic and has bactericidal action. For this reason, it is also used in food preservation. Last but not least, the aroma of cinnamon improves memory and concentration. 🙂

Although very beneficial, cinnamon should not be overused. The recommended dose is half a teaspoon daily.

Types of Cinnamon
The familiar rolled cinnamon sticks are the scraped and dried bark of the cinnamon tree. Basically, there are two varieties – Ceylon cinnamon and cassia. The latter smells sharper, is sweeter, and has a coarser appearance. Most of the cinnamon sold commercially is cassia, known as cinnamon's "Chinese sister" or a lower-grade cinnamon. Its noble variety, which is actually true cinnamon, comes mainly from Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Its scent is finer but also very rich. You'll recognize it by the fact that its bark "sticks" are more yellowish, more delicate, and appear porous. An important advantage of Ceylon cinnamon is that it contains much less coumarin than cassia.

What is coumarin?
Coumarin is a substance that damages the blood. It is found in various plants such as licorice, lavender, apricots, and cherries. It is used in perfumery and cosmetics due to its light vanilla aroma, but in large doses, it is toxic to the liver, kidneys, and nervous system.

Cinnamon Lip Gloss?
We often find this ingredient in lip products, and this is not just due to the cinnamon aroma. The spice makes the lips slightly plump and appear more seductive. This is because of the cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon, which blocks the release of inflammatory agents from cell membranes.

Ceylon Cinnamon for a Slim Figure
The combination of honey and Ceylon cinnamon, besides being delicious, is also used for weight loss, and the recipe is simple. It's prepared in minutes and can be stored in the refrigerator for 24 hours or more, and if you want it completely fresh, you can prepare a dose of the mixture every morning.

You will need: 1 tsp natural honey, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 1 cup water. Pour boiling water over the cinnamon, strain, and divide into two. After it cools, add the honey. Drink one part 30 minutes before breakfast, and the other before bed, without reheating it.

Honey is added when the liquid has cooled, so that its enzymes and beneficial elements are not destroyed. 🙂

The explanation for the positive effect of honey and cinnamon for weight loss lies in the fact that the mixture prevents the accumulation of fats in the body and cleanses the gastrointestinal tract. This "tandem" also has powerful antiparasitic properties. By removing parasites, the body, free of toxins, quickly returns to its normal state, which also leads to weight normalization.