According to historical information, European researchers discovered the island of Ceylon in the 16th century, where trees grew called "cinnamon". Their bark in a dried form, richly impregnated with essential oils and is a famous seasoning. Nevertheless, it was used long before the European expansion into America. Historians give examples of references to cinnamon still by the inhabitants of ancient Rome and Egypt, it also occurs in the Jewish chronicles. The earliest mention is 2000 BC. It is believed that the Chinese rulers of that time actively exported the spice to Egypt. Where it grew and how it got to the pharaohs is a mystery.
Scope of cinnamon
After thousands of years - nothing has changed. In ancient times, spices were used in food, as a flavor, in medicine. Absolutely the same its application now. As a spice, it is added to a wide variety of products: chocolate, alcoholic beverages, ice cream, meat, fruit and vegetables. Excellent, it has proven itself for the preparation of marinades and in conservation.
Perfumers found spices application in perfume. With the help of special technologies they extract essential oil from the bark of the tree, which is one of the components of perfumes.
Finally - medicine. Probably the widest application: ointments, tinctures, teas, aromatherapy, all this became possible due to the proven therapeutic properties, which we will talk about below.
Therapeutic properties of cinnamon: composition
To better understand the benefits of spice, let's figure out what the cinnamon consists of:
- Essential oils - consist of 80% of cinnamaldehyde. Oil is prescribed a beneficial effect on the body as a whole, as well as more specific properties: it stimulates blood circulation, improves metabolism, helps with colds;
- Tannins - have pronounced properties that help to fight with bleeding and inflammation;
- Polyphenol - a natural insulin, helps with diabetes and has a number of other qualities;
- Eugenol is an antiseptic, one of the main components used in perfumery.
The use of spices in traditional medicine is quite diverse, since the spice has many features. In Asia, often, it can be used as a remedy against bacteria, replacing standard antiseptic drugs. She falls asleep to the damaged skin. But traditionally, tinctures from spice are used to treat colds, strengthen immunity and cardiovascular system.
Benefits and Harms of Cinnamon: Recipes and Cautions
Of course, the benefit of this product is and is proved not only by doctors, but also by time. Thousands of years old people used cinnamon, praising its qualities. Today it continues to be popular. Here are a couple of interesting recipes:
- From colds and to facilitate breathing: 1 tablespoon of honey mixed with half a teaspoon of seasoning, diluted in a glass of hot water. Drink such a drink 2 times a day for a week;
- Get rid of bad smell from the mouth: the recipe is the same, but the amount of cinnamon is increased to 1 tsp. dilute in a glass of warm water and rinse the mouth cavity in the morning.
In addition, you can take as a rule to add a pinch of spice to coffee, tea, food. Long-term use will significantly strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Nevertheless, despite the benefits, you need to be careful, especially when choosing a bag of spices, carefully studying where it is made. It's all about the substance content of coumarin. In Ceylon grades, it is minimal, and in "fake" cinnamon can reach 2 grams per kilogram. Kumarin causes cancer and in large quantities can lead to liver damage, kidney damage, severe headaches.