Cinnamon – Healing Properties and Uses

Cinnamon is highly sought after during the Christmas season - The dried bark of the cinnamon tree. Unfortunately, we mostly consume it only during Christmas and in some coffees, but this tree bark has a lot to offer. Cinnamon can be helpful for regulating blood pressure, combating diabetes, and aiding weight loss.

 

Cinnamon comes in two forms, Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon is mainly harvested in China from the tree Cinnamonum cassia. Compared to Ceylon cinnamon, it usually tastes stronger and sweeter. Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), primarily grown in Sri Lanka, is considered the best variety with a distinctive aroma.

The history of cinnamon goes back several thousand years. In the Middle Ages, cinnamon was used to fight the bubonic plague, and in ancient Egypt, pharaohs were embalmed with it. At that time, cinnamon was considered more valuable than gold – which says a lot.

 

The typical aroma of cinnamon comes from cinnamaldehyde. However, the spiciness inherent in cinnamon comes from another compound – eugenol.

Cinnamon is often used to extract its essential oil, which is contained in the bark at up to 4%. The essential oil consists of up to 75% cinnamaldehyde and up to 10% eugenol. Ceylon cinnamon clearly has higher amounts of eugenol compared to Cassia cinnamon.

Interestingly, the cinnamon bark also contains mucilage and sugar. Tannins are also important for the health-promoting properties, with up to 3% tannins possibly present in cinnamon.

Cinnamon can have an unpleasant side effect. Cheaper Cassia cinnamon varieties often contain a lot of coumarin. Coumarin is considered harmful to health if consumed in high amounts over a long period. For long-term cinnamon consumption, you should therefore opt for Ceylon cinnamon or low-coumarin Cassia cinnamon varieties.

 

Cinnamon could, among other things, lower blood sugar. The story behind this possible effect of cinnamon is quite amusing: Researchers studied how much certain foods raise blood sugar levels. However, an apple strudel with generous amounts of cinnamon caused confusion because the blood sugar level rose only unexpectedly slightly. It didn’t take long before cinnamon was identified as the cause. [1]

This experience was followed up in a trial with diabetics who did not yet need insulin injections but were taking medication. The groups that took cinnamon showed a more favorable blood sugar progression than the control groups. [2]

By possibly regulating blood sugar, cinnamon can also help with weight loss. If blood sugar levels do not rise and fall too sharply, for example, cravings can be avoided. This means cinnamon could also have an effect on the psyche.

By the way, cinnamon chewing gum is not a bad invention. Studies have found indications that cinnamon can improve cognitive performance. So cinnamon chewing gum can be quite helpful during exams. [3]

 

The Ceylon cinnamon tree is evergreen and can grow up to 18 meters tall. The brownish bark already smells aromatic with cinnamaldehyde. Branches look cylindrical and are usually white-spotted. Young, newly formed leaves appear reddish before turning green. The tree also produces smaller, nut-like fruits.

Sources:

[1] Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes

[2] Effect of cinnamon on postprandial blood glucose, gastric emptying, and satiety in healthy subjects

[3] Effectiveness of cinnamon chewing gum on memory and anxiety among adolescents at selected seventh day adventist high schools, Andhra Pradesh