Cinnamon is one of the world’s oldest known spices, dating back to the ancient Egyptians who used it not only as medicine but as an embalming agent along with other spices. Traditionally used for digestive ailments among many other things,
today it is one of the most beloved and ubiquitous of culinary spices. It’s used all around the world to enhance the sweetness and warmth of dishes. However, it is also incredibly therapeutic, and science continues to verify many of the earlier traditional uses for it.
What Makes Cinnamon so Special?
There are two types of Cinnamon, one is often referred to as ‘true’ Cinnamon which is the Cinnamomum verum cultivated in Sri Lanka, and the other is Cinnamomum cassia which is usually what we find when we purchase it in our supermarkets, or eat on our Cinnamon doughnuts. There has recently been some controversy over the superiority of ‘true Cinnamon’, however both types contain very similar amounts of the main active constituent Cinnamaldehyde, which makes up approximately 80-90% of the spice and is the main contributor to its therapeutic action. Both types also contain cinnamic acide, cinnamate, and volatile oils comprising of several polyphenols such as anthocyanidins and epicatechins.
Soothes an Upset Stomach:
Cinnamon is a carminative herb – this refers to its ability to break down air or gas that has become trapped in the intestines, thus helping to relieve mild abdominal discomfort caused by excess gas. Its traditional use as a digestive herb has uncovered its beneficial effects on a wide range of ailments including flatulence, bloating, loss of appetite, and diarrhoea. These carminative properties can be of further significant use when working synergistically with Cinnamon’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions – making it a wonderfully effective digestive tonic.
A Blood Sugar Regulator:
Time and time again, cinnamon has demonstrated significant blood glucose modulating effects through a substance called ‘insulin-potentiating factor’, which increases glucose utilization. It has been suggested that the regular intake of cinnamon can help reduce serum glucose, as well as triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in healthy individuals, thus having the ability to improve the whole metabolic picture and solidifying its traditional use as a hypoglycaemic agent.