Phenotypic description of
cinnamon
Cinnamon
cassia is an evergreen shrub or small tree with dark, leathery,
aromatic, veined leaves, numerous inconspicuous yellow flowers, and blackish
fruits. It is native to southern China. It is widely grown there. It is also
grown in South and Southeast Asia. The tree grows to a height of 10-15 meters,
has solid gray bark, and longitudinal leaves that are reddish in color. When
the leaves are small, they are used as tea.
Uses of cinnamon in cooking
Cinnamon
is primarily used as an aromatic spice and flavor additive in a variety of
foods, sweet and savory dishes. It is also used an additive in breakfast
cereals, snack foods, teas and traditional foods. As one of the most popular
baking spices in the world, cinnamon is often used in desserts. From apple or
pumpkin pie to raisin bread, It adds a good flavor to
desserts. Cinnamon rolls retain their flavor for a long time, while ground
materials lose their flavor quickly. If they are not stored in an airtight
container in a cool, dry place.
Cassia
cinnamon gives a strong, spicy flavor and is often used in baking. They are
usually medium to light reddish brown, hard and woody in texture, and [2-3 mm]
thick, as all layers of bark are used. In Ceylon cinnamon, only the thin inner
bark is used. It is light brown in color and has a softer, less dense and more
crumbly texture. Ceylon cinnamon is delicate and its flavor is more aromatic
than cassia, but it loses much of its flavor during cooking.
The health importance of cinnamon
Cinnamon
has been used for thousands of years in folk medicine. It is rich in
antioxidants that help the body fight infection with microorganisms. The
antioxidants of Cinnamon also treat heart disease, diabetes, respiratory
diseases, and even cancer, in addition to its benefits for the skin. Below
are some of the uses of cinnamon in folk medicine
- Treating viral, bacterial and fungal infections
Cinnamon
has antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. It contains
antioxidants with anti-inflammatory effects
- Improve heart health
Cinnamon
oil is extracted from the leaves and has many health benefits. Cinnamon oil
improves the health of the heart and circulatory system by improving blood flow
in the body and blood circulation in general. It is also reduces the chances of
having a heart attack or angina. It also protects against various heart
diseases.
- Protection against cancer
Because
cinnamon oil contains various antioxidants, consuming a little cinnamon oil daily may help protect against cancer.
- Reducing blood sugar
Cinnamon
helps lower blood sugar. It reduces the amount of sugar that enters the
bloodstream after a meal by slowing down the process of assimilation of
carbohydrates in the digestive system. It also has beneficial effects on people
with type 2 diabetes because it may mimic the effects of insulin to improve the
absorption of sugar into cells.
-
Anti-inflammatory and joint and muscle pain
Cinnamon
oil helps relieve inflammation and pain in the joints and muscles due to its
anti-inflammatory properties. And it is especially beneficial for patients with
rheumatoid arthritis. It also helps relieve the pain of osteoporosis patients
by massaging the painful areas with a few warmed drops mixed with coconut oil.
- Preventing urinary tract infections and reproductive infections
Cinnamon
oil has the ability to regulate and improve kidney functions. This regulation prevents
the accumulation of toxins in the body. It also helps to reduce the severity of
inflammation in the genital area. It also prevents various urinary tract infections
by taking a bath of warm water that contains drops of cinnamon oil and tea tree
oil.
- Treating back, neck and joint pain
Cinnamon
oil helps relieve all kinds of pain in general, including back, neck, and joint
pain, by directly massaging the affected areas with warm oil mixed with other
oils. It is also useful in relieving tooth and gum pain when used topically,
like clove oil. In addition, it relieves headache by dripping a few drops on
the pillow where the affected person sleeps, or by perfuming the room with it.
- Reducing menstrual pain
Cinnamon
oil reduces various menstrual problems. It is also considered a natural
contraceptive. In addition, it increases sexual desire in men and women alike
- Treating psychological problems
Cinnamon
oil is one of the wonderful natural ingredients that works naturally to reduce
and alleviate respiratory problems. Cinnamon oil helps relieve the symptoms of
colds, influenza, and throat infections. Inhaling it helps relieve the
accumulation of phlegm in the respiratory tract and prevents its accumulation
again.
- Improves memory
Cinnamon
oil improves brain function and concentration, reduces anxiety. It also improves
memory and productivity. It helps lose excess weight, adds a beautiful scent to
the mouth, and treats indigestion.
- Benefits of cinnamon for the skin
Cinnamon
oil is widely used for various aesthetic purposes, including: combating acne,
accelerating skin and skin healing after injury, accelerating hair growth, and
enlarging lips naturally.
For
more information about the health benefits of cinnamon, watch the attached video.
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