The sweetness of life can be
healing too. Cinnamon has so many health
benefits I don’t know where to begin! Cinnamon
is one of the most delicious and healthiest spices on the planet. It has been shown to lower blood sugar levels,
reduce heart disease risk factors, fight cancer, and help with
neurological disorders. It's also stronger than garlic as an antimicrobial, killing
off bacteria and viruses. Just make sure to get Ceylon cinnamon, or stick to
small doses if you're using the Cassia
variety.
In a study that compared the antioxidant activity of 26 spices, cinnamon was the clear winner, even outranking "superfoods" like garlic and oregano. This intense antioxidant property is what gives cinnamon its healing abilities.
Cinnamon benefits for skin:
- Has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties which fight acne and pimples
- Regulates the oil production on the face, making it a good choice for oily skin
- Cleanses
skin pores and exfoliates dead skin cells
- Improves fine lines with its plumping effects
- Has antiseptic property to heal wounds
- Smooths out the dry and itchy skin
Add cinnamon to a face mask or your facial cleanser! Just a pinch will do.
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive loss
of the structure or function of brain cells. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are two of the most common
types. There are two compounds found in
cinnamon appear to inhibit the buildup of a protein called tau in the brain,
which is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. In a study looking at mice with Parkinson's
disease, cinnamon helped to protect neurons, normalize neurotransmitter levels
and improve motor function. These effects need to be studied
further in humans.
Cinnamon
bark contains strong antibacterial properties. Because of such
benefits cinnamon can also be used as a green cleaning ingredient and natural
disinfectant. Mix cinnamon in a spray
bottle with some warm water, and use it to disinfect your kitchen, bathroom, doorknobs,
countertops, or patio furniture.
Not all cinnamon is created
equal. It is better to use Ceylon
cinnamon. The
Cassia variety contains significant amounts of a compound called coumarin, which
is believed to be harmful in large doses. Ceylon
("true") cinnamon is much better in this regard, and studies show
that it is much lower
in coumarin than the Cassia variety. Unfortunately, most
cinnamon found in supermarkets is the cheaper Cassia variety.
When
using cinnamon medicinally, different studies show great variety in dosing, from less
than 1 gram to levels that would be toxic in humans. The duration of taking the
capsules also varies greatly. So it is best to get muscle tested for what your
body says is the best way to take it. We
also have both Ceylon and Cassia oils in the office for essential oil lovers.
After writing
this blog post I am now going to add cinnamon powder to my superfood shake in the
morning. Hopefully you start adding more
of this healing herb in your diet as well!
Here are some other convenient ways:
§ Sprinkling
cinnamon on top of oatmeal or buckwheat grouts in the morning
§ Incorporating
cinnamon into your dinners and sauces, such as with Indian butter chicken or tomato
sauce
§ Having
a teaspoon of cinnamon or inserting a cinnamon stick into a glass of herbal
tea
§ Make
cinnamon vanilla milk. Simply combine three cups of coconut milk with one tsp
of vanilla extract and one tsp of cinnamon. Stir or blend until ingredients
have combined Serve chilled.
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