A Healing Spice (Cinnamon)
Cinnamon is loved for its warming, healing and cleansing properties
A Healing Spice Guide
Cinnamon is the first spice to feature in my new Healing Spice Guide.
This luxurious and warming spice was first recorded as being consumed around 2000 BC, where its use in ancient Egypt were for both culinary and medicinal purposes. An ancient Greek inscription describes Cinnamon and Cassia as gifts donated to Apollo at the temple of Miletus.
Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka, India and Myanmar. It is also cultivated in South America and the West Indies. It is an evergreen tree characterised by oval-shaped leaves, a thick bark and a berry fruit. When harvesting, the bark and leaves are the primary parts of the plant used.
To harvest Cinnamon, two to five-year-old trees are cut back to a stump which causes them to start growing like a bush and producing new shoots. These are harvested and the outer bark is removed leaving the inner bark which is polished, stretched, layered and hand-rolled into quills that are trimmed and dried.
Cinnamon is a very versatile spice that can be used to make warming herbal teas (see below) and for baking. You can add ground Cinnamon to steamed rice during cooking for a delightfully warming dish or try sprinkling onto your coffee or hot chocolate. The perfect partner for apple and pumpkin pies, cakes, biscuits and pastries, and delicious dusted over hot buttered toast or porridge.
I hope you enjoy discovering the warming and healing benefits of Cinnamon - a wonderful addition to any diet with many different uses for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.
Folklore
Cinnamon is embedded in, and embodies, many cultures and people. It tells the story of cold Winter nights soothed with warm mulled wine, of sumptuous Danish baked goods, of hot chocolate drinks by the fire and pumpkin pies.
Cinnamon has appeared in ancient Egyptian texts (as a gift from the Gods) and also in the Bible. It was a precious commodity traded across the globe for centuries and was considered a rarity. It was often very expensive to purchase, creating a status symbol of wealth and divine favour.
Cinnamon is renowned for its cleansing and protective properties and in Pagan times was often used to protect against evil spirits and negative energies. The warm, invigorating scent is said to create a barrier against harm, shielding the user from spiritual attacks or unwanted influences.
Today, it is used in protective magic with the burning of Cinnamon sticks, where the smoke is used to cleanse a space and create a spiritual shield.
Nutrition
Cinnamon is a highly prized spice that has been used since ancient times for its medicinal and healing properties. It has the highest antioxidant strength of all the food sources and is several hundreds more potent than any fruit or vegetable.
Cinnamon is a great source of vitamins A and B-complex and minerals such as chromium, iron, zinc and calcium. It is particularly good for helping to ease diarrhea, nausea, sickness, indigestion, flatulence and arthritis.
Cinnamon is known to help prevent and shorten the duration of the flu as it helps to eliminate congestion and mucus from the body. It is also beneficial for lowering cholesterol and helping to regulate blood sugar. Cinnamon is known to help increase circulation and contains anti-clotting compounds which makes it highly beneficial for helping to prevent strokes and coronary artery disease.
Cinnamon is very good for reducing inflammation and has the amazing ability to stop yeast infections, candida and menstrual cramps. It helps to boost memory and cognitive function, and simply smelling Cinnamon or its essential oil can make you feel more alert and focused.
SOURCE: Medical Medium - Cinnamon
Remedies
Cinnamon and Ginger Herbal Tea
Cinnamon combines especially well with Ginger to make a powerful herbal tea that will provide instant relief and gentle healing at the onset of a cold, chest or upper respiratory infection.
- Add 3 x Cinnamon sticks and a few slices of Fresh Ginger to a pan of filtered water.
- Bring up to the boil, then simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Allow to cool slightly and strain into a cup, mug or larger glass container to store in the fridge.
- Add Raw Honey and fresh Lemon juice to taste before serving.
Cinnamon Morning Boost
Cinnamon helps to boost memory and cognitive function, just smelling Cinnamon or its essential oil can help make you more alert and focused.
Try adding a dusting of Cinnamon to your morning coffee or add a pinch or two to your mid-morning smoothie or freshly squeezed fruit juice.
Recipes
Banana and Date Cinnamon Cake
A soft and tasty cake with no sugar added as all the sweetness comes from natural ingredients including Bananas, Raisins and Dates. A wonderful rich flavour when paired with cream cheese, apple sauce (see below) and oat flakes.
COMING SOON!
Cinnamon Apple Sauce
Try making this simple cleansing and mood boosting recipe by placing the following ingredients in a food processor and blending until smooth for a fresh and nutritious fruit sauce.
- 2 x large Cooking Apples (peeled and poached until soft)
- 3 x Medjool Dates
- A few pinches of Cinnamon (to taste)
- Drizzle of Maple Syrup (to sweeten)
I hope you enjoy this ongoing series of posts about the healing and health benefits of spices which make a healthy and flavoursome addition to many a warming recipe.
Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of spicy delights and discovery. I look forward to seeing you again soon.
Sue Cartwright
Spiral Leaf
Thank you for sharing!
for you, for me and for Mother Nature
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