Cinnamon And Its Health Benefits

This well-known spice is one of the oldest in history and comes from Southeast Asia. Cinnamon is an aromatic spice made from peeling, drying, and rolling of the bark of some Southeast Asian tree species such as the Cinnamomum genus in the Lauraceae family. It comes in four types of different tastes and chemical composition.

Since its discovery, cinnamon has been used to treat problems of the digestive and respiratory tract. More recently, it has also been used for blood glucose management, inflammation, and diabetes. Eating only 1-2 grams of cinnamon every day can improve your health significantly. Just add a half-teaspoon of cinnamon to your oatmeal, yogurt, or another breakfast dish.

You can choose your favorite aroma and flavor and also the content of the coumarin that the cinnamon has. The higher the quality of the cinnamon the stronger its aroma is.

Coumarin is a chemical compound that can be found in various plants like cinnamon, celery, lavender, peppermint, carrots. Its use as a food additive was banned in 1954 by the US Food and Drug Administration because it was found to be hepatotoxic for rats, and potentially in humans too. Coumarin is safe when you consume it in small amounts occasionally, but if you take too much of it, it can cause problems.

 

Types of cinnamon spices and its safety  

Cinnamomum cassia is the most common species for sale in North America. This spice that comes from China has a strong taste. It contains high levels of coumarin and its amounts are not concerning. But in Germany, there is a ban on this type of cinnamon because it contains higher levels of coumarin than allowed. That’s why it is better to avoid this type of cinnamon if you want to use it as medicine for its health benefits.

But if you only want to enjoy its flavor then it is safe to consume it occasionally. For daily use of the suggested 1 to 2 grams, it is better to eat the more safe medicinal spice called Cinnamomum Verum.

Don’t hesitate to eat all of the available cinnamon species in the stores, as they all have been proven to be safe and very beneficial for blood glucose regulation. The “true” cinnamon called the Cinnamomum Verum is the best for your health. It has a soft and thin bark with interesting flavor and a satisfying level of sweetness.

 

Warming Digestive Blend

When you have problems with constipation or gas, try this delicious warm blend that supports your digestive system. It is also great to be consumed after drinking antibiotics or recovering from illness.

Ingredients

• 16 parts cinnamon bark, powdered
• 4 parts turmeric rhizome, powdered
• 2 parts ginger rhizome, powdered
• 2 parts cardamom seed, powdered
• 2 parts fennel seed, powdered
• 1 part fresh pepper fruit, ground

Preparation

Mix all of these ingredients and store them in a container in a dry place away from sunlight. Eat it with some dishes like yogurt and oatmeal.

Comfy Compote Recipe

When your digestive system is irritated, eat this comfy compote recipe that is great for cramping and spasms. You can eat it cold or hot, stirred into your yogurt or oatmeal. The fruits are great for your gut bacteria.

Ingredients

• 3 cups of chopped fresh fruit (apples, peaches, apricots, pears, cherries, or plums)
• 1 cup of dried fruit
• 1 Tsp Warming Digestive Blend (the recipe above)