Cinnamon: Not Just a Spice

Since I was a little girl, I have always loved any food contain cinnamon. Dishes like apple pie and coffee cake just would not taste right without this wonderful seasoning. It dawned on me that I did not know very much about this spice so I went searching information.

Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of the evergreen tree, Cinnamonum, which originally comes from Ceylon but can now be found in places like India, Vietnam, Brazil, and West Indies. The flavor is due to the oil of the bark and must go through processing in order to become the sticks or grounded version we buy at the store. There are two main types of cinnamon: the sweet version, which is used mainly in Asia and the cassia type that is harsher and is more likely to be found in the grocery stores.

The history of Cinnamon can be traced back to the time before Christ as far back as 2000 BC. Moses was commanded to use it along with cassia (a harsher cinnamon). The Romans use this spice for its aroma, burning it during their funerals. The Egyptians used it in their embalming process of the dead and, because there was not refrigeration yet, used it in meats to hide the smell and taste of decay.

It was not until recently that I discovered that cinnamon has some qualities that are in demand today. People are starting to realize that the chemicals being doled out as medicine are not necessarily good for your body. Stores like GNC are being visited more often by people who want a more natural means to cure illness and enhance well-being. It turns out that cinnamon is an excellent home remedy.

Cinnamon has become a popular natural remedy for such ailments as arthritis and digestive problems. It is also known for helping women with menstrual cramps, heavy menstruation, and yeast infections. Pharmaceutical companies are adding it to medicine for colds and flu to disguise the unpleasant taste of the drugs. According to scientific studies, it can lower LDL cholesterol, has an anti-clotting effect on blood, and can boost the function of memory.

The fact that I found the most interesting is that this wonderful spice has a regulatory effect on blood sugar, which in turn reduces hunger and sugar cravings. For those who have diabetes in their family history, this means that prevention can exist without high cost. In addition, this means that cinnamon can help control weight. With so many people having such problems keeping their weight down where it should be, having something that adds flavor to food and is easy to find at the store is fabulous news.

It is amazing to think that a natural remedy like cinnamon has been available to everyone just by looking in the kitchen cupboard. We should be using it more often.