Did you know that the cinnamon we eat in the West is really something else, called cassia?
Real cinnamon has many amazing health benefits, so it's a good idea to find some of the stuff and incorporate it into your cooking. Real cinnamon or “true cinnamon”, Ceylon cinnamon (C. zeylanicum or C. verum) is native to Sri Lanka. This cinnamon is lighter brown in color, papery and brittle and the bark coils into a single spiraled quill. American labeling laws do not require a distinction be made between cassia and Ceylon cinnamon in the retail market. A simple Google search will lead you to several sources that sell real cinnamon.
Here are some of the superpowers of this amazing and tasty spice!
From www.healthdiaries.com:
"Lower Cholesterol: Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.
Blood Sugar Regulation: Several studies suggest that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.
Yeast Infection Help: In some studies, cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.
Cancer Prevention: In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
Anti-Clotting: It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.
Arthritis Relief: In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.
Anti-Bacterial: When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.
Brain Health: One study found that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.
E. Coli Fighter: Researchers at Kansas State University found that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.
High in Nutrients: It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium."
There is one thing to be aware of with increasing your amount of cinnamon, and that is that cinnamon may cause adverse health effects due to its content of coumarin. Coumarin is toxic to the liver, is an anticoagulant (it thins the blood), and causes cancer in rodents. However the good news is that real cinnamon powder has much less coumarin than the Cassia, and this warning is mostly sounded so as not to give infants an overdose of cinnamon.
Disclaimer: Nextworldtv urges you to do your own research before considering any herbal, spice, mushroom or any other natural medication or suggestion promoted in the Health and Wellness category of this website. Each individual may respond differently, and should not blindly follow any medical suggestions without being sure it is right for them. These posts are meant to raise awareness about the healing properties of ancient natural remedies and new discoveries flourishing outside of the mainstream pharmaceutical culture, so that you may follow up on your own if it may be of benefit to you.