Menu:
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a very useful organic herb which is actually the brown bark of cinnamon tree. The bark is peeled of the tree, then dried and rolled in tubular forms. Cinnamon is available in either stick forms or as ground powder.
There are more than a hundred varieties of cinnamon. Its scientific name is Cinnamonum Verum.
Health Benefits
Cinnamon is a rich source of magnesium, iron, and fibers. Its oil contains three active components of acetic acid and alcohol along with a wide range of volatile compounds that help in a wide variety of symptoms and health conditions.
The main health benefits and actions of Cinnamon are
- Anti Clotting Actions. The cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon helps in preventing unwanted clumping of blood platelets. Platelets are blood constituents that clump together in case of a physical injury to stop bleeding. However under normal circumstances, platelet clotting would hinder the blood flow leading to severe consequences.
- Anti Microbial Activity: Cinnamon contains essential oils that help stop the growth of bacteria and fungi. In many of the laboratory tests growth of yeasts that were found resistant to common medicine was stopped by cinnamon extract. Cinnamon anti microbial properties are very effective and many researches have shown that this spice can be safely used as an alternative to food preservatives.
- Controlling Blood Sugar: Cinnamon has been found extremely useful in treating type 2 diabetes. Diabetic patients taking cinnamon report improved ability to respond to insulin. Studies on animals as well as test tube studies have proved that cinnamon stimulates insulin receptors as well inhibit enzymes that deactivates them thus increasing the ability of cells to use glucose.
- Boosting Brain Function: The aroma and flavor of cinnamon have special effect in improving brain functioning. Researches have found that chewing the herb's flavored gum or inhalation enhances a person's cognitive and reasoning processing. Cinnamon improves people attention and focusing abilities, virtual recognition memory, working memory and visual motor speed.
- Protection from heart diseases: The trace minerals manganese and dietary fibers, iron and calcium present in cinnamon makes it useful in prevention of several difficult heart conditions. It helps remove bile due to which body breaks down cholesterol in order to make new bile. This process helps to bring down the level of cholesterol in the body and prevent heart related diseases.
Use:
Cinnamon bark has a long history of use as a spice. It is used in cookery as a condiment and flavoring material. In many countries it is also used in dishes of chicken and lamb. It also finds uses in flavored cereals and fruits, especially in USA
Cinnamon is also used in traditional medicine in treating cold and problems of digestive system.
Next>>Blue BerryYou may also get interested in Exercise Tips and Diet tips