Any hostess has a cinnamon in kitchen practically. It is actively used in cookery as fragrant seasoning. But not everyone knows about useful properties of this wonderful spice.
General information about cinnamon
Cinnamon consists in family of evergreen laurel trees. This tropical plant which loves a warm humid climate. It grows in the Southern India, Sri Lanka, on Madagascar, in Asian tropics and in the Seychelles.
There are two main types of cinnamon: Ceylon cinnamon and cassia. In traditional medicine the Ceylon spice is more widespread and useful. The cassia (cassia cinnamon) grows mainly in the southern China. It is of a lower quality than Ceylon a little and costs much cheaper.
At the Ceylon cinnamon more delicate sweetish flavor and fine aroma. The cassia has more spiciness and a bright smell.
Except differences in taste and aroma, the Ceylon cinnamon contains about 1000 times less coumarin in the structure. This important quality because coumarin is quite toxic for kidneys and a liver, and at consumption of cinnamon in large numbers can even do harm to health.
The most expensive and qualitative cinnamon is grown up in Sri Lanka. It has a delightful sweetish and spicy aroma and a pleasant flavor.
Before sale and processing the cinnamon grows not less than two years, then from a tree bark is cut off and dried. On sale the natural cinnamon is presented in the form of the twisted tubules.
Advantage of cinnamon
Cinnamon is a unique plant and has a set of useful qualities. The daily use of extract of cinnamon reduces sugar level in blood. It won't replace obligatory drug intake, but will facilitate life to people, sick type 2 diabetes.
Due to ability to reduce formation of cholesteric plaques on walls of blood vessels the cinnamon is considered an excellent stimulator of work of a brain. Adding it to the menu it is possible to reduce risk of developing of a stroke and myocardial infarction.
Cinnamon – the good assistant for persons interested to lose excess weight. Addition of one tablespoon of extract of cinnamon to a dish will improve digestion and will a little accelerate a metabolism.
Also consumption of this seasoning positively influences blood circulation.
It is very useful to use essential oil of cinnamon. The natural oil of a plant has excellent antiviral, antibacterial and disinfecting qualities.
Cinnamon contains antioxidants and flavonoids therefore for strengthening of immunity it is very useful to eat a honey spoon with cinnamon in the mornings. The classical option is to dissolve them in a glass of warm milk.
During a season of colds it is necessary to carry out damp cleaning with addition to water of several drops of oil of cinnamon. Thus, you not only will hold an aromatherapy session, but also you will disinfect the room.
For the people having fungal diseases of legs it is worth doing baths with cinnamon oil.
Also oil of cinnamon is applied to treatment of acne rash, colitis, a meteorizm, catarrhal diseases and as light anesthetic at rheumatism.
Cinnamon is very useful to school students and students. Reception of two small pinches of this spice in day positively affects concentration of attention, improves memory, reduces fatigue and strengthens sight.
As a part of many hygienic products for a mouth essential oil of cinnamon enters. It is proved by the fact that the plant has active antibacterial properties and promotes improvement of gums and elimination of an unpleasant odor from a mouth.
Also cinnamon is powerful aphrodisiac. Not without reason many contraceptives have original aroma of cinnamon.
Except medicinal properties the cinnamon has also other useful qualities. For example, it is excellent means for scaring away of insects (ants, mosquitoes, a moth). For this purpose it is necessary to put several drops of cinnamon oil to the main places of a congestion of insects and "unexpected guests" will leave the house.
In economic life the stick of cinnamon will help to keep a fresh and pleasant odor in the fridge.
Contraindications to the use of cinnamon
As well as any other plant cinnamon has a number of contraindications to application.
Cinnamon isn't recommended to be used:
- at individual intolerance;
- the use of cinnamon at pregnancy as it can cause reductions of a uterus is strictly forbidden;
- when breastfeeding;
- at sharp diseases of digestive tract.
Still there are no exact proportions and a dosage for safe reception of cinnamon. However as a result of the carried-out tests the scientists recommend to eat no more than 3-5 grams of spice a day.
Reception more than 6 grams of cinnamon a day is strictly contraindicated. Coumarin which is a part of a plant in high doses is very toxic for a liver.
The people having allergic diseases should consider that usual cinnamon can cause rash and reddenings in some people.
Application of cinnamon
Most often cinnamon is used in cookery. It is added to pastries, chocolate, meat and drinks. Cinnamon is perfectly combined with other spices: cardamom, carnation, coriander, black pepper.
In cosmetology the cinnamon is used as a perfumery fragrance for production of shower gels, means for strengthening of hair, spirits, I washed also other products.
Natural essential oil of cinnamon is applied in house and traditional medicine, to the cosmetic and economic and household purposes.
Also cinnamon oil is widely used in an aromatherapy and Ayurveda.
Large grocery stores in the advertizing purposes flavor rooms cinnamon fragrances. Inhaling pleasant and ""tasty"" aroma of cinnamon, at buyers the feeling of a cosiness, a holiday and tranquility is created, the mood improves and the appetite increases. As a result people make purchases more actively.
The interesting facts about cinnamon
Cinnamon – one of the most ancient spices. The first mentions of it belong to 2800 B.C. Except ancient manuscripts about cinnamon it was written in the Old Testament.
It is interesting that spices were very popular in Ancient Egypt and cost expensive very. For example, cinnamon cost as much how many quality silver.
In rich and notable houses the cinnamon was put in wine and desserts. And priests added it to mix for embalming.
The value of cinnamon is indisputable therefore with pleasure use this delicious spice. Add it to the house recipes and use in the medical and preventive purposes.