Introduction to Cinnamon
Cinnamon or Cinnamomum zeylanicum is a bushy evergreen plant belonging to Cinnamomum family and cinnamon as a spice is used daily by people all over the globe. It is widely used to develop various medicines in traditional ayurvedic and unani medicinal systems. It has a wide range of health benefits due to its rich antioxidant and anti-inflammatory profile. Several researches conducted on cinnamon reveals that it treats gastrointestinal disorders, give soothing effect in irritable bowel syndrome, boost digestion and metabolism, reduces nausea, flatulence and bloating, maintains blood sugar level and cholesterol level. This natural remedy prevents the onset of Alzheimer’s diseases, supports nerve cells and help in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis, hypertension, cardiac arrest etc. Cinnamon is a kind of gift for those who wish to shed extra fat layers from their bulky body which in turn helps in decreasing body weight. The Key component of cinnamon is Cinnamaldehyde (found in essential oil of its bark) which imparts distinct flavour and aroma. Cinnamon contains large amount of polyphenol, anti-bacterial, antitermitic. Nematicidal, mosquito larvicidal, insecticidal, antimycotic, anticancer, anti-viral, anti-fungal and prebiotic properties. Cinnamon is a good option to treat gastrointestinal disturbances and improves the quality of healthy gut bacteria. Cinnamon oil has also been used in manufacturing toothpaste, mouthwashes, lotions, soaps, detergents, many pharmaceutical products and cosmetics. There are two main types of cinnamon available namely Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) and cassia also known as Chinese cinnamon (Cinnamomum aromaticum).
Various similar species are also grown as a source of cinnamon, named as Chinese cassia (Cinnamomum cassia), Vietnamese, or Saigon, cinnamon (C. loureiroi), Indonesian cinnamon (C. burmannii), and Malabar cinnamon (C. citriodorum).
Occurrence-
Cinnamon is a native plant of Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma) and Malabar Coast of India, also grown in South America, Jamaica, Brazil and in regions of West India. For Cultivation, Cinnamon plant needs sandy or siliconus soils with the application of suitable fertilizer and manures, an annual rainfall of 200–250 cm and an altitude between 800–1000 m and field weeding 2-4 times once a year. Cinnamon’s bark is brown in color, sweet in flavour, and has a delicate fragrance, its essential oil is used in the preparation of food items, liquor, perfumes, skin care products and in various health supplements. This useful spice was compared with gold ages back and used for embalming and religious practices. Cinnamon needs moist well drained area reaches more than 49 feet in height. Its flower grows in clusters in greenish to yellow color and leave are in deep green color after maturation.
Health Benefits of Cinnamon
There are many health benefits of using cinnamon, these can be listed as follows-
Maintains Blood pressure
Consuming cinnamon daily can reduce the risk of hypertension as this medicinal herb shows short term reduction in the blood pressure. A study conducted on Cinnamon reveals that a dose of 120 mg per cinnamon day can lower arterial blood pressure and strengthen heart muscles.
Reduces Blood glucose level
Cinnamon improves glycemic index and reduces the amount of glucose in the blood which in turn prevent the risk of Diabetes Mellitus.
Supports digestive system
As mentioned above cinnamon is renowned to have excellent carminative, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory potentials, it can easily soothe many of the digestive illnesses. Its essential oil can improve flatulence and intestinal inflammation. It improves oxygen level in the body, boost body’s immunity to fight with certain infections.
Reduces bad Cholesterol
Cinnamon is effective in treating various cardiovascular diseases; it lowers down triglycerides, bad cholesterol or LDL level and stabilizes good cholesterol or HDL.
Good for nervous system
Cinnamon is an effective home remedy to support your nerve cells as its powerful compounds found in it, balances neurotransmitters level, improves motor functions, checks tau (kind of protein) accumulation in the brain, also reduces the risk of many nervous disorders including Dementia, parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and seizure etc.
Reduces Inflammation and Arthritis
Cinnamaldehyde found in Cinnamon is helpful in reducing inflammation in joint and in other delicate organs of the body, reduces joint pain hereby lowers the risk of arthritis and easy fracture, it prevents the formation of blood platelets clump, it also checks the growth of abnormal cell growth.
Reduces oxidative stress
Cinnamon reduces cell oxidative stress with the help of its antioxidants; it prevents the formation of cancerous cell, helps in wear and tear inside the body, and binds free radicals to make the body even healthier.
Treats Skin problem
Cinnamon as mentioned above is loaded with anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties, it helps in treating many skin ailments including acne, blemishes, dry and itchy skin, pimples, eczema, and fungal infection etc. You can make a face pack using Cinnamon and honey mixed with rose water, apply, and leave for 15-20 minutes and then rinse with fresh water.
Reduces infection and AIDS
As mentioned earlier, cinnamon has an active component “Cinnamaldehyde”, which is helpful in fighting several types of bacterial, fungal and viral infection. Cinnamon can also inhibit the growth of most dangerous and diseases causing bacteria E. coli, S. aureus, C. albicans, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella (bacterial food borne pathogens responsible for food borne illnesses) and prevent the risk of their relative disease. Cinnamon is also used to combat HIV (Human Immuno deficiency virus) and AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome) by providing strength to body’s immune system, Cassia cinnamon works well to treat HIV and prevents the occurrence of AIDS.
Other health benefits include-
- It treats bed wetting.
- Its oil is used to massage on penile tissues to prevent premature ejaculation.
- It relieves menopausal symptoms.
- It improves joint pain and muscle spasm.
- It relieves menstrual problem.
- It relieves kidney problems.
Side Effects of Cinnamon
However, Cinnamon is natural home remedy but in use in excess can show many adverse effects such as-
May cause Cancer
Overconsumption of cinnamon can increase the risk of various forms of cancers associated with coumarin which can develop of cancer cells in different organs such as lungs, liver and kidneys etc. Over dose of cinnamon can damage delicate body organs, hyper sensitive people are more prone to the aforementioned damages.
May Cause Mouth and throat Sores
Cinnamon can be irritant sometimes if used mindlessly, Cinnamaldehyde found in cinnamon can stimulate many allergic reactions and it can result in sore throat, dry mouth and mouth sores.
May cause hypoglycemia
Cinnamon has the ability to lower down blood glucose, but in case of excess consumption it can lead to Hypoglycemia (decreased level of blood glucose). As complications other symptoms will also appear including weakness, fatigue, dizzy spells and unconsciousness.
It may cause Liver Damage
Cinnamon comes with Coumarin which is its flavoring agent found in relatively high amount specially in “Cassia cinnamon”. Excess intake of cinnamon (more than 6 grams a day) can cause severe form of liver disorder and liver toxicity leading to complete hepatic failure.
May Cause coughing
Cinnamon can increase coughing if used in excess amount, with repetitive cough attacks breathing problem will also occur and one will feel difficult to breath as a result oxygen level inside the body might get affected.
May increase heart rate
Using cinnamon beyond than recommended dose might be dangerous for cardiac health as it can alleviate heart rate. Be even more careful if you are using Cinnamon oil, it should be diluted by mixing other oil such as almond oil before using.
May cause skin allergy
Though this magical spice treats many of the skin problems but over dosage of it can cause skin irritation, rashes, and burning sensation.
Dosage
Cinnamon is packed with lots of health benefits, it is safe to consume and its recommended dose per day is 2-5 grams. You can mix Cinnamon with your meals, tea, shakes and soup etc. Or you can have it simply mixed with honey and warm water for best results. If you are going to use cinnamon stick, it should be consumed 1 stick weighing 5 grams approx., and switching to oil, just use one to two drops exceedingly not more than thrice a day. For the cinnamon supplement capsules or tablets, it should be used as per the instructions of your health care professional. It is to be noted, that diabetic patient should use it cautiously as too much consumption can lead to hypoglycemia (abnormally decreased level of glucose in the blood).
