Cinnamon, a staple condiment in a myriad of cuisines and traditional delicacies, is not only useful for its tantalizing aroma but also has potential health benefits. Clad by the vernacular name Dalchini in Hindi and Ilavanga Pattai in Tamil, this tree is native to India, Srilanka, Indonesia, China and some parts of Bangladesh.
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It is brownish in color and is obtained from the bark of the trees belonging to the Cinnamomum family.

Going by the name ‘Tvak’ in Sanskrit, cinnamon is an excellent pacifier of Vata and Kapha doshas but increases the Pitta doshas. It has a sweet-pungent taste (i.e. madhura-katu rasa) and characterizes a hot potency (i.e. ushna virya).

Mostly used in the form of a powder of the bark or leaves or as oil, cinnamon is an extensively prized ingredient in the holistic treatments of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and even ancient Chinese remedies for its magical healing powers.

How To Use

Powder of the bark can be infused with warm water and honey to reap its benefits. The essential oil from the cinnamon bark also has soothing effects on the mind and body.

Amazing Benefits of Cinnamon

Improves Digestion

A natural digestive with hot potency, powdered bark of cinnamon boosts digestion, relieves flatulence, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome and also improves liver function. Adding it with other spices or sprinkling it on everyday foods removes AMA toxins from the body, improves absorption of nutrients from food, promotes digestion and also helps in burning belly fat.

A cup of cinnamon tea is extremely beneficial in treating gut anomalies and improving digestion and appetite. Drinking it once a day also helps in shedding a few kilos.

How To Make Cinnamon Tea At Home?

Ingredients:

1 piece of cinnamon bark

1 cup of water

1 tbsp of honey

1 tbsp lemon juice

¼ tsp black pepper powder

A pinch of ginger juice

1 tbsp herbal tea powder

Method:

Boil water in a vessel.

Add all the ingredients in it and give it a quick stir.

Strain the tea and sip it warm.

Relieves Cough and Cold

The penetrating quality (i.e. tikshna guna) of cinnamon liquefies the mucus or sputum (kapha), serves as an expectorant and expels mucus from the body. Powder or oil of the bark exhibits potent antitubercular activity and is extremely beneficial for cough, cold, asthma, headache and tuberculosis.

Consume a kadha made of cinnamon stick soaked warm water along with a few drops of honey and a pinch of ginger juice about two-three times a day to get relief from congestion and sore throat.

Manages Diabetes

Cinnamon holds high significance in ancient ayurvedic treatments for managing type 2 diabetes. It regulates the production of insulin, the key hormone of diabetes, reduces insulin resistance by the body and thereby reduces the blood sugar level. Regular intake of cinnamon supplements or adding a pinch of it to your diet can show marked improvement in maintaining your glycemic level.
Also Read: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Alleviates Cardiac Ailments

Several traditional texts vouch by this potent bark for combating heart problems. The essential oils present in the bark of cinnamon make it a natural blood thinner and reduces blood coagulation in the arteries, treats atherosclerosis, check high blood pressure and promote a healthy heart. Adding a small bark of cinnamon to your tea or food purifies your blood and keeps heart problems at bay.

Enhances Skin Health

The anti-inflammatory property of cinnamon is beneficial for fighting acne, pimples and other skin infections. Ayurveda strongly suggests that regular use of cinnamon oil for increasing the production of collagen and elastin, thus treating the signs of aging. Apply a paste of the bark or oil on your affected area to achieve healthy glowing skin.

Mix 1 tbsp of cinnamon powder with 2-3 tsp of honey to form a paste. Apply this mix on the face-covering acne and pimples. Wash it off with lukewarm water after 10 minutes.

Remedies Arthritis

Powered with strong analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties of the bio-active components, cinnamon decreases cytokines which are linked to arthritic pain and thus offers extensive relief from pain and inflammation in case of rheumatoid and osteo arthritis and joint pain. Being a natural vasodilator, it is also used to treat painful muscle spasms, sore muscles, arthritic conditions, and other inflammatory issues.

Treats Candidiasis

The abundance of anti-bacterial and anti-fungal qualities in cinnamon plays a pivotal role in treating various microbial infections like candida, ringworm, athlete’s foot, and many more. Not only can cinnamon improve general body immunity against infections when drank as a tea but also help in reducing inflammation and facilitate wound healing when applied onto the affected area in the form of diluted essential oil.

Uplifts Tooth And Gum Health

Cinnamon is widely used in various oral solutions owing to its strong anti-microbial nature. It not only restricting the spread of infectious microbes within the oral cavities, but also promotes the growth of good probiotic bacteria thus cleansing the tooth, preventing bad breath, cavities, and tooth decay. Try oil pulling with a drop of cinnamon oil in coconut oil or just sip gently sweetened cinnamon tea to augment teeth and gum health.

Conclusion

The humble cinnamon is a staple ingredient in almost all Indian dishes. Imbued with healthful ingredients, cinnamon not only boosts digestion but also manages diabetes, skin issues and respiratory anomalies.