In many cultures, cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum or C. cassia) has been considered a miraculous spice for a long time; science has also shown that the substances present in its oil, such as cinnamic aldehyde, cinnamic acetate and cinnamic alcohol, are beneficial for health. Medical research is by no means unanimous in this regard and it is still unclear whether it can actually combat various diseases. In any case, it is true that cinnamon can have a therapeutic role for some ailments, such as digestive problems, minor bacterial infections or a simple cold.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Consume Cinnamon to Fight a Cold or Fever
Step 1. Choose Ceylon cinnamon
The two main types of cinnamon are Ceylon and Cassia. The first is sometimes considered the real cinnamon, the queen cinnamon, but it does not always have the same availability as the second. In any case, Ceylon is preferable due to its low coumarin content:
Regular consumption of coumarin could cause liver problems. It can also interfere with diabetes medications, so consult your doctor to make sure it's safe for you to use it
Step 2. Choose the best shape
Cinnamon is available in the form of powder, sticks, supplements and extract. Before deciding which one to buy, think about the use you will make of it. Using it to supplement your diet involves different requirements than those needed to use it for therapeutic purposes. In order to consume it in the best way, try combining sticks and powder for various types of food and drinks.
- If you want to use it to season food, go for the powdered one.
- When you cook the rice, put a stick in the pan.
- If your doctor has advised you to take it to control your blood sugar, you can buy cinnamon extract from which the coumarin has been completely eliminated at a herbalist's shop or in stores that sell organic items.
Step 3. Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to hot drinks to ease cold or fever symptoms
Cinnamon is thought to have good antimicrobial properties, so it can help the immune system fight a cold or fever. It can counteract the proliferation of bacteria and fungi. Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon to hot water will give you a calming drink that may not cure a cold, but will certainly make you feel a little better.
Step 4. If your nose is runny, try a hot cinnamon drink
It can counteract cold and flu symptoms. Specifically, it allows to dry the nasal secretions. For greater effectiveness, you can combine it with ginger.
Step 5. Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to soups
Just like with drinks, adding cinnamon to a hot soup gives it flavor, but it also helps you find some relief in case of a cold or fever.
The antimicrobial properties of cinnamon are such that they have made it a natural food preservative
Method 2 of 3: Use Cinnamon to Promote Digestion
Step 1. Use Ceylon cinnamon for digestive benefits
If you want to incorporate cinnamon into your diet to improve digestion, opt for Ceylon. The shape you choose does not matter that much, but if you are going to use it for seasoning, then the powdered one is more practical, because it is very easy to measure it with a teaspoon.
A cinnamon stick is ideal for making drinks, but it is more difficult to dose
Step 2. Season high carbohydrate foods with cinnamon
Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon to a carbohydrate-rich dish can decrease the impact of this dish on blood sugar. After eating, the concentration of glucose in the blood increases as the stomach empties, but using cinnamon can help slow this process down and thus lower the increase in blood sugar. Some experiments have shown that adding a few grams of cinnamon to a dessert can have some impact on the gastric emptying rate.
- There are risks associated with consuming too much cinnamon, so limit yourself to one teaspoon per day, which equates to 4-5 grams.
- If you have diabetes, consult a doctor to understand the impact cinnamon can have on your blood sugar. Never use it to replace insulin.
Step 3. Use cinnamon to aid digestion
Instead of using it as a condiment, you can take a small amount after eating. Cinnamon can help stimulate a weak digestive system, especially for those suffering from heartburn or indigestion after meals. It is the cinnamon oils that break down foods and thus promote digestion.
- Try cinnamon tea (dissolve a teaspoon in a cup of hot water) after meals.
- Alternatively, add half a teaspoon of cinnamon to the coffee after meals.
Step 4. Use cinnamon to improve colon functioning
Cinnamon is an excellent source of calcium and fiber. The combination of these compounds can benefit the colon. If bile salts are high, they can damage colon cells and increase the chances of getting cancer. Calcium and fibers can bind to bile salts, allowing them to be expelled from the body. This, in turn, can help lower the risk of getting cancer.
Fiber is also useful for those with irritable bowels and can help relieve constipation or diarrhea
Step 5. If you have a healthy diet, you can supplement it with cinnamon to try to lower cholesterol
It has not been proven whether cinnamon has a significant impact for this purpose. In theory, since it can affect how the body processes fats and sugars, it could help lower cholesterol. This idea momentarily has only a speculative character, therefore a limited consumption of cinnamon (without exceeding 2 -3 grams per day) should be considered a small contribution within a complete picture of healthy nutrition and an active lifestyle.
Cinnamon is delicious when used to make desserts, but adding it to fatty foods won't help lower your cholesterol
Method 3 of 3: Understanding the Potential Risks
Step 1. Talk to your doctor first
There are numerous reasons why using cinnamon for therapeutic purposes may not be a good idea. You should always go to your doctor for advice. You should also inquire about whether an interaction may occur with any prescription or natural medications you take.
According to some evidence, cinnamon may help regulate blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, but it should never be used as a substitute for insulin
Step 2. Determine how much to take and how often
It is not a scientifically proven treatment, so there are no absolute rules regarding the quantities to be taken to observe the benefits. The recommended doses vary between half a teaspoon and 6 teaspoons per day. When in doubt, play it safe and consume less; large doses of cinnamon can be toxic, so under no circumstances should you exceed a teaspoon or 6 grams per day.
As always, you should consult a doctor before consuming cinnamon regularly for health reasons
Step 3. Know who shouldn't use cinnamon for therapeutic purposes
Since there are uncertainties regarding the regular use of cinnamon as a supplement, in some cases it is not recommended to take it for this purpose. It should be avoided by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Step 4. If you take a blood thinner, avoid overdoing the cinnamon in cooking
It contains small amounts of coumarin, which in high doses can dilute the blood. The coumarin content is higher in Cassia than in Ceylon. An excess of cinnamon can also cause liver problems.
Step 5. Store it well and keep it cool
Store it in an airtight glass container in a cool, dry and dark place. Chopped cinnamon can be stored for up to 6 months. The sticks can stay fresh for a maximum of one year. You can extend its useful life by storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Smell it to make sure it's fresh. It should have a sweet smell, a good indicator of its freshness.
- Choose organically grown cinnamon to make sure it doesn't contain pesticides. This practice can in fact cause a decrease in its content of vitamin C and carotenoids.
Advice
Cinnamomum verum is also considered true cinnamon. It is grown mainly in Sri Lanka, the Seychelles, Madagascar and southern India. C. cassia is also called Chinese cinnamon and is native to southern China; it also grows in India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. Currently there are about 250 recognized species of cinnamomum; the one available on the market can be a combination of spices and qualities. However, as with most foods, if you pay more, the quality should be better
Warnings
- If you are undergoing surgery, stop taking cinnamon for therapeutic purposes at least a week before surgery to avoid complications with blood clotting. It is generally okay to use it in small doses as a spice, but talk to your doctor to find out more.
- Women who are breastfeeding or pregnant should not take cinnamon for therapeutic purposes.
- High levels of Cassia are toxic due to coumarin, a substance practically absent in the Ceylon variety.
