The cinnamon tree belongs to the laurel family, it has a rusty bark and a specific strong aroma. To obtain spice, bark is removed from two-year-old wood in strips, dried and crushed. Ready-made cinnamon can be sold in stick or powder form.
The chemical composition and beneficial properties of cinnamon
Ceylon cinnamon contains a large amount of fiber, tannins, resin, gum, pectin, a small amount of fat, up to 3.5% essential oil. Due to its special strong aroma and spicy taste, cinnamon is widely used in cooking. The spice is used for salting and pickling mushrooms, cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelons, for canning fruits and berries. It is included in various spice mixtures, combined with ginger, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, anise, orange and lemon zest, vanilla. Crushed cinnamon is added to bakery and confectionery products, to sweet drinks, desserts and even to fermented milk products, cereals, soups. This spice is an ingredient in an old Russian drink - sbitnya.
Cinnamon drink helps relieve mental fatigue, helps to normalize metabolism.
Sometimes cassia is sold under the guise of cinnamon. Cassia is the bark of a Chinese cinnamon tree that contains coumarin. This aromatic substance has a harmful effect on the body and can provoke cancer. When buying ground cinnamon, always pay attention to the labeling. Ceylon cinnamon is labeled Cinnamomum zeylonicum, cassia Cinnamomum aromaticum. At home, you can distinguish cassia from real cinnamon using iodine. Drop a small amount of iodine into a small part of the purchased spice: cassia, when interacting with iodine, turns into a deep dark blue. Real cinnamon gives a faint blue hue.
The healing properties of cinnamon
Cinnamon has an antibacterial, antiviral and tonic effect on the body. It improves appetite, reduces cramps in the stomach and intestines, reduces increased intestinal motility and reduces gas production. This spice in folk medicine is prescribed for dyspepsia and diarrhea, with increased acidity of the stomach. Cinnamon is a wonderful styptic and helps with internal bleeding.
Cinnamon is contraindicated for pregnant women, as well as for people with individual intolerance to the product.
Cinnamon is a diuretic, so it will be helpful for kidney disease. When mixed with honey in warm water, the spice can help with bladder inflammation. The mixture of cinnamon and honey is also a good adjuvant in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Cinnamon helps with arthritis, headaches, relieve toothache and eliminate bad breath. Tea with honey and cinnamon helps to reduce weight.
