Curative powers of cinnamon

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Cinnamon tree is native to India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Egypt. In India and China, cinnamon has been widely used to treat various ailments for centuries. Cinnamon also is believed to provide a boost of energy and aid circulation of blood in the body. The spice also commonly used for deserts and adds a significant flavor; some use it for coffee and tea instead of sugars.

Cinnamon is used to treat the following ailments:

• Treatment of Type 2 diabetes: A lot of studies have been done to show the effectiveness of cinnamon for treating Type 2 diabetes. The medical journal Diabetes Care in 2003 reported that a study done on 60 people with Type 2 diabetes showed blood sugar levels dropped by 18 to 29 percent. They were given varying amounts of cinnamon from a quarter spoon to one teaspoon for 40 days and all showed a lower blood sugar levels.

• Lowers blood sugar: A Swedish study which was reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that small addition of cinnamon to a food dish (like rice pudding) lowers the post meal rise of blood sugar.

• Cold relief: A tablespoon of honey (warm), mixed with one third of a teaspoon of powdered cinnamon, taken for two to three days gives relief from colds.

• Indigestion: Boiling a half teaspoon of cinnamon powder in a glass of water provides relief from indigestion. You can add to this mixture, a half teaspoon of honey and a pinch of pepper powder. One tablespoon of this combined mixture taken after a meal provides relief from indigestion.

It also has a beneficial effect on LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (fat present in food) too. Cinnamon also has a blood thinning effect, so if you are taking anti-clotting medication, you should report this to your doctor. Pregnant women should not take a large dose of cinnamon, should consult with their doctors.

Cinnamon is natural and readily available. It also makes an excellent flavor to the food and desserts. In Indian food, some times they use the whole bark adds a great flavor to food in Biryani, one of the exotic foods in Indian cooking. Add cinnamon to your spice rack, has multiple uses.