A LITTLE BIT ABOUT CINNAMON With Christmas just around the corner and our homes being filled with the wonderful aromas of baking, and the like, it seems only fitting that this week I talk a little bit about CINNAMON and its counterpart, Cassia, two spices/oils used in abundance during this season. Many of us don’t think about the story behind the spices and oils we use on a regular basis but it makes for a fascinating tale. Neither do many of us recognize that in addition the wonderful fragrance (thought to attract wealth in ancient times), and flavour, there are also many health benefits associated with this Spice. While they hail from the same Genus – the Laurel family; taste very similar, share many characteristics, and are both referenced in the Bible, true Cinnamon and Cassia are QUITE different. TRUE CINNAMON ( Cinnamomum Zeylanicum or Cinnamonum Verum) comes from Ceylon, is more expensive than the Cassia version which has its origins in China and it is TRUE CINNAMON which has been found to hold the health benefits involved in BLOOD SUGAR regulation. AN AMAZING HISTORY: Cinnamon dates as far back as 2000 years ago when it was readily used by the Egyptians in perfumes, for embalming purposes as well as being recognized as an “anointing oil”. It was listed in Dioscorides’ De Materia Medica (78AD) - Europe’s first authoritative guide to medicines which became the Standard reference for over 1700 years. It is also held to have been part of the “Marseilles Vinegar” or “Four Thieves Vinegar” used by the grave robbers to protect them during the 15th Century plague (and one of the oils combined to blend the oil blend Thieves). Having been brought from the Ancient World by Arab spice traders along difficult land routes it was in limited supply and very expensive. Hoping to obtain this spice with less cost, many explorers set out to find the source of this favoured spice. After several false finds, the Portuguese finally discovered it in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1518, enslaving its people in order to gain control of the trade and held for the next 100 years. By the early 1600s the Dutch had defeated the Portuguese and taken control. AND By 1784, it was the turn of the British who came out as victors in the Anglo Dutch War – the fourth to have been had. By 1800 the spice was no longer an expensive commodity having now been cultivated in other parts of the world. MEDICAL PROPERTIES:- ANTI INFLAMMATORY, (COX-2 inhibitor), ANTI BACTERIAL, ANTI VIRAL, ANTI FUNGAL, ANTI COAGULANT, CIRCULATORY STIMULANT, STOMACH PROTECTANT (ulcers) , AND ANTIPARASITIC (worms) USES: - Cardiovascular disease Infectious diseases Viral infections such as Herpes Digestive complaints Ulcers and Warts TRUE CINNAMON vs CASSIA It is very difficult to differentiate between these two spices and one may wish to look to see the origin of the spice when purchasing. Ceylon Cinnamon is however, generally a milder, sweeter flavour. Both spices/oils have many of the same properties and offer similar health benefits. It is worth noting however that while both spices contain Coumarin, which occurs naturally, Cassia contains a higher percentage. This can be toxic in larger quantities, affecting the liver and nervous system. Whilst unlikely for one to consume such high dosages, it is something of which to be aware (and likely what is seen to occur in the “Cinnamon Challenges). CINNAMON STICKS: - The Bark of Cassia is thicker than that of True Cinnamon. When purchasing “cinnamon sticks” if you find sticks with multiple layers of thinner bark rather than one piece of bark without layers, you are likely getting True Ceylon Cinnamon. SO There you go… Here’s to enjoying the wonderful fragrances and health benefits of these wonderful Spice Oils. For INFORMATION on how to obtain YOUNG LIVING 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Cinnamon Bark Oil or Cassia Oil, personal message me – I am happy to share their wonderful benefits …
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 01:38:30 +0000
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