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Cinnamon is not only a warming, sweet and exotic culinary spice. It is used extensively in traditional systems of medicine for its therapeutic value. It’s been a part of the Ayurvedic system of medicine for thousands of years. In Hindi, it’s called Dalchini.

The particular flavor and fragrance is due to its essential oil and chief components – cinnamaldehyde and eugenol. In this article, we’re going to look at nearly every aspect of cinnamon. Keep reading. Got a question? Leave it in the comment below and one of our experts will reply.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this article.

Species Of Cinnamon
Cinnamon Botanical Description
Sanskrit Synonyms For Cinnamon With Their Meaning¹
Varieties Of CinnamonWhat You Should Know 
Ayurvedic Properties Of Cinnamon
Popular Ayurvedic Formulations With Cinnamon
Cinnamon Essential Oil
Ayurvedic Uses Of Cinnamon And Remedies
Chemical Constituents Of Cinnamon⁷Research On Cinnamon⁷
Cinnamon Nutrition Value⁸

Species Of Cinnamon

Cinnamon is the collective name given to various plant species in the genus Cinnamomum and family Lauraceae. Out of all these species only a few species are grown commercially for its bark.

The main species include Cinnamomum zeylanicum or Cinnamomum verum, commonly known as Ceylon.

Cinnamomum cassia or Chinese cinnamon is common as well. Cinnamomum tamale or Indian cinnamon, Cinnamomum citriodorum or Malabar cinnamon and Cinnamomum burmanni (Indonesian cinnamon) are other common varieties.

Cinnamomum zeylanicum has a new botanical name, Cinnamomum verum. The old name was originally derived from Sri Lanka’s former name Ceylon. It is found widely in Sri Lanka. But it also grows in Malabar, Cochin and China. It is also cultivated in Brazil, Mauritius, India and in many other countries.

These plants are grown for their inner bark. When dried, the bark rolls into a tubular stick which is commercially known as a quill.

Cinnamon is available in the market in stick form and in powder form. Cinnamon essential oil is also used widely for various purposes.

READ MORE: Tulsi (Holy Basi): Tulsi Research, Tulsi Benefits, How To Take Tulsi

Cinnamon Botanical Description

Cinnamon trees are small evergreen trees with aromatic bark and leaves. They have an economic lifespan of approximately ten years.

Cinnamon trees usually grow up to 20 to 30 feet tall. In the wild however, they can grow up to 50 to 60 feet tall.

The bark is scabrous and has a smooth and yellow color and a distinct pleasant odor.

The leaves of the tree are thick and oval or lanceolate in shape and 3-7 inches long. They are dark green on top and lighter green underneath. When crushed, they produce a pungent smell.

The branches of the plant are strong, smooth and grey. 

The tree produces small, yellow-white or green flowers on panicles. They have a distinct odor.

The fruit is purple in color. It is oval in shape and berry like and it contains one single seed.

Sanskrit Synonyms For Cinnamon With Their Meaning¹

These Sanskrit synonyms for cinnamon describe its various qualities.

Tvaka: It pacifies Vata dosha and covers Vata dosha in the body.Daru sita: It is a wooden stick with a sweet flavor, like sugar candy.Chocham: Its bark is of very good quality.Vraangam: Every part of cinnamon is admirable and wonderful.Bhringam: It has a hot property.Saimhalam: It originates in the Saimhala region which today is the region of Sri Lanka.

READ MORE: The Body Type Diet, A Body Type Quiz + The Rules For Body Types

Varieties Of Cinnamon

Different varieties of cinnamon are available. It’s classified based on where it’s been cultivated. Some common varieties include the following.

Cinnamomum zeylanicum

This variety is cultivated in Sri Lanka. Again, it is commonly known as Ceylon cinnamon. It has a thinner bark than Cassia cinnamon. It is sweeter than Cassia cinnamon and less bitter in taste.

It is considered the best variety among all varieties of cinnamon because it has a very pleasant smell and sweet taste.²

Cinnamomum tamala

This variety has also been used topically as an anti-inflammatory agent in traditional systems of medicine.³

Cassia cinnamon

This variety of cinnamon is mainly cultivated in China. Its has a thick bark.

It’s also used topically as anti-inflammatory agent in traditional systems of medicine.²

Its leaves are commonly used and are referred to as bay leaves.⁴ When these bay leaves dry they smell like cloves. If they do not have any fragrance and are missing their typical sharp taste then they should not be used in medicine.³

Among these three varieties of cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon is considered the best. It is sweeter in taste and has the best odor and aroma compared to others.⁵

READ MORE: What Ginger Water (Ginger Tea) Can Do For You

What You Should Know

Cassia cinnamon has a strong and spicy flavor. It is often used in baking, especially cinnamon rolls.

Among cassia, Chinese cinnamon is generally medium to light reddish brown in color. It is hard and woody in texture.

It is thicker than others because all of the layers of bark are used.

Cassia cinnamon sticks are harder than others.

The Chinese variety or Cinnamomum cassia are always sold as broken pieces of thick bark because the bark is not supple enough to be rolled into quills.

With Ceylon cinnamon, only the thin inner bark is used.  It has a lighter brown color and a finer, less dense and more crumbly texture.

It is more subtle and more aromatic in flavor than cassia. It loses much of its flavor during cooking.

Ceylon cinnamon sticks (quills) have many thin layers. It can easily be made into powder using a coffee or spice grinder

Indonesian cinnamon is often sold in neat quills made up of one thick layer. It is so hard, it’s capable of damaging a spice or coffee grinder.

The powdered bark of cinnamon is harder to distinguish between varieties. If it’s treated with a tincture of iodine (a test for starch), little effect is visible with pure Ceylon cinnamon. When Chinese cinnamon is present however, a deep-blue tint is produced.

Ayurvedic Properties Of Cinnamon

In The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of Herbs, the following species are explained.

Botanical name: Cinnamomum zeylanicumFamily: Lauraceae

Rasa or taste: Katu (pungent), tikta (bitter), madhura (sweet)Guna or qualities: Laghu (light), ruksha (dry), teekshna (piercing or sharp)Virya or potency: Ushna (hot)Vipaka or post digestive taste: Katu (pungent)Effect on dosha: Kapha Vata hara (Reduces Kapha and Vata dosha)

It pacifies Kapha dosha and Vata dosha because of its hot potency. Due to its hot potency, it increases Pitta dosha.  Cinnamon which is more sweet in taste however, pacifies Pitta dosha.⁵

Parts used: Tvaka or stem bark, taila or oil and patra or leaves.⁶

Amount used:⁶

Tvaka churna (powder) of stem bark: 1-3 gramsPowder of leaves: 1-3 gramsOil: 2-5 drops

Popular Ayurvedic Formulations With Cinnamon

Sitopaladi churna is a popular Ayurvedic formulation to treat respiratory problems, cough, cold and anorexia.⁶

READ MORE: How To Fight The Flu With Ayurveda

Cinnamon Essential Oil

The essential oil is extracted through steam distillation of the bark. It has a mild and sweet aroma that soothes the mind.

There are two types.

1. Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil

This essential oil is derived from the leaves. It is dark brown in color and has a fragrance like cloves.

It is 70-85% eugenol

2. Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil

This essential oil is derived from the bark. It is light yellow in color but on storing, changes to red.

This oil contains 50-65% cinnamaldehyde and 60-75% eugenol.⁵

Apart from having different chemical compositions, both these essential oils mostly serve the same health benefits.

Ayurvedic Uses Of Cinnamon And Remedies

According to ‘The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of Herbs’⁵, it is helpful in increasing the metabolic fire. It improves appetite and relieves anorexia.

Other uses according to the Pharmacopoeia include the following.⁵

It is useful in digestion of food. It is useful in relieving flatulence, abdominal pain and improving liver function.

Cinnamon is helpful in diarrhea, hemorrhoids and irritable bowel syndrome.

It is also useful in fever due to intestinal problems.

Cinnamon has anti-microbial properties. It is helpful in improving cardiac problems, blood related problems, cough and cold.

It is useful in asthma and chronic respiratory problems. 

Cinnamon helps in increasing ojas. According to Ayurveda, ojas is responsible for immunity, strength and vitality.

Ayurveda : Certain less-known facts about top healing herbs

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1. Although herbs have been used since ages for healing, scientists are finally beginning to discover amazing new facts, such as their abilities to reduce arthritis, destroy cancer cells, and help in managing blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Herbs and other natural remedies, when taken under expert supervision, are as effective as conventional medications, often without any negative side effects. Here are few of the top healers, with their newly discovered attributes, which not many of us are aware of.

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2. Turmeric: The role of turmeric in treating indigestion, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, common cold, toothache, colic, pre and post surgery health, flatulence, jaundice, menstrual difficulties and bruises is well known. Less-known fact: It has been found to also prevent Colon Cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. A clinical trial performed by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2006 found that the presence of ˜curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound, helps shrink any pre-cancerous lesions (polyps), when take together with small amounts of quercetin, a powerful anti-oxidant found in apples, onions and cabbage. The average number of polyps dropped by more than 60 percent, while those that remained, shrunk in size by more than 50 percent. Another 2006 study published in the Journal of Alzheirmer disease revealed that researchers noticed that curcumin clears the brain of any plaques, a characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.

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3. Cinnamon: Cinnamon has a beneficial effect on your blood sugar levels. It also slows down the rate at which the stomach empties the food, and also reduces gastric emptying rate. Less-known fact: It also helps lower cholesterol. A study conducted by researchers at the US Department of Agriculture in 2003, discovered that 60 people with type 2 diabetes, when given one gram of cinnamon per day, for a 40-day period, experienced considerable reduction in their blood sugar levels, total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides.

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4. Rosemary: This well-known herb has gone way beyond being a flavor-enhancer and use in cosmetics. It is now a well known aid for a range of ailments, including digestive disorders, headaches, stomach upsets, is a mild diuretic. Less-known fact: It is a proven anti-cancerous agent. Rosemary extract helps prevent carcinogens that enter the body from binding with DNA, the first step in tumour formation. When researchers at the University of Illinois, fed rosemary extracts to rats, who were exposed to dimethylbezanthracene, a carcinogen which causes breast cancer (both DNA damage and tumours decreased). The scientists are yet to perform human research, but according to the study lead, Keith W Singletary, Rosemary has lot of cancer-protective potential.

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5. Ginger: It is a well-known fact that ginger averts nausea, prevents stomach upsets, motion sickness and chemotherapy-related nausea. Less-known fact: Ginger has now proven to help reduce Blood Pressure, Cancer risk and Arthritis pain. Ginger regulates blood flow, which lowers blood pressure, and its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce arthritis. When ginger extract was administered to 124 patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee, during a study conducted at the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Miami, all 124 patients reported decrease in pain. During another study by the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, in 2006, it was found that gingers anti-inflammatory powers helped in killing ovarian cancer cells, in the same intense manner or better than chemotherapy. The chemo-preventive action of the plant could be due to its ability to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, the researchers felt.

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6. Basil: Being the usual home-grown plant, we are aware about the effectiveness of basil in reducing stress, relieving indigestion, headaches, for treatment of coughs, intestinal disorders and skin diseases. Less-known fact: It inhibits Breast Cancer. According to Pratima Nangia-Makker, a researcher at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, a tea made of the holy basil, helped in shrinking tumours, reduced their blood supply, and stopped their spread, first in test tubes, and then in mice.

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7. Garlic: Garlic is a well-known addition in folklore medicines, known to prevent everything from the cold, flu and gastritis to plague. It is also known to prevent blood clots, and for its anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Less-known fact: Garlic contains about 70 active phyto-chemicals, including allicin, which according to studies have known to decrease high BP by as much as 30 points. Garlic is also known to prevent strokes by reducing arterial blockages, as per the clinical study at UCLA. Also, the level of homocysteine, a chemical causing plaque in the body, dropped by 12 percent in patients.

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8. According to a study published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the study participants who consumed most garlic, reduced their risk of developing cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx by 39 percent, oesophageal cancer by 57 percent, colorectal cancer by 26 percent, renal cell cancer by 31 percent, laryngeal cancer by 44 percent, breast cancer by 10 percent, ovarian cancer by 22 percent and prostate cancer by 19 percent, compared to those eating less or no garlic. On the whole, to net big benefits of these ‘super-healers’, include them in your everyday cooking. After-all, you have nothing to lose!

Gluten Intolerence - Skin Signs

f your Skin is showing these signs, it means you've Gluten Intolerance issue

 Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Those who are sensitive to gluten in their systems have what is known as Celiac Disease. What actually happens in the body is that the body’s normal immune system sees that protein as an intruder and attacks it. In the long term, this immune response damages the lining of the intestine, inhibits its ability to absorb nutrients and can cause bloating, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue and anemia. Celiac can lead to more serious complications if left undiagnosed.

The good news is that Celiac Disease is pretty rare and only affects about 1% of the population in western countries. The exact cause of the disease is not known, but what is known shows a correlation between the genes, the gluten protein and environmental factors. You cannot catch Celiac from someone, though it could be passed on to you in your genes from a family member. But, how would you know if you had Celiac Disease and needed to go gluten-free?

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS – ADULTS

Adults with Celiac often experience diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue and weight loss and feel bloated, nauseous, constipated or have generalized abdominal pain. Celiac can also cause some issues with the body that are not associated with the digestive tract, but stem from the body’s inability to absorb nutrients effectively. More than half of adults with Celiac often have or experience: anemia, bone density loss, bone softening, damage to tooth enamel, itchy or blistery skin rash, joint pain, ulcers in the mouth, headaches, fatigue, heartburn or acid reflux, nerve damage represented by numbness and tingling in the hands and/or feet, cognitive impairment and issues with balance.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS – CHILDREN

Young children under two years old may experience vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, poor appetite or muscle wasting. Also a swollen belly, like a pot belly, may indicate a gluten sensitivity in young children.

Older children may experience diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, irritability and neurological issues like ADHD, learning disabilities, headaches, seizures and lack of muscle coordination. Short stature and delayed puberty are also signs in older children.

ITCHY BLISTERY RASH

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a rash associated with changes in the lining of the small intestine, which are identical to the changes in the lining associated with Celiac Disease. Celiac may not produce noticeable digestive issues, but instead, a person may experience an itchy, blistery rash on their elbows, knees, torso, scalp or buttocks.

SEE A DOCTOR IF…

If you suspect you might have a gluten sensitivity, then see your doctor and they will be able to test you for it and diagnose you properly. If you suspect you are and go off gluten for a significant period of time before seeing your doctor, it can be very difficult to tell whether you are sensitive or not. If they diagnose you with Celiac, then they can help you to avoid foods with the gluten protein and prevent any nutritional deficiencies that may arise from such a dramatic change in diet.

FASHIONABLE TO GO GLUTEN FREE

Lately, it has become all the rage to go gluten free in your diet, but there is not medical evidence that a gluten-free diet benefits you unless you have Celiac Disease or are Gluten-sensitive. This is good news for people who actually suffer from Celiac as gluten-free foods used to be hard to find.

“People who are sensitive to gluten may feel better, but a larger portion will derive no significant benefit from the practice. They’ll simply waste their money, because these products are expensive,” says Dr. Leffler, who is also an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Unless you have Celiac Disease, you will likely derive zero benefit from a gluten-free diet. The Placebo Effect might convince you that you feel better, but your body chemistry and health will likely remain unchanged. The biggest thing you should do is have a serious discussion with your doctor and let them run some tests and accurately diagnose you before significantly changing your diet.

If you change your diet without good guidance from a doctor or nutritionist, you could run into vitamin deficiencies, since most wheat products in the US are fortified with vitamins, especially vitamin B. Also reducing or eliminating wheat and rye can also reduce your fiber intake. The average American already has a diet very low in fiber and reducing that further could cause other digestive issues on their own. When in doubt about any aspect of your health, see your physician and get some expert advice.

Balance Order & Harmony

Best Diets When You Have Diabetes

Check All the Boxes

The right diet will help you control your blood sugar, get a handle on your weight, and feel better. Several well-known and popular eating plans may give you the road map to do just that. You'll want to choose something you can follow, with foods you like, so you can stick with it.

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Start With the Basics

Watch your portion sizes and calories. Cut back on fried foods, sweets, sugary drinks, and anything salty or fatty. Focus instead on lots of veggies, with whole grains, lean protein, low-fat dairy, fruit, and healthy fats. You may need to eat every few hours to keep your blood sugar levels steady. Your doctor or diabetes educator can help you fine-tune a diet so it works for you.

Low-Carb

You don't have to give up carbohydrates because you have diabetes. If you want to try a diet that limits them, like Atkins or South Beach, talk to your doctor about it. Research on the benefits of low-carb diets for type 2 diabetes is still mixed. But a review written by 25 leading experts says this style of eating should be the first step in managing the disease, since it can "reliably reduce high blood glucose."

Mediterranean Diet

This heart-healthy diet uses lots of fruits and veggies as well as fish, chicken, nuts, olive oil, legumes, and whole grains. What you won't eat often: Red meat, butter, and salt. Studies have shown the diet can help keep blood sugar levels under control. You can have wine with meals, but the American Diabetes Association recommends no more than one drink per day if you're a woman, two if you're a man.

DASH

Nutrition experts recommend this eating plan, designed to help lower blood pressure, to lots of people because it emphasizes fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, lean meats, fish, nuts, and beans. (It does allow for some sweets, too. You should eat those in moderation.) A 2011 study found that it can improve insulin sensitivity when it's part of an overall weight loss program with exercise.

The Zone Diet

Its goal is to keep blood sugar levels stable. Meals are 40% carbs, 30% protein, and 30% fat. Carbs are ranked as good or bad based on the glycemic index. You'll have foods like chicken and barley, but not potatoes and egg yolks. A 2015 study found it had a positive effect on glycemic control and waist size, so it may be a good choice. Ask your doctor about it.

Weight Watchers

You get a set number of points to "spend" as you eat. Most vegetables have zero points, so you can eat as much of them as you like, while fast foods and desserts are assigned high point values. Studies say it's effective. And the company offers a program for people with type 2 diabetes that includes fitness advice and support from a counselor with expertise in treating the disease.

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Prepackaged Diet Meals

Whether you have them delivered to your home or pick them up at a grocery store, there's a huge variety of ready-made meals out there. Be careful: They can have very long lists of ingredients, and they aren't always diabetes-friendly. Some brands, like Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig, do offer meals tailored for diabetes. Talk to your doctor to help narrow down your choices.

Paleo

The idea behind this trendy diet is to eat the way early humans did before modern farming, when we were hunter-gatherers. That means no dairy, refined sugar, grains, or legumes, and no processed vegetable oils like soybean oil or canola oil. You can have fruits and veggies, lean meats (preferably grass-fed), fish, nuts, and seeds. It may sound healthy, but there's little scientific data looking at how it affects diabetes.

Gluten-Free

Gluten is a protein found in grains including wheat, rye, and barley. People with digestive disorders like celiac disease need to avoid it. Popular belief is that going gluten-free will help you lose weight, improve digestion, and boost energy. But these claims aren't backed up by science. Plus, gluten is in everything from salad dressing to vitamins. There's no need to follow this diet unless your doctor advises it.