Know about cinnamon or dalchini

Cinnamon is a common spice used by different cultures around the world for several centuries. It is obtained from the inner bark of trees from the genus Cinnamomum, a tropical evergreen plant that has two main varieties; Cinnamomum zeylanicum (CZ) and Cinnamon cassia (CC) (also known as Cinnamomum aromaticum/Chinese cinnamon).

                         Cinnamon has traditionally been used to  treat toothache and fight bad breath and its  regular use is believed to stave off common  cold and aid digestion. Cinnamon has been  reported to have remarkable  pharmacological effects in the treatment  of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin  resistance.

           

           In traditional medicine, cinnamon  has been used for digestive ailments such as  indigestion, gas and bloating, stomach upset,  and diarrhea. More recently, modern  medical research has turned its eye on  cinnamon and is coming up with some  intriguing results. It also works amazingly  on digestive disorders. It controls nauseate  feeling that encourages digestion process.  Add a tablespoon of powdered cinnamon in  warm water and then drink the mixture.

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It is  considered very effective on our digestive  system.As it possesses very sweet aroma  and beautiful fragrance it is used widely as  mouth freshener.It helps in controlling  severe headache. Many time, due to  extensive exposure to cold, our head starts  aching. In such circumstances, just prepare a  paste by mixing powdered cinnamon with  water. Apply this paste in your forehead. Let  it remain for few minutes, your pain will be  relieved in few minutes.Cinnamon is the  best remedy on acne. You just need to make  a paste of cinnamon powder and lime juice.  Apply this paste on affected part and wash it  after fifteen minutes. It cured pimples,  blackheads, and acne.It is also known as a  simple remedy to ward off the  infections.

Cinnamon has anti-clotting effect  on blood thus it is stops bleeding. Indians  knew about the therapeutic uses of this herb  before the 8th century. Cinnamon can be  used for natural birth-control. It has the  remarkable effect of checking the early  release of ova after child-birth. A piece  of cinnamon taken every night for a month  after child-birth delays menstruation for  more than 15 to 20 months thus preventing  early conception. It indirectly helps the  secretion of breast milk. Prolonged breast  feeding checks the restarting of  menstruation after child-birth, according to studies.

 Dried cinnamon leaves and inner  bark are used for flavouring cakes and  sweets and in curry powder. They are also  used in incense, dentifrices and  perfumes. Cinnamon bark oil is used for  flavouring confectionery and liqueurs. It is  also used in pharmaceutical and dental  preparations. Cinnamon leaf oil is used in  perfumes and flavouring as also in the  synthesis of vanillin. Cinnamon contains  some of the most diverse and effective  antioxidants of all plants, making it a vital  food in the control of oxidative stress. This  makes it a viable alternative in treating the  wide range of chronic diseases that are  associated with oxidative damage.

BIOLOGICAL SOURCES 

Cinnamon is a small tree that is native to Sri  Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Egypt and Nepal.  The name cinnamon is derived from a Greek  word meaning sweet wood. Cinnamon is  one of the oldest known spices that is widely  used due to its distinct odor and flavor. 

Scientific Name - Cinnamomum zeylanicum 

Indian Name - Dalchini. 

Properties - Astringent, stimulant,  carminative, anti-infective, antifungal,  

digestive aid 

Common Uses - Used as a flavoring for  

foods, it may aid digestion, and lessen the  

potential of food poisoning or food-borne  

disease. 

Parts Used - Oil, bark

CHEMICAL CONSTITUTION 

Cinnamon consist of moisture, protein, fat,  fiber, carbohydrates and ash, besides  calcium, phosphorous, iron, sodium,  potassium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin,  vitamin C and A. It also contains an  essential oil known as cinnamon oil. This oil  consists of substantial amount of eugenol.  The bark and green leaves also contain oil.  The root bark oil differs from both stem bark  and leaf oils.

OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS

1) Studies have been found that  cinnamon supplement have  beneficial effect on blood sugar, it  may be because cinnamon contain a  good amount of chromium, an  essential trace mineral that helps in  the action of insulin. 

2) Cinnamon is used for treating  rheumatism and other inflammations.

3) Cinnamon has antibacterial and  antifungal properties. It's active  against Candida albicans, the fungus  that causes yeast infections and  thrush, and Helicobacter pylori, the  bacteria responsible for stomach  ulcers. 

4) Cinnamon extracts can also inhibit  the growth of cultured tumor cells.  This effect may be due to the  presence of procyanidins and  eugenol in the bark extract. 

5) Cinnamon is also useful as a food  preservative to inhibit the growth of  common food-borne bacteria such as  Salmonella and E coli.
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