Fat Burning Food

One childhood treat I fondly remember was cinnamon toast, the cinnamon swirled through the bread and a light coating of frosting on top. For variety, we also liked to sprinkle cinnamon powder and sugar on regular bread. All our homemade bread now contains a teaspoon of cinnamon. The compliments we get for its flavor affirm our enjoyment of it.

Cinnamon is an ancient spice. Even the Bible speaks of using cinnamon, especially because of its aroma. China was using cinnamon 2800 years before Christ. Cinnamon was used in embalming in ancient Egypt and Rome. Egypt also used cinnamon in flavoring food and as a medicine. A person’s social rank could be determined by the number of spices he owned.

The word ‘cinnamon’ comes from the Greek kinnamomon that, in turn, comes from the word Ceylon. Cinnamon is the bark of the cinnamon tree. When it is dried, the bark rolls into a tubular form known as a quill. It can be purchased as quills or in the more useable form of a powder. The distinct flavor and odor of cinnamon comes from a chemical called cinnamaldehyde.

Actually cinnamon is produced only in Ceylon, now called Sri Lanka, and they produce over 11,000 tons a year. That would fill up 150,000,000 spice bottles the size we buy! But if you buy cinnamon powder in the US you are probably buying cassia, also called Chinese cinnamon. To get the sweeter real stuff, you will probably have to go to a spice shop.

Though it is true that cinnamon is most commonly viewed as a spice, it contains many health benefits. For example, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon daily can lower harmful cholesterol. It may also help to regulate blood sugar, a great benefit to those with Type 2 diabetes.

The Weekly World News for January 17^th, 1995 contained an article listing twenty-one health problems that might fear the patient taking honey and cinnamon regularly. The list contains such common things as bladder infections, insect bites, toothache, heart disease, arthritis, and common colds.

The Maryland division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed that cinnamon reduces the spread of some cancer cells including lymphoma and leukemia. Cinnamon also has an anti-clotting effect on the blood. It has also quickly decreased arthritic pain. Cinnamon is a natural food preservative by its ability to inhibit bacterial growth and food spoilage.

Regular use of cinnamon also boosts brain power and fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices. It is a rich source of calcium, manganese, iron, and fiber, and helps remove bile from the bowel thus reducing the risk of colon cancer. Fiber in cinnamon can also help with the relief of constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.

Cinnamon contains antiparasitic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. It helps in fighting off yeast infections in the mouth and vagina, and reduces the risk of stomach ulcers and head lice. This remarkable list of health benefits is due to its three basic types of essential oils.

How about trying the cinnamon based ‘thieves’ oil’ so named because grave robbers sanitized themselves from the ‘demons’ of bubonic plague by washing in it. {It is made from equal amounts of cinnamon bark, eucalyptus, lemon, and clove with rosemary therapeutic grade essential oils You make it mixing equal amounts of rosemary therapeutic grade essential oils and eucalyptus, cinnamon bark, lemon, and clove}. This is mixed with a carrier of olive oil or jojoba.

Besides its health and seasoning qualities, cinnamon has also been used for warming. It gives relief from the symptoms of the onset of a cold or flu, especially when mixed with some fresh ginger in a tea. Some women say this drink also relieves them of menstrual problems.

Though cinnamon is healthy, use it in moderation for cinnamon is known to be toxic in large doses. And don’t stop taking your medications because of what you learned here. Cinnamon should be stored in glass containers in a dark, dry, cool place. The continued sweet smell tells you it is still fresh.

Cinnamon strengthens the health of the whole body. But please be sure you buy cinnamon powder from a store that sells bulk herbs so as to receive all the advantages this amazing spice has to offer.

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