Medicinal properties of cinnamon

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF CINNAMON

MOST IMPORTANT MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF CINNAMON

INTERNAL USE PREPARATIONS WITH CINNAMON

A remedy for digestive system diseases

Cinnamon possesses carminative, anti-ulcer, stomach and antiemetic properties. The digestive properties of this plant are produced by essential oils which containg food-disgregating properties. Likewise, these oils are responsible for stimulating saliva and gastric juices to facilitate digestion. These virtues are used for the treatment of digestive abnormalities such as:

• Aerophagia: Carminative properties of this spice is conferred by camphor. This allows you to remedy the excessive gas or flatulence accumulated in the digestive tract. (Infusion of a spoonful of crumbled stick cinnamon per liter of water. Drink a pair of glasses per day)
• Difficult digestions: Its components allow you to stimulate gastric acid and promote the breakdown of food which aids digestion. (¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon sold in pharmacies or herbalists before meals on a wafer or mixed with honey)
• Abdominal pain: Cinnamon is very suitable for abdominal cramps. (¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon sold in pharmacies or herbalists before meals in wafer or mixed with honey)
• Acidity: Cinnamon is, at the same time, a good antacid against excessive acidity. Sprinkle a little cinnamon on foods will help reduce it and feel better.
• Lack of appetite: The special aroma of cinnamon stimulates the digestion and whets the appetite; it is indicated for cases of lack of appetite or anorexia. (Infusion of a spoonful of cinnamon shredded per liter of water. Drink two glasses a day half hour before meals) (add a pinch of cinnamon on the food after cooking and before serving)
• Vomits: Camphor provides cinnamon with antiemetic properties, ideal for the treatment of nausea or vomits. (¼ of a teaspoon of dust cinnamon, sold in pharmacies or herbalists, before meals on a wafer or mixed with honey)

Main curative properties of cinnamon

Cinnamon as an antiseptic and for intestinal health

Cinnamon has antiseptic, antibacterial and anthelmintic properties, to help eliminate pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms that cause intestinal putrefactions, especially in cases of constipation when food remains longer than necessary in the intestine.

Adding cinnamon to foods, in macerations or different preparations, cinnamon also prevents bacterial overgrowth that could cause food poisoning and diarrhea.

Other people chew cinnamon sticks daily to help fight off bacteria that cause bad breath and tooth decay.

For these uses it is recommended a cinnamon of good quality, preferably in cinnamon sticks or freshly ground. When cinnamon is ground (cinnamon powder), its essential oils are becoming volatilized and thus losing its antiseptic components (such as eugenol). It is recommended not to keep cinnamon powder for more than 12 months. Cinnamon sticks conserve oils better than the powdered spice.

Cinnamon to treat respiratory diseases

Respiratory Diseases: For its wealth of antibacterial, expectorant and anti-inflammatory, cinnamon is considered as a good ally of the digestive system in the treatment of common respiratory abnormalities.

Likewise, it has the ability to increase sweating and raise body temperature so it is particularly suitable for breathing problems caused by body cooling. Among them we can mention:

• Bronchitis: The use of this plant help expel mucus and reduce inflammation. (Take 2 or 3 drops of oil of cinnamon leaf dissolved in a glass of warm water sweetened with a teaspoon of honey three times a day. The essence can be found in pharmacies or herbalists) See contraindications and toxicity
• Colds: The use of cinnamon in colds helps patients feel better. (Take 2 or 3 drops of essence of cinnamon dissolved in a glass of warm water sweetened with a teaspoon of honey three times a day. The essence can be found in pharmacies or herbalists) See contraindications and toxicity
• Cough: The antitussive properties o the above the preparation help soothe coughs. See contraindications and toxicity

Cinnamon for diseases of the circulatory system

Diseases of the circulatory system: cinnamon possesses antiplatelet, antithrombotic and antiesclerotic properties, which encourage blood circulation. These properties have been used to treat abnormalities related to poor circulation.

Especially, it has been used to treat poor peripheral circulation in fingers and toes, particularly aggravated by cold. This spice has succeeded in improving circulation and increases body temperature which improves the condition of patients suffering from the fingers when it’s cold.

It would also be appropriate in the treatment of chilblains, which are compounded when freezes or contact with the snow or cold (Infusion of a spoonful of cinnamon shredded per liter of water. Drink two glasses per day)

Other medicinal uses of cinnamon

It has been verified that this plant is suitable for the treatment of other anomalies:

• Difficult Menstruations: Cinnamon helps regulate menstruation being useful in the irregular menstruations or the delays of the period (Infusion of a spoonful of shredded cinnamon per liter of water. Drink two glasses per day)
• Improve learning and concentration: Cinnamon in small amounts stimulates the nervous system and can be used to improve learning. In high doses, cinnamaldehyde is sedative and may make it difficult to study, although it would be useful when there is a lot of nervousness.
• Cancer: Cinnamaldehyde, present in the essential oil of cinnamon, has shown antioxidant properties by reducing the formation of free radicals. In that sense, some studies investigate cinnamon and its possible effect against cancer.
• Appetizing: Its aroma stimulates the production of digestive juices increasing your appetite (Infusion of a spoonful of shredded cinnamon per liter of water. Drink a few glasses a day half an hour before meals)
• Stimulant: Read more.
• Modifier of the flavor: Cinnamon is used in combination with other herbs to modify the flavor and odor.
• Urinary incontinence: Cinnamon has astringent properties, especially suitable to treat nocturnal incontinence (Chew a small branch of this plant)

EXTERNAL USE PREPARATIONS WITH CINNAMON

Used externally, cinnamon is used primarily as an antiseptic for the treatment of diseases related to bacteria and fungi. External application has been interesting in conditions such as:

• Fungi in feet and nails: These same properties are useful in treating foot fungi, especially in the socalled athlete’s foot and nail fungus. (Make a foot bath with the liquid from the infusion of two teaspoons of cinnamon broken up into a couple of liters of water.)
• Respiratory infections: For the treatment of the sore throat, pharyngitis laryngitis we can gargle with the liquid from the infusion of half a teaspoon of cinnamon shredded per glass of water.
• Mouth ulcers: In case of mouth ulcers, make mouthwashes with the previous preparation.
• Bad breath: The coumarins and vanilla have bacteriostatic properties which precludes the development of bacteria in the leftover food from the mouth and prevent halitosis. Keep in mind that cinnamon contains about 50 aromatic components, mainly for being rich in terpenes. (Perform rinses with the liquid from the infusion of a couple of tablespoons of shredded cinnamon per liter of water) Do not ingest.

Essential oil of cinnamon

The essential oil of cinnamon is obtained by distilling the leaves or inner bark of this plant. The cinnamon leaf oil should only be administered under medical supervision. Its use may be responsible for the occurrence of digestive or kidney problems. In external use should be diluted and should be used with caution to avoid irritation.

The essential oil of cinnamon bark should not be used in internal or external use, since it is a powerful poison. In external use on skin it may cause dermatitis or burns if not diluted with a carrier oil.

* Related information :

– Toxicity of cinnamom

– Contraindications of cinnamon

– Side effects of cinnamon

How to preserve cinnamon?

Cinnamon sticks should be kept in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry place protected from light.

Can the leaves of the cinnamon tree be used?

The leaves of the cinnamon tree also contain essential oils, so a certain phytotherapeutic effect can be expected. These leaves are very rich in eugenol, with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, carminative, pesticidal, vasodilating, … Also they contain cinnamaldehyde, safrole, beta-caryophyllene, sesquiterpenes.

Because of its safrole content, caution should be exercised with these infusions (caution, since safrole is carcinogenic, although only in high doses or if taken very frequently).

The leaves of cinnamon also contain coumarins (antivitamin K), so it should be used with caution, especially in the case of taking medicines.

More information on cinnamon.

Written by Editorial Botanical-online team in charge of content writing

25 November, 2021