Cinnamon

Scientific Name: Cinnamomum cassia

Cinnamon – More Than Just a Spice
You’ve surely enjoyed the tasty flavor of cinnamon in your favorite foods and beverages.  But cinnamon is more than just a spice that makes food more flavorful.  It actually has health properties that will have you adding it to your routine over and over again.

If you’re suffering from a cold, cinnamon is a great additive to teas or ciders to help you heal quickly.  The essential oils in it help to boost your immunity and fight off disease.  It’s also a great remedy for digestive problems such as diarrhea and indigestion.  Just add a couple of cinnamon sticks to some tea and you’ll begin to receive the nutrients that can help to heal.

There have even been some recent studies that show that cinnamon can help to regulate blood sugar and help those who suffer from diabetes.  However, it’s not exactly known just how it works.  Still, adding cinnamon to your diet can help to regulate your blood sugar and is a useful practice.

If you’re suffering from bad breath, cinnamon can be a quick and easy cure.  Its spicy flavor actually tastes delicious while it helps to kill bad breath causing bacteria in the mouth.  If you’ve got a toothache, cinnamon can also help you to get some relief.

Cinnamon can also be used as an insect repellent.  You can add a few drops of cinnamon oil to your favorite lotion to help fight off mosquitoes.  Just be cautious about how much you use, because cinnamon can also irritate the skin.  You’ll only need a few drops.  If you can smell the cinnamon, you’ve used enough.

You can also take cinnamon oil and dilute it with water to create an insect repellent spray.  This can be used on clothing and even plants to help prevent problems with pesky bugs.  It’s safe to use around children and pets as well.

Cinnamon oil can also be used to kill mosquito larvae.  Add a few drops to standing water where you think mosquitoes may be lurking and you’ll prevent an infestation.  It’s a natural way to prevent problems from mosquitoes without using harsh chemicals.  It’s also very effective. 

While cinnamon provides delicious flavor for foods, you shouldn’t forget about all of the other things it can do for you.  Make sure to keep plenty of cinnamon sticks, cinnamon oil, and ground cinnamon in your stock of herbs.

One word of caution – using too much cinnamon at once can cause irritation in your mouth, skin, and can even cause problems with breathing.  Don’t try eating cinnamon by itself.  Always dilute it with a liquid to prevent these issues.  When used correctly, cinnamon is a great additive to your household routine.