Natural Health: Cinnamon

For millenia, human beings have sought methods for healing and health holistically. It is only in the last century or so that we’ve really sought out lab-produced medicines. As wonderful and life-saving as prescription medication can be, in our focus on pharmaceuticals, we’ve lost a lot of knowledge about God provided health and healing properties that grow naturally.

I would like to spend some posts looking at the benefits of some items that you likely will find in your home already. Our first item is cinnamon.

Cinnamon has an amazing array of health and healing benefits:

In a report published in 2003, 60 people with type 2 diabetes took 1, 3, or 6 grams of cinnamon in pill form daily (which ranges from about 1/4 of a teaspoon to about 1 teaspoon). After 40 days, all 3 amounts of cinnamon reduced fasting blood glucose by 18 to 29%, triglycerides by 23 to 30%, LDL (the “bad”) cholesterol by 7 to 27%, and total cholesterol by 12 to 26%. (I’m guessing that this cinnamon wasn’t consumed through cinnamon rolls! HAHA)
In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the generation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
Cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on the blood. (Which means that if you are on anti-clotting medication or are pregnant, you should use caution when injesting large amounts of cinnamon.)
Copenhagen University performed a study that revealed that patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder and one tablespoon of honey every morning had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.
Smelling cinnamon can boost cognitive function and memory. Several tests have been conducted on sucking on a piece of cinnamon candy or chewing a piece of cinnamon gum while performing tests on memory function, and have shown that peoples’ test scores improved when cinnamon was present.
Researchers at Kansas State University found that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.
Cinnamon has antimicrobial properties. When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative. The International Journal of Food Microbiology published a study in 2003 that showed that a few drops of cinnamon essential oil to 100 ml (approximately 3 ounces) of carrot broth that was then refrigerated inhibited the growth of the food-borne pathogenic Bacillus cereus for at least 60 days, which flourished without the cinnamon oil even though it was in the refrigerator.
Cinnamon has extremely high anti-oxidant activity, and the oil of cinnamon has strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It has shown an ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections. It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.
A paste made from five teaspoons of honey mixed with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder can relieve toothache pain. Apply a small amount directly onto the aching tooth 2 or 3 times daily until the pain is relieved.

All of this from that little jar in your cupboard that you pull out when you want to make cinnamon toast or apple pie! Think of cinnamon next time you’re looking for something to sprinkle on your oatmeal in the morning.

In a report published in 2003, 60 people with type 2 diabetes took 1, 3, or 6 grams of cinnamon in pill form daily (which ranges from about 1/4 of a teaspoon to about 1 teaspoon). After 40 days, all 3 amounts of cinnamon reduced fasting blood glucose by 18 to 29%, triglycerides by 23 to 30%, LDL cholesterol by 7 to 27%, and total cholesterol by 12 to 26%.

In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

Cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on the blood. (Which means that if you are on anti-clotting medication or are pregnant, you should use caution when injesting large amounts of cinnamon.)

In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.

Smelling cinnamon can boost cognitive function and memory.

Researchers at Kansas State University found that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.

Cinnamon has antimicrobial properties. When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative. The International Journal of Food Microbiology published a study in 2003 that showed that a few drops of cinnamon essential oil to 100 ml (approximately 3 ounces) of carrot broth that was then refrigerated inhibited the growth of the foodborne pathogenic Bacillus cereus for at least 60 days. When the broth was refrigerated without the addition of cinnamon oil, the pathogenic B. cereus flourished despite the cold temperature.

Cinnamon has extremely high anti-oxidant activity, and the oil of cinnamon has strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It has shown an ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections. It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.

Cinnamon has been known to help relieve toothache pain. Simply make a paste using five teaspoons of honey mixed with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply a small amount directly onto the aching tooth 2 or 3 times daily until the pain is relieved.