Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Verum) (दालचीनी) | Introduction | Medicinal Benefits | Usage

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Verum) (दालचीनी) Introduction :

Cinnamon Bark

Cinnamon has been a popular aromatic spice since ages. It is one of the favorite spices of chefs around the world. Cinnamon is a herb and Ayurveda has defined usages of Cinnamon in several diseases. Being one of the best antioxidants, It is cultivated in the southern tropical part of the Indian subcontinent and China. It is native to Sri-Lanka. Vasco Da Gama, who discovered India, actually started his journey in quest of herbs and spices like Cinnamon.

Cinnamon's Common Names

Cinnamon’s plant is 5-20 meters long, brown in color, with rough and aromatic bark. Leaves are 7-15 cm long and 3-7 cm wide, distinct leathery with parallel veins that bind both edges and contain strong fragrance, bitter in taste, and pink to greenish in color. Flowers are yellow, tiny, and grow in clusters, green and white in color. Fruiting period is from July to December. Cinnamon Berry (fruit) is 1-2 cm long, oval in shape, violet in color, and turns black when mature.

Cinnamon (दालचीनी) Ayurvedic Properties (Gun-dharm)
Dosha	Cinnamon balances Vata and Kapha dosha while  aggravates pitta dosha
Rasa (Taste)	Madhur (sweet), katu (bitter), tikta (pungent)
Guna (Qualities)	Ruksha (dry), Tikshna, laghu (light)
Virya (Potency)	Ushna (hot)
Vipka(Post Digestion Effect)	katu
Others	Reduce blood glucose level (Anti-diabetic)

Cinnamon (दालचीनी) Benefits and Usage

• Benefits of Cinnamon in oral health:

• Toothache: Applying Cinnamon oil with cotton relieves toothache, Clove oil is also considered good for the ache.
• Cinnamon leaves and oil are used to make tooth powder (dant manjan) and pastes for clean and shiny teeth.
• Gingivitis: Cinnamon is very effective in swollen and bleeding gums.
• Mouth odor: A high amount of micro bacteria in cavities causes bad breath. Cinnamon is very effective to get rid of mouth odor by vanishing micro bacteria.

• Cinnamon Benefits for Eyes: Applying cinnamon oil to the eyelids prevents the flutter of the eyes and improves eye vision.

• Cinnamon Benefits for brain and head:

• Headache: Applying a paste of cinnamon leaves on the forehead is a suppression of pain caused by cold or heat
• Headache: alternatively applying cinnamon oil on the head gives immediate results in the headache.

• Cinnamon Benefits for Deafness: Dripping 2-2 drops of Cinnamon oil in the ear provides relief in deafness.

Cinnamon Bark

• Cinnamon Benefits for Stomach:

• Abdominal disorders: 3-5 grams of cinnamon powder with a spoon of honey, having it twice a day is beneficial in stomach diseases like diarrhea, bloating, cramps, and colitis.
• Natural Carminative and laxative: globally cinnamon calls a carminative (helps deal with flatulence stomach bloating), laxative (Clears Constipation), and a stomachic (improves appetite).
• Intestinal strain: Rubbing cinnamon oil on the stomach removes intestinal strain.
• Diarrhea: Use 5gm of Cinnamon powder with 5gm Catechu powder four times a day stops loose motion.

• Cinnamon Benefits for Arthritis: 

• Joints pain: Mix 1 spoon cinnamon-powder with 2 spoons of honey, make a paste. Massaging it slowly on joints is beneficial.
• 1 teaspoon honey and 2 grams powder of cinnamon in a cup of lukewarm water thrice a day, helps in arthritis.
• Applying cinnamon and oil helps in arthritis.

• Cinnamon Benefits for Skin:

• Cinnamon is Rich of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it slows down aging symptoms like fine lines and dark circles.
• A paste of cinnamon powder and honey can heal Itching, boils, pimples, and ringworms, it cures within a few days just by applying it on the affected part.
  
  

• Cinnamon Benefits for Diabetes: As an antioxidant Cinnamon is a boon for diabetic patients. a serving of 5gm for about 3-4 months reduces fasting blood sugar levels.

• Cinnamon Reduces cholesterol and heart problems: Mixing two spoons of honey and three teaspoons of pulse powder in a cup of water and taking it thrice daily reduces the amount of cholesterol in the blood and reduces the risk of heart problems.

Cinnamon Leaves

• Cinnamon Promotes weight loss: It has been scientifically proven to say that cinnamon promotes fat burning in the body and also reduces over hunger.

• Anti-cancer Properties: Cinnamon stimulates CD8 T cells which works as an anti-body in skin cancers.

• Cinnamon Benefits for Cough and Cold: Ayurveda has ample home remedies for general diseases for cough and cold. It is suggested to have a tea of cinnamon, ginger, basil, black pepper, and honey.

• Anticoagulant: Cinnamon is a blood thinner, it reduces blood clotting in blood vessels, and leads to a flawless blood circulation.

Cinnamon Side Effects:

• Its excessive intake causes headaches for those with hot nature.
• Overdosage of Cinnamon may cause irritation in the stomach and can lead to liver damage due to its hot potency.
• It May lower blood sugar level, it is advised to take doctor’s opinion for those who have lower blood sugar level.

Useful: Leaves, Inner Bark

Above Post is for Information Purposes, data are collected from various literatures or

experiences of many physicians (vaidya). Please do consult your doctor before trying.