Cinnamon (Ceylon) Sticks 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Cinnamon (Ceylon) Sticks  100 g ($23.99), 50 g ($16.99), 25 g ($10.99)

Benefits:

Antioxidants  Antioxidants protect your body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Cinnamon is loaded with powerful antioxidants, including polyphenols.

One study found that cinnamon supplementation could significantly increase antioxidant levels in the blood while reducing levels of markers used to measure inflammation, such as C-reactive protein. In fact, the antioxidant effects of cinnamon are so powerful that it can even be used as a natural food preservative

Anti-inflammatory  Inflammation is incredibly important, as it helps your body respond to infections and repair tissue damage. However, inflammation can become a problem when it’s chronic and directed against your body’s own tissues. Cinnamon may be useful in this regard. Studies show that this spice and its antioxidants have potent anti-inflammatory properties.

Heart Disease  Cinnamon has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death around the globe.

According to one review, supplementing with at least 1.5 grams (g), or about 3/4 of a teaspoon (tsp.), of cinnamon per day was able to reduce levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and blood sugar in people with metabolic disease. Another review of 13 studies found that cinnamon could reduce triglyceride and total cholesterol levels, both of which are risk factors for heart disease. Cinnamon has also been shown to reduce blood pressure when consumed consistently for at least 8 weeks. When combined, all of these factors could help reduce your risk of heart disease.

Diabetes  Insulin is one of the key hormones that regulate metabolism and energy use. It’s also essential for transporting blood sugar from your bloodstream to your cells. However, some people are resistant to the effects of insulin. This is known as insulin resistance, a hallmark of conditions like metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

While more research is needed, some studies suggest that cinnamon may be able to reduce insulin resistance. By increasing insulin sensitivity, cinnamon can lower blood sugar levels and support better blood sugar control.

Cinnamon is well known for its blood-sugar-lowering properties. Apart from the beneficial effects on insulin resistance, cinnamon can lower blood sugar through several other mechanisms. First, cinnamon has been shown to decrease the amount of sugar that enters your bloodstream after a meal. It does this by interfering with numerous digestive enzymes, which slows the breakdown of carbohydrates in your digestive tract.

Second, a compound in cinnamon may mimic the effects of insulin to improve the uptake of sugar into the cells. Numerous human studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of cinnamon, showing that it can lower fasting blood sugar levels and improve hemoglobin A1c, a marker of long-term blood sugar control.

Neurodegenerative Diseases  Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive loss of the structure or function of nerve cells. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are two of the most common types. Certain compounds found in cinnamon appear to inhibit the buildup of a protein called tau in the brain, which is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. In a 2014 study in mice with Parkinson’s disease, cinnamon helped protect neurons, normalized neurotransmitter levels, and improved motor function.

Cancer  Cinnamon has been widely studied for its potential use in cancer prevention and treatment.

Overall, the evidence is limited to test-tube and animal studies, which suggest that cinnamon extracts may protect against cancer. It acts by reducing the growth of cancer cells and the formation of blood vessels in tumours and appears to be toxic to cancer cells, causing cell death. One study in mice with ovarian cancer found that cinnamaldehyde could block the expression of certain proteins involved in cancer growth. These findings were supported by test-tube experiments, which showed that cinnamaldehyde could reduce the growth and spread of ovarian cancer cells.

Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Fungal  Cinnamaldehyde, one of the main active components of cinnamon, may be beneficial against various kinds of infection.

Test-tube studies suggest that cinnamon oil could help kill certain fungi that cause respiratory tract infections. It may also inhibit the growth of certain bacteria, including Listeria and Salmonella. Plus, the antimicrobial effects of cinnamon may also help prevent tooth decay and reduce bad breath. However, the evidence is mostly limited to test-tube studies, so more research in humans is needed.

Some research suggests that cinnamon may help protect against certain viruses. For example, cinnamon extracted from Cassia varieties is thought to be beneficial against HIV-1, the most common strain of HIV in humans. Other studies suggest that cinnamon could also protect against other viruses, including influenza and Dengue, a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes.

Cassia or Ceylon?  The Cassia variety contains significant amounts of a compound called coumarin, which is believed to be harmful in large doses. All cinnamon should have health benefits, but Cassia may cause problems in large doses due to the coumarin content.

Ceylon (“true” cinnamon) is much better in this regard, and studies show that it’s much lower in coumarin than the Cassia variety. Compared to Ceylon cinnamon, Cassia cinnamon is generally more affordable and more widely available.

 

Botanical Name: Cinnamomum zeylanicum
English: True Cinnamon
Ayurveda: Darusita, Tvak, Daaruchini, Chochaa, Choncha, Varaanga, Utkata, Daarusitaa
Also, known as: Lavangappattai, kaneel, Dar cini, Xi lan rou gui, Tvak, Kanela, Darchini, Echter Zimt. Canella, Seiron nikkei, Kayu manis, Canela, Canelo de Ceilan, Zimtbaum, Cannelle, Canela, Cannella, Kayu manis, Elavangappattai, Daalchini, Daarchini, Darchini, Dalcheni, Daruchini, Karuvapatta, llavargathely, Dalechini, Guda twak, Lavangapattai, Karuvapattai
Origin: Sri Lanka
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Bark

General Information:
There are more than 100 varieties of cinnamon trees, but there are two main species that are commercially available. Cinnamomum cassia (cassia cinnamon) is the one you are most likely to encounter on spice shelves in stores across the world. This cinnamon is native to Indonesia and now grows in tropical climates around the world. Cinnamomum zeylanicum is commonly called Ceylon cinnamon. Grown in Sri Lanka and consider it “true” cinnamon.

Ceylon Cinnamon is a very well-known and one of the oldest of all spice around the world, adding fragrance and warmth to everything from breakfast, cereals, and cookies to curries and roasts. The rich history of this aromatic spice found in the Bible and in Sanskrit texts. Roughly 2,000 years ago, cinnamon was having 15 times more value than the silver of the same weight.

The tree grows from 20 to 30 feet high, has thick scabrous bark, strong branches, young shoots speckled green orange, the leaves petiolate, entire, leathery when mature, upper side shiny green, underside lighter, flowers, small white in panicles; fruit, an oval berry like an acorn in its receptacle, bluish when ripe with white spots on it. Trees are propagated from seeds or cuttings and are grown in humid tropical regions. Cultivation methods for cinnamon trees have been passed down for centuries and remain mostly unchanged to this day. Plantation trees are heavily pruned when they are two years old. This pruning creates a lot of bushy shoots at the base of the tree. These shoots are harvested about twice a year, after heavy monsoon rains make them easier to process. Then the hard work begins by separating the inner bark of each shoot from the rest of the stalk. Layers of this inner bark are pressed together and then laid out to dry, and during this time the bark curls to form cinnamon “sticks,” also called cinnamon quill After they are properly dried, they are cut to size and shipped around the world.

Dosage

The effective dose is typically 1–6 g, or around 0.5–2 tsp. of cinnamon per day.

How to use:
As a spice.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.