Cinnamon | Plant, Spice, History, & Uses (2024)

FAQs

Cinnamon | Plant, Spice, History, & Uses? ›

Cinnamon was once more valuable than gold. In Egypt it was sought for embalming and religious practices. In medieval Europe it was used for religious rites and as a flavouring. Later it was the most profitable spice in the Dutch East India Company trade.

In Ancient Egypt, cinnamon was used to embalm mummies. From the Ptolemaic Kingdom onward, Ancient Egyptian recipes for kyphi, an aromatic used for burning, included cinnamon and cassia. The gifts of Hellenistic rulers to temples sometimes included cassia and cinnamon.

In old and modern traditional treatment, cinnamon is used for curing abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, hypertension, chest pains, kidney diseases and rheumatism. The extracts are also used as an antioxidant and for hepatoprotective purposes [40][41][42] [43] .

During the Middle Ages, cinnamon was a favoured spice for banquet foods, and was believed to both stimulate appetite and aid digestion. It was also believed to be an aphrodisiac. Medieval physicians believed cinnamon could soothe respiratory afflictions such as coughing, hoarseness, and sore throats.

The Roman empire imported huge amounts of cinnamon, and it may have been used mostly in perfumes and fragrances and to flavor wines, but it was not favored as a cooking spice. In the Middle Ages and subsequently, cinnamon, was imported from Egypt, having been brought there by Arabian traders who obtained it in Ceylon.

Cinnamon is made from tree bark and contains cellulose, a substance that doesn't break down easily. While tolerable in very small amounts, in larger concentrated amounts cinnamon can cause kids to gag, cough, choke, and have a burning sensation in the mouth, nose, and throat.

Cinnamon could lower your triglycerides and your total cholesterol levels, which could help prevent heart disease. If you take supplements with at least 1.5 grams of cinnamon a day, it may lower your total cholesterol, LDL (or bad) cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar if you have metabolic disease.

Culinary Uses

Cinnamon is predominant in the spice blends of the East and Southeast Asia. It is a component of Chinese five spice powder (along with star anise, cloves, pepper, and fennel).

The use of cinnamon goes back to ancient Egypt. It was used as medicine, as a spice and as an embalming agent. Cinnamon was considered more precious than gold and was once traded as currency.

By adding a few drops of cinnamon oil to your favorite lotion or sunscreen, you can make your own natural and safe insect repellent. Apparently, ants do not like cinnamon either and will stay away from it. Try placing some cinnamon sticks in problem ant areas in and around your home to get rid of an ant problem.

What illness is cinnamon good for? ›

Overall, the vast majority of research on cinnamon shows a plethora of benefits, and studies are continuing to be published that provide further evidence. Compounds in cinnamon might help prevent Alzheimer's disease, decrease inflammation in arthritis, and limit the hardening of artery walls (arteriosclerosis).

Thanks to the many beneficial compounds it contains, it may help lower blood sugar levels, reduce heart disease risk factors, and reduce inflammation. For best results, be sure to opt for Ceylon cinnamon or stick to small doses if you're using the Cassia variety.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Cinnamon

Mentioned, like cassia, as a perfume. In Exodus 30:23 it is one of the ingredients of the "holy anointing oil"; in Proverbs 7:17 it is, along with myrrh and aloes, a perfume for a bed; in Song of Solomon 4:14 it is a very precious spice.

Cinnamon is an ancient spice that predates the recorded history of culinary applications of all spices. As such, it has been dubbed the “world's oldest spice”, which may be a warranted title, knowing that because it was found to be included in Egyptian embalming recipes.

Cinnamon is a spice that can be used as a traditional medicine to control blood pressure, tumor growth, diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The nutrient composition of cinnamon reveals a great amount of vitamins and minerals and the main bioactive compounds are polyphenols and cinnamaldehyde.

Cinnamon is a powerful spice mentioned in various Biblical verses, symbolizing the holiness and magnificence of God. Hebrew meaning of cinnamon, "kinamon" or "qinamon", signifies strength, wealth and wisdom. It is used as an anointing oil for the Tabernacle and other objects, highlighting its sacredness.

In Medieval times, it was used as a medicine for various ailments, including a sore throat. E. Its source was kept mysterious in the Mediterranean world for centuries by the middlemen who handled the spice trade, but cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka, which is in India.