Cinnamon. Beneficial features

Cinnamon, useful properties of which are mentioned even in the Old Testament and the sacred books of China, is known since the Pre-Bobe times. In ancient Egypt the powder of ground cinnamon was used for mummification. The Romans used it to tincture wines and flavor their homes. Killing his wife in a fit of anger, Roman dictator Nero burned several tons of priceless spice during the funeral ceremony as a token of his sorrow and remorse. And the island of Ceylon, being a colony of Portugal, sent this state as a tribute 110 tons of this spice annually.

Cinnamon is not a fruit, not leaves and not pollen. Produce it from the inner layer of the bark. Previously, the evergreen tree, whose bark is used for cooking cinnamon, grew only in Ceylon, but now cinnamon trees are grown in Brazil, and in Egypt, and in southeast Asia, and even in Madagascar. The bark of this tree is removed, dried and cut into pieces - in this way the highest quality product is produced. The cheaper cinnamon, whose useful properties are not so pronounced, is made from the bark of the cassia tree. As a rule, cassia is made from ground cinnamon.

To distinguish Ceylon cinnamon from cheap cassia is easy: a stick from the bark of cassia after drying is curled only from one end, and from the bark of cinnamon tree - from both. In the section, a stick of cinnamon is similar to a twisted mutton horn. The dried bark of a cinnamon tree is crushed without much effort, but after crushing cassia, rigid fibers remain. Cinnamon, whose useful properties are the highest, is obtained from the lightest and thinnest crust. As a rule, the spice of the highest grade has a lighter shade, as well as a sweetish-spicy taste and aroma. The best cinnamon in the world is produced, mainly in Ceylon.

Many people do not know how useful cinnamon is. First of all, this spice helps to lower the level of cholesterol and sugar in the blood. It is especially useful for patients with diabetes mellitus. To forget about their illness, it is enough for them to take half a teaspoon of cinnamon every morning. This spice is very useful for people with diseases of the respiratory tract, stomach and intestines. It contains such useful substances as calcium, magnesium, aldehyde, various essential oils and alcohols. And antioxidants in the teaspoon of ground cinnamon contain more than in a glass of blueberries.

A separate place in the recipes of traditional medicine is a mixture of cinnamon and honey. Those who eat a sandwich every day with cinnamon and honey, do not face cardiovascular diseases. This spice helps fight depression and chronic colds. Even the flavor of cinnamon brightens memory, improves mindfulness and helps to concentrate.

In dietetics cinnamon, useful properties for weight loss which has long been known, is used very widely, especially in combination with honey. This sweet mixture helps to reduce weight and reduce body volume, perfectly cleanses the body of toxins. In addition, cinnamon has a diuretic effect, which also helps to reduce weight. Tea with the addition of honey-cinnamon mixture not only promotes weight loss, but also has antiseptic properties. Prepare this tea is simple enough. To do this, you need two parts of ground cinnamon and one piece of honey. Cinnamon powder pour hot water and insist for half an hour. In a slightly harsh infusion, add honey and leave overnight in the refrigerator. Have half of this drink before breakfast, and what remains is in the evening, before going to bed. Use this drink regularly, and then find a slender figure will help the incoming cinnamon

Useful properties of this seasoning can be listed for a long time, because it is used not only in folk medicine and cooking, but also in perfumery, cosmetology and dietology. Widely apply it in Chinese medicine. Therefore, people who care about their own health should not be hammered into this useful and tasty spice.