Cinnfully delicious cinnamon- Cinnamon Week

Cinnamon is a delightful spice that is taken from the bark of several different tree species with the genus of, you guessed it, Cinnamomum. This tree is around 25 feet high stereotypically, with black spots while commonly being native SouthEast Asia area. While being a relatively used spice, it is not recommended for people in pregnancy due to potential overstimulation. Originally, the spice can even be traced back as a method to prevent spoiling by countries such as Egypt while also being used to aid the sick in Europe during bubonic plague and in China along with ginger. It also has an interesting part in history in which its' value was fluctuating at one point being worth many times more than silver. It was even considered as a gift suitable for a king/queen such as all of you!

Nowadays, it is so popularized throughout the world and can be found as an aromatic or a flavouring addition in many cuisines whether in sweet or savoury dishes. There are two main types of cinnamon being ceylon cinnamon which is known as the original and more authentic cinnamon, and also the cassia cinnamon which is your regular run of the mill cinnamon that you can get at your local store. Cinnamon is usually in stick form which is then ground into a thin powder form for easy use. They later can even be utilized in cereals, snacks, and also traditional delicacies. But did you know they are also one of the essential parts of Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Hot in nature, cinnamon or 肉桂 (rou gui) is considered both pungent and sweet. It can bring marvellous affects to your spleen, heart, kidney, and liver as it warms your very inner organs. Also to known to be helpful with diseases and issues in regards to stomach, lungs and intestines; cinnamon aids with yang deficiency as TCM and modern medicine has shown it can help with the following.

---

Health benefits:

• Metabolism

• Antioxidants

• Anti-inflammatory

• Diabetic aid

• May cut risk of heart disease

• Aids with cholesterol

• Lack of appetite and insomnia aid

• Lower blood sugar

• Fights against fungal/bacterial infections

• Stomach ache

• May help with neurodegenerative issues

• May fight against HIV

• May prevent MS

• More control over insulin levels

• Impotence

---

Though there are so many benefits, please do eat in moderation as too much cinnamon over time may lead to liver damage, mouth sores and maybe more. The benefits are significantly better and if you do worry check a dietitian in advance! Either way, over the next week we hope you will try at least one of our recipes with this delightful spice!