WHY CHOOSE CEYLON CINNAMON?

The bark of cinnamon has been used as a spice and as a herbal remedy for the treatment of common colds, cardiovascular diseases and for chronic gastrointestinal ailments in herbal medicine

Ceylon Cinnamon has been known for centuries. It is said that the first mention of Cinnamon originating from Ceylon was mentioned in Persian physician Zakariya al-qazwini's geographical dictionary titled ‘Monument of Places and History of God's Bondsmen' in about 1270. When the Portuguese invaded Sri Lanka and discovered cinnamon they held the monopoly over it, later followed by the Dutch and the British. Today it is recognized for its fabulous health properties and is an essential spice found in almost every household while also having an international market.

Here, Prof. Renuka Silva from the Department of Applied Nutrition, Faculty of Livestock Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka gives a broader perspective on the importance of Ceylon Cinnamon.

Q WHAT ARE THE HISTORICAL USAGES OF CINNAMON?

Cinnamon is derived from a Greek word that means sweet wood. Cinnamon which comes from the inner bark of tropical evergreen cinnamon trees is commonly used as a spice in our day to day culinary practices. Cinnamon has a long history of use in traditional Asian medicine and is most often combined with other herbs. The Egyptians and the Chinese have been using cinnamon in food preparations and in traditional medicine since ancient times.

In addition, this spice has been found to have strong properties in protecting our body from germs such as bacteria and harmful reactions which damage our body tissues. When something damages your cells, your body releases chemicals that trigger a response from your immune system and causes fever and inflammation. Thus, cinnamon has been used as a substance to avoid such ailments and to repair tissues. The bark of cinnamon has been used as a spice and a herbal remedy for the treatment of common colds, cardiovascular diseases and for chronic gastrointestinal and female reproduction organs in oriental herbal medicine.

Also, cinnamon has been used for treating sore throats, cough, indigestion, abdominal cramps, nausea, accumulation of gas in gut and diarrhoea.

These uses were then continued by the American Eclectic physicians in the nineteenth century, who primarily applied it as a stimulant, tonic, assisting digestion, relieving flatulence (gas), and as an applicant to the skin to reduce bleeding from minor abrasions. Also, they incorporated cinnamon into formulas to correct the effects and improve the flavour of other medicines. All types of cinnamon have been used in many traditions in treatments for a variety of cancers.

Q WHAT MAKES CEYLON CINNAMON STAND OUT FROM THE REST OF THE CINNAMON VARIETIES?

There are two main varieties of cinnamon: the Ceylon or true cinnamon (the botanic name is Cinnamon Zeylanicum), which is grown in Sri Lanka and Southern India, and cassia (Cinnamom Aromaticum), which is grown in China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Cinnamon and cassia, when dried, rolls into a tubular form known as a quill or cinnamon stick. The ‘true cinnamon’ which is grown in Sri Lanka is considered as the best quality cinnamon in the world market. Widely known as Ceylon cinnamon, it is sweeter, lighter and more refined than cassia and is also expensive in the world market. True cinnamon is most suitable for flavouring desserts.

The oil in cinnamon gives pleasant aroma and flavour. Besides flavour, the distinguishable difference between the two spices is in their levels of coumarin, natural compound that acts as a blood thinner when ingested. Cassia has much higher levels of coumarin than true cinnamon. In especially sensitive persons, even comparatively small quantities of coumarin can cause liver damage. Patients on blood thinners such as warfarin are often advised to limit their intake of cassia.

Q WHAT ARE THE PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF CINNAMON?

Antioxidant compounds present in foodstuffs play a vital role in human life, acting as health-protecting agents. Antioxidants have been considered as the most important drivers against various diseases such as cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Although research done on pharmacological characteristics of cinnamon is limited, studies using animals showed several beneficial effects on gut health and insulin secretion. The latter believed to provide benefits in controlling blood sugar. Recently, cinnamon supplements received increased attention for their use in treating high blood glucose and lipid levels.

Research showed some beneficial effects on some leading conditions that could lead to heart diseases. A recent study suggests that taking 1.5 grams of cinnamon daily may be effective in improving non-alcoholic fatty liver (a liver disease). Cinnamon showed promising results in lowering infections and other cell reactions.

Q WHAT ARE THE MAIN ACTIVE COMPONENTS OF CEYLON CINNAMON?

The most important constituents of cinnamon are cinnamaldehyde, cinnamate, cinnamic acid, and numerous essential oils. Cinnamon bark contains procyanidins and catechins. These compounds extracted from cinnamon and berries also possess antioxidant activities (preventing some excessive unwanted reactions in our body and in food). Ceylon cinnamon contains lower amount of coumarin as mentioned above.

Q WHAT ARE THE MAJOR HEALTH BENEFITS OF CEYLON CINNAMON?

A study done in Sri Lanka using rats showed cinnamon water extract lowers the blood glucose, food intake and bad Ldl-cholesterol. Other studies showed Ceylon cinnamon has a potential for reducing blood glucose level through various ways. Therefore, we can suggest that it may provide beneficial effects for diabetics.

In a research conducted at Wayamba University, 3 grams of cinnamon powder was given to individuals who had slightly higher blood pressure, after brewing in boiled water. After consuming cinnamon powder for 8 weeks, they showed a reduction in blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) compared with their levels at the time they did not consume cinnamon. In addition, their body weight, body fat, blood glucose, blood lipids including cholesterol and triglycerides were lowered. Also, their body insulin action was improved.