Brian Wainstein of GenXXL’s The Natural Medicine Cabinet: Cinnamon - Its distinct aroma can make your mouth water, and I’d bet you have some in your spice rack right now.

Cinnamon, one of the oldest spices known to man has long been used, not just as a flavor enhancer, but also for its medicinal qualities.

Its unique healing abilities are derived from essential oils, such as cinnemaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate and cinnamyl alcohol, that come from the cinnamon tree bark.

Cinnamon is an anti-oxidant, and its essential oils have strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It has also been used centuries over for its qualities as a sedative and pain reliever.

GenXXL’s The Natural Medicine Cabinet: Cinnamon - Cassia vs. Ceylon . The two most popular types of cinnamon are Cassia and Ceylon.

Ceylon cinnamon, often referred to as "real cinnamon" or "true cinnamon," is usually more expensive than Cassia and has a more delicate flavor, with hints of citrus, floral and cloves.

It is lighter in color, more brittle, and its bark coils into a single-spiraled stick (or quill). Ceylon cinnamon is the cinnamon most associated with the potential health benefits involving the regulation of blood sugar.

Cassia cinnamon varieties have a stronger, more intense and sometimes hotter flavor than Ceylon cinnamon due to an increased percentage of cinnamaldehyde — up to 5-6 percent by weight.

With its reddish brown wood-like texture, Cassia has a significantly higher amount of the blood-thinning phytochemical coumarin, which may pose a risk if consumed in substantial amounts on a regular basis.

This has led European health agencies to warn against consuming large amounts of the spice. Ceylon on the other hand contains negligible amounts of coumarin.

GenXXL’s The Natural Medicine Cabinet: Cinnamon - What to Buy. Cinnamon comes in both stick and ground form. The sticks have a longer shelf life — about one year.

While ground cinnamon powder tends to have a stronger flavor in general, its shelf life is only about 6 months. For those of you not using the spice nearly enough, this article may at least prompt you to replace your existing stash.

It’s important to note that while it’s easy to tell the difference between Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon sticks, it’s not so easy with ground cinnamon. Be a label reader to identify the source, or consider purchasing Ceylon sticks and grinding them yourself.

For the purpose of this article, the facts and home remedies below are based on the use of Ceylon cinnamon.

GenXXL’s The Natural Medicine Cabinet: Cinnamon - Help for Your Heart. Cinnamon strengthens the cardiovascular system, shielding the body from heart-related disorders and acts as a blood-thinning agent, which increases circulation.

Because of its high levels of calcium and fiber, cinnamon also helps prevent against heart diseases, including coronary artery disease and high blood pressure.

The natural blood thinning and anti-inflammatory compounds in cinnamon have also proven to be useful in reducing the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.

A study conducted at Copenhagen University had patients taking half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning. These patients saw significant relief in their arthritis pain after only one week, and some could walk without pain within one month.

GenXXL’s The Natural Medicine Cabinet: Cinnamon - Lessening the "Carb-Effect"

"They" Said

From the Spice Cupboard: Cinnamon

Smart Spice: Cinnamon

Cinnamon vs. Cassia

Seasoning high-carb foods with cinnamon may also lessen the "carb effects" on blood sugar, which is great news for those who struggle with diabetes.

Cinnamon slows the rate at which the stomach absorbs food, thus lessening the spike in blood sugar after eating.

A study in Diabetes Care showed that blood glucose levels were reduced by 18 to 29 percent in patients taking cinnamon capsules ranging from 1mg to 6mg daily.

GenXXL’s The Natural Medicine Cabinet: Cinnamon - The Nose Knows. With its distinct and wonderful aroma, cinnamon also has been shown to boost brain activity.

A study led by Dr. P. Zoldaz at Wheeling Jesuit University noted, "Cinnamon, administered retronasally or orthonasally, improved participants’ scores on tasks related to attentional processes, virtual recognition memory, working memory and visual-motor response speed."

Studies so far have been inconclusive on the effects cinnamon has on brain function and memory in the elderly, but taken in small doses, it certainly can’t hurt.

The aromatic properties of cinnamon are also beneficial to your health. It has been considered an effective aid for treating depression, anxiety and tension.

You can burn a few drops of the essential oils of cinnamon in an oil diffuser or simply put a few drops on a cloth and breathe in the aroma when these feelings set in.

Of course, cinnamon will not replace anxiety or depression medication for those who need it. However, for those days when you’re just in a funk, it might just do the trick.

For nervous tension, try taking a pinch of ground cinnamon mixed with a teaspoon of honey each night before bed.

Cinnamon has long been used for its aphrodisiac properties as well. A few drops of oil in your diffuser, or even a cinnamon-scented candle, can set the mood for a romantic evening.

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