| Cinnamon (cinnamomum zeylanicum) comes from the | | | | other geological areas. It is one of the commonest |
| bark of the laurel tree. There are more than 4000 | | | | spices and supply has been able to keep up with |
| species of this tree but true cinnamon comes from | | | | demand. |
| Sri Lanka. It is an evergreen tree and is so popular | | | | In modern aromatherapy, cinnamon essential oil is |
| that many countries have their own names for it. | | | | considered a base note. It can help to stave off the |
| The tree has long leaves, purple fruits with greenish | | | | common cold and is used as a digestive aid. The oil is |
| flowers. It has a sweet, spicy and complex aroma | | | | high in antioxidants and antimicrobial properties. Other |
| reminiscent of mom's homemade buns, apple | | | | uses include treatment for toothache and to fight |
| crumbles and everything nice to come home to. Its | | | | bad breath. Reputed to resist viral infections, restores |
| warmth is so comforting to the tired aching body. I | | | | heat to the body. Diffusing it in the room reduces |
| drink a cup of honey mixed with cinnamon powder | | | | drowsiness, headaches and keeps the blood flowing. |
| twice a week. That's enough sugar to keep me going | | | | It is said that the essential oil is an aphrodisiac and |
| and going and going.. | | | | helpful in certain cases of impotence. There is |
| The inner barks of the tree are dried under the sun | | | | evidence that diluted cinnamon in a spray can |
| before they curled up for use. As with many other | | | | eliminate mosquito larvae. If using this strong oil in the |
| essential oils, the people of bygone era had many | | | | bath, do not use more than 2 drops as it can be |
| uses for cinnamon. Ancient Romans burned the spice | | | | very irritating to the skin. Essential oil from the |
| at funerals to cover up the odor of dead bodies, the | | | | cinnamon tree leaves is better than the ones distilled |
| Egyptians used it in their embalming process. It is also | | | | from the tree bark. |
| good for use as a temple incense. The Chinese used | | | | Cinnamon is not to be confused with Cassia |
| it as a tonic to normalize temperature in the body. | | | | (Cinnamomum aromaticum) which has similar |
| In the mid 17th century, the Dutch displaced the | | | | properties and uses. Cassia is produced only in China |
| Portuguese to gain control over the trade of | | | | and has a better flavor than cinnamon even though |
| cinnamon spice. Early 18th century brought the British | | | | the difference is too slight to notice. |
| into the scene when they controlled the seas and | | | | I remember as a child, my grandmother always used |
| wrestled the monopoly from the Dutch. Details of | | | | cinnamon to rub on meats to tenderize them. She |
| this story is one for the history books. Personally, I | | | | said it can help to preserve the meat and cut |
| would prefer to read a cooking book. It seemed that | | | | bacterial growth. Things not to do: Do not ingest, do |
| people have been fighting with each other from the | | | | not use undiluted on skin. All essential oils have their |
| dawn of civilization. | | | | own suggested uses and one is advised to be |
| Although the original cinnamon came from Sri Lanka, | | | | responsible for its usage. |
| today the production of cinnamon has spread to | | | | |