Cinnamon: benefits, harm, application, contraindications

Which housewife can find cinnamon in her kitchen? Yes, almost anyone who loves cooking, and cinnamon can be either whole or ground. Cinnamon sticks with a wonderful tasty smell are used for various baking and desserts. Cinnamon has great benefits, which this article will tell you about. You will also learn where else you can use cinnamon powder and what diseases it can prevent and cure.

Benefits of cinnamon

Most likely, no one thought that cinnamon comes in various types. Among them are Ceylon, Malabar, Chinese cinnamon and cinnamon. They differ in taste and smell. Cinnamon contains a lot of useful elements and vitamins. Its composition includes: vitamins E and C, calcium, potassium, essential oils, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, starch, eugenol, iron, monosaccharides, disaccharides, choline, pyridoxine and pantothenic acid.

In addition to the fact that cinnamon is added to buns, it has many other beneficial properties:

• helps with colds;
• burns fat deposits;
• stabilizes blood sugar;
• prevents blood clots;
• improves the cardiovascular system;
• eliminates bad breath;
• has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect;
• reduces pain during menstruation;
• relieves constipation, nausea;
• reduces headaches;
• helps as a diuretic;
• cures many diseases;
• improves the immune system;
• useful for kidney disease;
• lowers cholesterol levels;
• is an anticancer agent;
• increases vision, concentration;
• increases male potency and cures infertility.

Harm of cinnamon

Despite the fact that cinnamon sticks have great benefits, they also contain harm. Let's start with the fact that cinnamon is an irritant to the gastrointestinal tract, so you should never swallow it in packs, especially for people with peptic ulcers. It is also not recommended to take it in large quantities for people suffering from blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, or liver disease.

Cinnamon powder can cause miscarriage and uterine contractions in a pregnant woman. During treatment, it is necessary to refrain from taking cinnamon, because in tandem with pharmaceutical drugs, cinnamon changes their effect on the body. Naturally, it is better to consume the spice in moderation; if you exceed the “limit,” you can get a headache and loss of strength. In some cases, the powder causes allergic reactions.

Cinnamon contraindications

Cinnamon is contraindicated:

• women during pregnancy;
• small children;
• women who are breastfeeding;
• for ulcers;
• with poor blood clotting;
• with high blood pressure;
• at elevated body temperature;
• people with individual intolerance to this product;
• for diseases of the kidneys, liver, heart, gastrointestinal tract;
• with bleeding.

Cinnamon during pregnancy

As you can already see, cinnamon is contraindicated during pregnancy. But! Experts disagree on this issue. Some are categorically against cinnamon during the period pregnancy, but others highlight the beneficial qualities of this spice for expectant mothers. So, what is useful in it for women in labor:

1. Cinnamon is an antiseptic, so this effect is necessary for a pregnant woman.
2. The spice stimulates the functioning of the kidneys, pancreas, and liver, as a result of which it relieves the woman of edema.
3. This powder is recommended only for those females who have a completely healthy and good pregnancy. But strictly in limited quantities - half a small spoon.
4. You can take the spice for colds, migraines, pain in the liver and kidneys.
5. Cinnamon is also useful after pregnancy - it boosts the immune system and improves tone.
6. It is not recommended to use cinnamon if you have bleeding or are intolerant to this product, and you should never use cinnamon essential oil. It is extremely dangerous for pregnant women.

Uses of cinnamon

This aromatic spice is used in many areas. First, we need to talk about cooking. Cinnamon is used in most cases for making baked goods and desserts. Also added to various sauces, coffee, cocktails, mulled wine, ice cream. Next we should mention cosmetics: soaps, creams, shower gels, masks, they add cinnamon for aroma. It is even used for car enthusiasts; car “stinkers” are made from it.

Many people who want to lose weight take a variety of drinks based on cinnamon sticks or powder. The spice is also present in some medicines and is used in its pure form for the treatment and prevention of many diseases.

Not so long ago, the spice began to be used in the field of cosmetology. It is added to masks for face, hair, body, wraps, peelings, essential oil is used in massage and aromatherapy.

Cinnamon for weight loss

Cinnamon is a well-known fat burner, so you can often see various recipes for weight loss based on this spice. And this is indeed true, but still you should not consider this a panacea for extra pounds. After all, you won’t lose weight from cinnamon alone; you also need sports exercises, exercise, diets, and a balanced diet. But with cinnamon you can simply strengthen and slightly increase the result of your labors.

Cinnamon increases metabolism in the human body, which is why excess fats disappear. At the same time, you get rid of cholesterol, toxins and harmful waste, which also helps improve metabolism and reduce volume. You can prepare various drinks based on cinnamon powder and consume them throughout the day. Or arrange “easy days” for yourself with kefir and cinnamon.

• Fasting days - buy 1.5 liters of kefir, add a spoonful of ground cinnamon to it. Keep the drink in the refrigerator, drink a glass three times a day. The main rule is not to gobble up the next day with happiness that you have lost 1-1.5 kg.
• You can drink this drink only for dinner if you find it very difficult to last through the day. But here, of course, everything will drag on much longer, but the effect will still be there.
• In addition to cinnamon, you can add grated green apple to kefir. Grated fruit will cleanse the intestines and remove excess deposits.
• If there are no apples, they can be replaced with bran and prunes. For a glass of kefir, two tablespoons of bran and berries and half a spoon of spices.
• To a glass of kefir you can add a pinch of hot pepper, 0.5 spoons of ground cinnamon and grated ginger.
• In the evening, you can pour boiling water over ground cinnamon (500 ml/0.5 tsp), infuse it, and strain. Add honey and drink half of the liquid before bed, and leave the other part for the morning.
• Orange tea – pour boiling water over the tea leaves and leave to brew. In another container, mix a glass of water, a little granulated sugar, and put on fire. Then add orange zest and a pinch of cinnamon. Then let the mixture brew. Mix tea and orange infusion, first straining both liquids. For taste, you can add freshly squeezed apple juice.

If pain, diarrhea, or disorder suddenly occurs, you should immediately stop taking the drinks.

Cinnamon for hair

Due to antioxidant properties, the spice stimulates blood circulation inside the epidermis and hair follicles well. It improves hair growth, gives it shine, a healthy, well-groomed appearance, and after the procedures, the hair will smell pleasantly of cinnamon. This is why you can do masks with the addition of powder.

• To restore hair, combine a couple of tablespoons of heated olive oil, a spoonful of cinnamon powder, and a couple of tablespoons of heated honey. Spread the mixture on damp hair, wrapping it with film and a towel for 50 minutes. Afterwards wash your hair with shampoo.
• A mask made from ripe tomato, which must be mashed into puree, a beaten chicken egg, a spoonful of vegetable oil, a spoonful of ground cinnamon and a spoonful of warm honey, will perfectly get rid of split ends. Leave the mixture for about 25 minutes.
• For improved growth– grind a medium onion into a puree, add 5 chopped garlic cloves, a spoonful of honey and a couple of spoons of cinnamon. Apply only to the roots of the hair, wrapping it with film and a towel for 30 minutes.
• To moisturize dry hair, put an egg yolk and a spoonful of ground cinnamon into a glass of kefir. Apply massage movements to the hair roots and leave for about an hour.
• To lighten hair - mix 4 spoons of cinnamon powder, 5 spoons of heated honey, 150 ml of hair balm. Apply to clean, damp hair with a brush; do not rub into the skin to avoid burns. Wrap your hair in film and cover it with a towel for 45 minutes. After this, remove the towel and film and walk for another 4 hours with the mixture on your hair.

Cinnamon for face

There are a lot of ingredients in cinnamon sticks. For example, vitamin E - it perfectly nourishes the skin, renews skin cells, smoothes out wrinkles. In addition, cinnamon improves blood circulation, removes swelling, irritation, inflammation, dryness. Vitamin C helps the skin become more elastic, smooth and velvety. The spice is added not only to masks, but also to peeling, as it is an excellent cleanser. After the procedure, the skin may turn a little red, but this is not scary.

• A honey mask is suitable for dry skin. Mix a spoonful of honey, half a spoonful of ground cinnamon, and yolk. Leave on face for 25 minutes.
• For oily skin, combine the same ingredients, only replace the yolk with white.
• For normal skin, mix a spoonful of full-fat sour cream or yogurt without fillers with a spoonful of honey and half a spoonful of ground cinnamon.
• Get rid of the hated ones wrinkles and pigmentation will be helped by a mask mixed from 1⁄4 of a banana mashed, a spoon of lemon juice, a couple of spoons of fat sour cream, 1⁄4 of a spoon of cinnamon powder. Apply to the skin of the face and neck for 25 minutes.
• If you have essential cinnamon in stock oil, then you can safely make a mask from it. You just need to add a few drops of ether to any care product, even your favorite cream.
• Berry-fruit mask - mix raspberries, peach, strawberries or cherries with lemon juice and cinnamon.
• Oatmeal - mix a couple of tablespoons of honey, a spoonful of cinnamon, a spoonful of oatmeal and pour warmed milk over everything. If your skin is oily, it is better to take kefir or yogurt. Leave the mixture for 15 minutes.
• A mixture of honey and cinnamon will help clear pimples. It should be applied to pimples, gently rubbing into the skin.
• Coffee peeling– to a spoonful of drunk coffee, add half a spoonful of ground cinnamon, a pinch of salt and granulated sugar, and a spoonful of natural butter. Gently apply to face using massage movements, leaving for 15 minutes.
• Facial toner – stir a spoonful of ground cinnamon in a glass of purified water. You can wipe your skin with this composition in the morning.

Cinnamon treatment

Be that as it may, cinnamon can actually cure some diseases.

• Experts recommend that diabetics take half a small spoon of ground cinnamon every morning. It will significantly reduce your sugar levels.
• People suffering from gastrointestinal problems can also take 0.5 spoons.
• Cinnamon will heal wounds and ulcers and cleanse the intestines.
• With the help of cinnamon, various fungi, wounds, eczema and skin diseases are even cured.
• To maintain good immunity, you can eat a spoonful of honey mixed with cinnamon several times a day; it also helps with colds. Cinnamon has analgesic, expectorant, antiviral, and antipyretic properties. By mixing honey and powder in equal parts, you can get rid of toothache. You just need to apply the mixture to the problem tooth.
• For normal functioning of the cardiovascular system, it is best to drink tea with honey and ground cinnamon.
• Cinnamon improves mood, increases appetite, saturates the brain with oxygen and improves memory.
• To get rid of the unpleasant “aroma” from your mouth, mix water with cinnamon and honey and rinse your mouth. This solution will also help with insect bites. And if you take it orally, the drink will help cure arthritis.
• When you have the flu, make tea by dipping a cinnamon stick into it. For greater effect, add orange zest and honey. Or drink milk with honey and ground cinnamon.
• Helps a lot with colds mulled wine. In order to cook it, you will need a saucepan. Pour 750 ml of dry red into it wine, 150 ml apple juice   and add the chopped apple. Add lemon zest, a couple of cinnamon sticks, and 4 cloves a little later. Place everything on low heat, heat for 15 minutes, then add ground ginger on the tip of a knife and remove the saucepan from the stove. Cover with a lid and leave for 7 minutes. Put 3 spoons of honey, strain and pour into glasses. The drink will warm you up perfectly and will disinfect sore throat, relieving fever.