Cinnamon: benefit, harm, application, contraindications

Which housewife can find cinnamon in the 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 cover. You will also learn where else you can use cinnamon powder and what diseases it can prevent and cure.

The benefits of cinnamon

Most likely, no one thought about the fact that there are various types of cinnamon. Among them are Ceylon, Malabar, Chinese cinnamon and cinnamon... They differ in taste and smell. There are a lot of useful elements and vitamins in cinnamon. It 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 being added to buns, cinnamon has many other beneficial properties:

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

The harm of cinnamon

Although there are great benefits in cinnamon sticks, there is also harm in them. To begin with, cinnamon is an irritant to the gastrointestinal tract, so it should never be swallowed in packs, especially for people with peptic ulcers. It is also not recommended to take it in huge quantities for people suffering from pressure, heart disease, kidney, liver.

Cinnamon powder can cause miscarriage and uterine contraction in a pregnant woman. During treatment, it is necessary to refrain from taking cinnamon, because in tandem with pharmaceutical preparations, 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 fatigue. In some cases, the powder causes allergic reactions.

Contraindications for cinnamon

Cinnamon is contraindicated:

• women during pregnancy;
• small children;
• women who are breastfeeding;
• with ulcers;
• with poor blood clotting;
• at high pressure;
• at elevated body temperature;
• people with individual intolerance to this product;
• with 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 strongly against cinnamon in the period pregnancy, but others highlight the useful 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 kidneys, pancreas, liver, as a result of which it relieves a woman from edema.
3. This powder is recommended only for those women 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, kidneys.
5. Also, cinnamon is useful after pregnancy - it increases the immune system, raises tone.
6. It is not recommended to use cinnamon for bleeding, intolerance to this product, moreover, in no case should you use cinnamon essential oil. It is extremely dangerous for women in position.

Application of cinnamon

This aromatic spice is used in many areas. First, you need to talk about cooking. Cinnamon is most commonly used in baked goods and desserts. Also added to various sauces, coffee, cocktails, mulled wine, ice cream... Further, we should mention about cosmetics: soaps, creams, shower gels, masks, they add cinnamon for aroma. It is used even for motorists; on its basis, "stinks" are made for the car.

Many people who dream of losing weight take a variety of drinks based on cinnamon sticks or powder. The spice is also present in some medicines and it 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, peels, the essential oil is used in massage and aromatherapy.

Slimming cinnamon

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

Cinnamon increases the metabolism in the human body, which is why excess fats go away. Along with them, you get rid of cholesterol, toxins and harmful toxins, which also helps to improve metabolism and decrease in volume. Various drinks can be prepared based on cinnamon powder and consumed throughout the day. Or arrange "easy days" for yourself on kefir and cinnamon.

• Fasting days - purchase 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 basic rule is not to overload the next day with happiness that you have lost 1-1.5 kg.
• You can only drink this drink for dinner if it is very difficult for you to make it through the day. But here, of course, everything will take much longer, but the effect will still be there.
• In kefir, in addition to cinnamon, you can add grated green apple. The grated fruit will cleanse the intestines and remove excess deposits.
• If there are no apples, they can be replaced with bran, prunes. For a glass of kefir, two tablespoons of bran and berries and half a spoonful of spices.
• You can add a pinch of hot pepper to a glass of kefir, 0.5 tablespoons each of ground cinnamon and grated ginger.
• In the evening, you can pour boiling water over ground cinnamon (500 ml / 0.5 tsp), insist, strain. Add honey and drink half of the liquid before bed, and leave the other part in the morning.
• Orange tea - pour boiling water over the brew and leave to brew. In another container, mix a glass of water, a little granulated sugar, put on fire. Then add orange zest and a pinch of cinnamon. Then let the mixture brew. Mix the tea and orange broth, having previously filtered both liquids. You can add freshly squeezed apple juice for flavor.

If you suddenly have pain, diarrhea, disorder, you must immediately stop taking drinks.

Cinnamon for hair

At the expense of antioxidant properties, the spice well stimulates blood circulation inside the epidermis and hair follicles. It improves hair growth, gives them shine, a healthy, well-groomed look, besides, after the procedures, the hair will smell like cinnamon. That is why you can do masks with the addition of powder.

• To restore hairline, combine a couple of tablespoons of heated olive oil, a spoonful of cinnamon powder, a couple of tablespoons of warmed up honey. Spread the mixture on damp hair, wrap with plastic and a towel for 50 minutes. Then wash your hair with shampoo.
• A mask of ripe tomato, which must be mashed in mashed potatoes, a beaten chicken egg, a spoonful of vegetable oil, a spoonful of ground cinnamon and a spoonful of warm honey, will perfectly relieve split ends. Hold the mass for about 25 minutes.
• For improving growth- Grind a medium onion in mashed potatoes, add 5 chopped garlic cloves, a spoonful of honey and a couple of tablespoons of cinnamon. Apply only to hair roots, wrapped in foil and towel for 30 minutes.
• To moisturize dry hair - put egg yolk and a spoonful of ground cinnamon in a glass of kefir. Lubricate the hair roots with massage movements and keep for about an hour.
• To lighten hair - mix 4 tablespoons of cinnamon powder, 5 tablespoons of warmed honey, 150 ml of hair balm. Apply to clean, damp hair with a brush, do not rub into the skin in order to exclude a burn. Wrap hair with foil, cover with a towel on top for 45 minutes. After that, remove the towel and the film and go 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 wrinkles. In addition, cinnamon improves blood circulation, removes swelling, irritation, inflammation, dryness. Vitamin C helps the skin become firmer, smoother and more velvety. Spice is added not only to masks, but also to peels, as it is an excellent cleanser. After the procedure, the skin may redden a little, but this is not scary.

• For dry skin, a honey mask is suitable. Mix a spoonful of honey, half a spoonful of ground cinnamon, yolk. Keep on the face for 25 minutes.
• For oily skin, combine the same ingredients, only replace the yolk with protein.
• For normal skin - mix a spoonful of fatty sour cream or yogurt without fillers with a spoonful of honey and half a spoonful of ground cinnamon.
• Get rid of the hated wrinkles and pigmentation will be helped by a mask mixed from mashed 1⁄4 of a banana, a spoonful of lemon juice, a couple of tablespoons of fat sour cream, 1⁄4 spoon of cinnamon powder. Spread on the skin of the face and neck for 25 minutes.
• If you have some essential cinnamon butter, then you can safely make a mask out of it. You just need to add a few drops of ether to any care product, even your favorite cream.
• Berry-fruit mask - mix raspberries, peaches, 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 over heated milk. If the skin is oily, it is better to take kefir or yogurt. Hold the mass for 15 minutes.
• A mixture of honey and cinnamon will wash off pimples. It should be applied to pimples by gently rubbing into the skin.
• Coffee peeling- add half a spoonful of ground cinnamon, a pinch of salt and granulated sugar, a spoonful of natural oil to a spoonful of sleeping coffee. Gently spread on the face with massage movements, leaving for 15 minutes.
• Face toner - stir a spoonful of ground cinnamon in a glass of purified water. This composition can be used to wipe the skin in the morning.

Cinnamon treatment

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

• For diabetics, experts recommend taking half a small spoonful of ground cinnamon every morning. It will significantly lower your sugar levels.
• People suffering from gastrointestinal problems can also take 0.5 scoops.
• Cinnamon will heal wounds and ulcers, cleanse the intestines.
• With the help of cinnamon, they even heal various fungi, wounds, eczema and skin diseases.
• 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, antipyretic properties. By mixing honey and powder in equal parts, you can get rid of a toothache. You just need to put the mass on the problem tooth.
• For the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system, it is best to drink tea with honey and ground cinnamon.
• Cinnamon improves mood, raises appetite, oxygenates the brain and boosts memory.
• To get rid of the unpleasant "odor" from the mouth, mix water with cinnamon and honey and rinse your mouth. This solution will also help with insect bites. And if taken internally, the drink will help heal arthritis.
• For flu, brew tea by dipping a cinnamon stick into it. For more effect, add orange zest and honey. Or drink milk with honey and ground cinnamon.
• It will help a lot for colds mulled wine... In order to cook it, you need a stewpan. Pour 750 ml of red dry guilt, 150 ml apple juice   and put the chopped apple. Lemon zest, a couple of cinnamon sticks, add 4 cloves a little later. Put 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 and leave for 7 minutes. Put 3 tablespoons of honey, strain and pour into glasses. The drink will perfectly warm and disinfect sore throat, relieving temperature.