Cinnamon

Not just for the Holidays!

Cinnamon is one of the most commonly used spices around this time of year, from pumpkin pie and candied yams, to potpourris and candle scents, but Cinnamon is so much more then a tasty aromatic spice. There are numerous health benefits to be gained by keeping Cinnamon in your pantry all year round!

For starters, Cinnamon can boost the ability of insulin to metabolize glucose. It has been in use for centuries, with references in ancient Greek and Latin writings, both as a spice and as a folk medicine for gastrointestinal disorders.

Cinnamon has also shown much promise as a brain booster! Just smelling this delightful scent is said to temporarily boost cognitive thinking, so bring a pack of Cinnamon gum to your next test or meeting!

Diarrhea is a real pain in the butt!(pun intended) make a teaspoon mixture of Agrimony and Tormentil, with a pinch of ginger and Cinnamon powder for relief.

Ants hate Cinnamon, and will not walk over it, so if your looking for a natural solution to an ant problem, Cinnamon may just be the answer! Find the point of entry into your home, and place a line of Cinnamon across it. 

Cinnamon and ground cloves is a solution to keeping silverfish at bay as well, silverfish have an aversion to cinnamon and will run from it, but it cannot destroy an existing silverfish infestation.

Another reason I love this spice is because when you are looking for a sweet treat without the calories, this really livens up an otherwise bland and boring diet food, like an apple (not saying that apples are bland and boring or a "diet food") but lets face it, when you want apple pie, a regular old apple just wont do! (see healthy baked baked apple recipe below!)

The most famous study of Cinnamon in connection with sexuality is that of Dr. Alan R. Hirsch, Neurologist and Psychiatrist, Director of Chicago's Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation. Hirsch, in a renowned 1994 study of the effect of aromas, found that men became most sexually aroused by the aroma of Cinnamon buns! So next time you want a romantic evening, either bake something with Cinnamon or use a Cinnamon scented candle! I would tend to go with the candle, cause who wants to be intimate after scarfing down a bunch of Cinnamon buns?

Baked Apple

 Ingredients;

2 baking apples  

Handful of raisins

2 tbsp apple juice

1 tsp ground cinnamon

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees; core the apples and stuff with raisins.

Place each apple on a square foil, pour the apple juice over and sprinkle with a little cinnamon. Make into parcels with the foil. Bake in the oven for about 15 min until the apple is soft, serve with a little low-fat organic Greek yogurt and a graham cracker (optional).Serves 2

For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.