The cinnamon (dalchini) grows on an evergreen tree, which is small and bushy.The dried leaves and inner bark are used all over the world as condiment. They have a pleasing fragrant odour and a warm, sweet and aromatic taste.
The bark of the tree is thick, smooth and light brownish dark in colour. The inner bark is obtained from carefully selected shoots. It is then cured and dried. During drying, the bark shrinks and curls into a cylinder or "quill".
The botanical name of cinnamon is cinnamomum zeylanicum. It is a native of Sri Lanka and other parts of tropical Asia, and has been cultivated from very ancient times.It appears to have reached Egypt and Europe by the fifth century B.C. This tree grows in South India up to an altitude of about 1500, but is more common at lower altitudes, even below 200m.It is also cultivated in certain parts of India. Today, Sri Lanka exports cinnamon to all parts of the world.
Nutritive Value
An analysis of cinnamon shows it to consist of moisture 9.9 per cent, protein 4.6 per cent, fat (ether extract) 2.2 per cent, fibre 20.3 per cent, carbohydrates 59.5 per cent, total ash 3.5 per cent, calcium 1.6 per cent, phosphorus 0.05 per cent, iron 0.004 per cent, sodium 0.01 per cent, potassium 0.4 per cent, thiamine 0.14 mg. per cent, riboflavin 0.21 mg. per cent, niacin 1.9 mg. per cent, vitamin C 39.8 mg. per cent and vitamin A 175 I.U., per 100 grams.Its calorific value is 355.
Cinnamon consists 2.0 per cent of an essential oil known as cinnamon oil.This oil consists of 70-90 per cent of eugenol and source of clove oil.The bark contains 0.5-1.0 per cent oil and green leaves yield about 1 per cent oil. The root bark yields 3 per cent oil which differs from both stem bark and leaf oils.
Curative Properties
Cinnamon tree was known to ancient physicians even before 2700 B.C. The Chinese used the bark of this tree as a medicine. The Romans also knew about the medicinal value of this bark. Even Indians knew about the therapeutic uses of this herb long before the 8th century. The oldest record available about the description of cinnamon is Torah. The Ceylonese started collecting the bark of this tree for its medicinal use in the 12th century. It was, however, Khizvenee who was the first person to give details about the medicinal virtues of this herb in the 13th century.
The cinnamon leaf is used in the form of powder or decoction. It is stimulant and is useful in relieving flatulence and increasing secretion and discharge of urine. Cinnamon prevents nervous tension, improves complexion and memory. A pinch of cinnamon powder mixed with honey should be taken regularly every night for these conditions.
Colds: Cinnamon is regarded as an effective remedy for common cold.Coarsely powdered and boiled in a glass of water with a pinch of pepper powder and honey, it can be beneficially used as a medicine in case of influenza, sore throat and malaria.Its regular use during rainy season prevents the attacks of influenza. Cinnamon oil, mixed with honey, also give immense relief from cold.
Digestive System Disorders: Cinnamon checks nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. It stimulates digestion.A tablespoon of cinnamon mixed in water, taken half an hour after meals is beneficial in flatulence and indigestion.
Natural Birth-Control: This spice can be used as a natural birth-control.It has a remarkable effect on checking the early release of ova after child-birth.A piece of cinnamon taken every night after a month of child-birth thus delays the appearance of menstruation for more than 15 to 20 months and prevents early conception.It also indirectly helps the secretion of breast milk and it has been proved that prolonged breast-feeding checks the appearance of menstruation after child-birth.
Headache: The headache produced by exposure to cold air is readily removed by plastering the temples and the forehead with a paste of finely powdered cinnamon in water.
Acne: Paste of cinnamon powder prepared with few drops of fresh lime juice can be applied over pimples and blackheads with beneficial results.
Toothache: The oil of cinnamon has been found beneficial in the treatment of toothache. A cotton swab should be drenched with one or two drops of the oil and placed on a painful tooth to obtain relief.
Women's Problems: The use of cinnamon has been found valuable in reducing distress of the labour pain during child-birth. A decoction of this spice should be taken in treating this condition.
Other Ailments: Cinnamon is beneficial in the treatment of several other ailments, including spasmodic afflictions, asthma, paralysis, excessive menstruation, uterus disorders and gonorrhoea.It is sometimes used as a prophylactic in German measles. The aromatic flavour of cinnamon is good mouth cleaner.It removes the foul smell.
Uses
Dried Cinnamon leaves and inner bark are used for flavouring cakes and sweets and in curry powder. They are also used in incense, dentrifrices and perfumes.Cinnamon bark oil is used for flavoring confectionery and liqueurs and in pharmaceutical and dental preparations.Cinnamon leaf oil is used in perfumes and flavorings and also in the synthesis of vanillin.