The Important Benefits of Cinnamon Tea

Cinnamon,along with frankinsence and myrrh,was one of the first spices used in the ancient world.Cinnamon comes from the evergreen cinnamon tree,which is native to Sri Lanka and is known as the laurel tree there.The scientific name of the tree is  'cinnamomum zeylancium'. Common cinnamon in the shops usually comes from the cinnamomum cassia tree. The cassia form is darker and a little more bitter-sweet but cheaper. Both trees grow best in a tropical climate.For cinnamon sticks, the inner bark is removed from the upper branches.The bark curls into sticks, often called 'quills'. Ground cinnamon comes from large pieces of older bark found on the lower parts of the tree. This bark is usually stronger and has more flavor.

As well as a warm taste, cinnamon has a sweet,woody scent and provides us with many health benefits.

The Benefits of Cinnamon Tea

1) It has been found to help type 2 diabetes by controlling blood sugar variations.

2) Cinnamon helps stop medication-resistant yeast infections.

3) It is a powerful anti-bacterial and useful in cases of stomach bugs.

4) Cinnamon is a good digestive and reduces the discomfort of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), especially the bloating. I.B.S. is caused by infection of the intestines and cinnamon enables the gastric juices to work normally by killing bacteria  and healing infections in the digestive tract.

5) Drinking cinnamon tea can ease the pain of arthritis.

6) Cinnamon has the effect of thinning and purifying the blood and increasing blood circulation which boosts metabolism, making it helpful in losing weight. Its blood-thinning properties also help it to act as an anti-clotting agent for those suffering from heart disease.(The main ingredient that causes blood to thin is coumarin, which is present in high doses in Cassia cinnamon but not in Ceylon cinnamon. But coumarin causes liver damage, so taking Cassia cinnamon for weight loss could cause liver damage.)The ability of cinnamon to increase blood flow and improve oxygen helps fight illness.

7) The anti-bacterial properties in cinnamon help in cases of tooth decay and gum disease, without harming teeth and gums.It is a good mouth freshener and should be drunk without sugar to keep the mouth fresh and germ-free.Rinse the mouth after drinking cinnamon tea in order to avoid stains on the teeth.

8) At the onset of a sore or irritated throat, it is a good idea to drink cinnamon tea, again because of its anti-bacterial properties and also its warming properties. 

9)Cinnamon contains compounds which can be useful in delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease as these compounds help prevent the development of filament 'tangles' in the brain cells that characterize Alzheimer's.

10)Cinnamon calms pre-menstrual tension because of its high levels of manganese. It can ease cramps and mood swings.

11)Cinnamon reduces depression and irritability.Certain types of bacteria in the digestive system can make a person more prone to depression and cinnamon helps remove this bacteria. However, cinnamon can also remove 'good' bacteria from the gut 

 so this will need to be replaced by or eating fermented food after drinking cinnamon tea. 

12)Cinnamon has been shown to be strong at fighting viruses. Drinking cinnamon tea regularly can help prevent colds and sore throats.

13)Cinnamon has a wonderfully uplifting smell.

14)Cinnamon is one of the most powerful antioxidants in the world. It contains a substance called'catechins',which is a type of anti-oxidant.This eases stomach discomfort,bloating and gas.Cinnamon aids digestion and  a good probiotic or reduces acid reflux.

15)Drinking cinnamon tea boosts cognition,alertness and memory and generally boosts brain activity,leading to increased productivity.

16)Due to the manganese cinnamon contains,it helps develop connective tissues,absorb calcium,helps thyroid function and regulates blood sugar.

17)Cinnamon reduces the possibilty of colon cancer by generally improving the health of the colon.It has the effect of reducing the level of sugar in the digestive system and cancer cells depend on sugar to grow and expand.

Risks of Cinnamon Tea

High quantities of cinnamon can be  toxic. It is best not to consume excessive amounts of cinnamon for a long period of time. Some people may even have an allergic reaction to it. Coumarin, which is found in significant levels in Cassia cinnamon can cause liver damage in large doses. Cinnamon tea helps regulate blood sugar levels but consuming large amounts of it can interfere with diabetic medication. Its blood-thinning effects could also interfere with blood-thinning treatments.It is advisable to consult a health practitioner before drinking cinnamon tea if you are on medication. Pregnant women should avoid drinking cinnamon tea in large quantities as it can bring on contractions of the uterus.Cinnamon's anti-clotting properties can also cause profuse bleeding.Cinnamon tea should not be drunk in cases of excessive menstruation or before surgery.

Preparing Cinnamon Tea

Cinnamon tea can be purchased as tea bags or made from Ceylon cinnamon sticks. Cinnamon does not contain caffeine or sugar but is naturally sweet.To make a cup of cinnamon tea,boil a cinnamon stick in 1.5 cups of water.The cinnamon stick can be broken into small pieces.(Remember to add extra water as the water evaporates.) To extract the cinnamon, boil the cinnamon sticks slowly. This takes about fifteen minutes.Boiling the cinnamon quickly will not brew it properly.After boiling,remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool so that the cinnamon can be released.Strain the tea through a fine strainer before drinking it. The tea can be reheated before serving.

Quantities of Cinnamon Sticks

One and a half cinnamon sticks makes two cups of tea.

Three cinnamon sticks makes four cups of tea.

Two and a quarter cinnamon sticks makes three cups of tea.

Six cinnamon sticks makes eight cups of tea. 

Note:Ceylon cinnamon has low coumarin levels so it won't damage the liver if drunk regularly. It is mild and slightly sweeter than Cassia cinnamon. 

Storing Cinnamon

Cinnamon sticks last two to three years but will lose their potency over time.Ground cinnamon can last from six to twelve months but if you grind your own cinnamon, grind only the amount you need to use at one time. Cinnamon must be stored in a cool, dark cupboard, away from direct heat or sunlight. It must be stored in a tightly-closed packet or a container with a tight-fitting lid. Freezing is not recommended.

Commercially-dried spices and herbs do not spoil, but they will lose their potency over time and not flavour food as intended.