Thanks Weisuan for this entry. I must credit all my friends, supporters and contributors for the wonderful ideas and contribution. :)
So ... looking at yr email, it was from Peishih. So thanks to her too and everyone before her... haha!
I have come to know about the wonders of cinnamon for quite a while now. My mum had her period of cinnamon-ing everything a few years back....coffee, tea, maggi mee soup, noodles, bread, anything she could think of then.... Haha!
As usual, I have attached links at the end of this page for your reading pleasure. There are much written about this king of spice, i recalled reading somewhere (though i know not where, now), that in ancient Egypt it is even more treasured than gold (it is a vital ingredient in the embalming process of the mummies)!
Many a myths were created in the ancient days as to where this wonder came from. Some myths borned out the ancient traders' overly furtile imagination, were intended to keep the traders' sources a secret and in order for them to charge very high prices on their cinnamon supplies!
It has certainly been the cause of many wars to gain control of the source of cinnamon especially in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and in the east such as the Malay archipelagos including Indonesia and Peninsular Malaysia in the 1600s to 1800s.
There are really several types of cinnamon. Most sought after is the true cinnamon, Cinnamomun zeylanicum, from Sri Lanka. True cinnamon is apparently the most precious variety. The ancient Chinese treasured this and called this "kwai pei" (in Cantonese). "Kayu manis" is its Malay name, while it is called "pattai" in Tamil.
In the present days, the commercially grown ones are usually a combination or of the cassia variety, Cinnamomun aroticum, or C. cassia. This has a stronger flavour, therefore requiring little less quantity for its effect in cooking and flavouring. Apparently this is a better choice for sweet recipes.
An interesting extract out of Wikipedia says, "Due to the presence of a moderately toxic component called coumarin, European health agencies have recently warned against consuming large amounts of cassia.[18] This is contained in much lower dosages in Cinnamomum burmannii due to its low essential oil content. Coumarin is known to cause liver and kidney damage in high concentrations. True Ceylon cinnamon has negligible amounts of coumarin." So please be informed in the proper and liberal use of this spice.
It is with intention that I am leaving out the other subject highlighted today, Honey, which is also known as the Food of Gods, in ancient times. I will cover honey in another posting as it certainly warrant a highlight of its own. So watch out for it soon.
Back to the email as mentioned above. The email reads:
"Cinnamon and Honey ~ Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around."
"Facts on Honey and Cinnamon:"
"It is found that a mixture of honey and cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine or all kinds of diseases."
"Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases."
"Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:"
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat."
May take daily, morning, and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If Taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon of Honey and half teaspoon of cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain."
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it.. It destroys the germs in the bladder."
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce The level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured.According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol."
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This Process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses."
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root."
According to the studies done in India Japan
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases."
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals."
A scientist in Spain
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder And three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increases and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old."
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with Warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root."
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections."
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet."
Recent research in Japan Australia
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. When the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week."
People of South America , first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day."
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restore hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!"
"ARTHRITIS:
In America Canada
Interesting links and sources of information:
6. Interestingly, HealthDiaries.com shared the problem of allergies from cinnamon. Do have a read at http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/allergy-to-cinnamon.html
