Where cinnamon grows and its properties: the nuances of how the spice grows, what taste it has, useful and medicinal properties. The spice that heals – the deliciously aromatic cinnamon and its beneficial properties

Ceylon cinnamon (true, noble or real cinnamon) is an aromatic spice known everywhere. For some, its aroma reminds them of their mother’s apple pie, while for others it is a storehouse of beneficial properties.

Cultivated mainly on the island. Sri Lanka. The spice is obtained from the bark of the cinnamonum tree ( Cinnamonum). When dry, strips of bark curl into tubes. These are the same cinnamon sticks that we use in the kitchen.

Was popular back in Ancient Egypt, was considered a rare gift, available only to rulers and their entourage. Only the most influential Egyptian women had secret cinnamon-based beauty recipes for the face and hair.

It’s not for nothing that Ceylon cinnamon is called “true” or “real.” So, for example, its cheaper relative - cassia (Chinese cinnamon) contains coumarin- toxic chemical.

Unlike the Chinese “fake”, the real spice looks like thick paper rolled into a hollow roll.

Medicinal properties

The specific taste and aroma of this spice attracts not only fans of gourmet cooking, but also those who care about their health.

Just one teaspoon of ground cinnamon contains as many antioxidants as half a cup of blueberries. It is equally useful for both men and women. But before use, it is important to make sure that cinnamon is not contraindicated for you.

1. The spice is rich in antioxidants - polyphenols. One recent study tested 26 spices for antioxidant properties. Cinnamon won, ahead of such leaders as and.
2. The spice has the property of increasing the body's resistance to insulin. Cinnamon is recommended for people with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Just 1 g per day has a beneficial effect on blood markers.
3. Anti-inflammatory properties: fights infections and repairs damaged tissues by active component– cinnamaldehyde. The oil is used in the treatment of infections respiratory tract caused by fungi. The spice prevents the growth of bacteria: listeria and salmonella.
4. The spice minimizes the risk of heart disease by reducing “bad” cholesterol. For the effect, 120 mg per day is enough.
5. Compounds in cinnamon reduce storage capacity in the brain tau protein- a biomarker of Alzheimer's disease. In the body of a person suffering from shaking paralysis (Parkinson's disease), the spice normalizes the level of neurotransmitters, improves motor functions and protects neurons from destruction.
6. Reduces height cancer cells and causes their death. Cinnamon is toxic to malignant tumors.
7. Antiviral properties: fights the most common strain of the HIV virus. In a scientific experiment, out of 69 tested medicinal plants It was cinnamon that showed the best results.
8. Eliminates irritable bowel syndrome discomfort in the stomach and intestines. Useful for bloating. Kills bacteria and treats infections gastrointestinal tract.
9. For arthritis and osteoporosis, a cup of cinnamon tea and a massage with cinnamon oil can relieve pain.
10. Antibacterial properties: eliminates harmful bacteria V oral cavity without damaging teeth and gums. Cinnamon oil is added to chewing gum, toothpastes and rinses.
11. At the onset of a cold, it is recommended to eat a little cinnamon. It can stop the oncoming disease. The secret is in the antiviral and warming properties of the spice.
12. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in women manifests itself in mood swings and painful sensations. Doctors have found a relationship with a deficiency of manganese, calcium, chromium and copper in the blood. Cinnamon contains all of these elements.
13. Impotence or erectile dysfunction in men is caused by: lack of self-confidence, cardiovascular diseases, stress, diabetes and high pressure. According to real reviews men, with physiological problems A healthy seasoning from this list helped them cope.

For weight loss

Dietary Effects of True Cinnamon Confirmed scientific research. Include this spice in your diet, and the results will not be long in coming.

• The composition includes natural esters that promote weight loss: cinnamaldehyde(key component of cinnamon oil), eugenol And hydroxycinnamaldehyde.
• The flavonoid proanthocyanidin improves the condition of patients with type II diabetes. This plant polyphenol stimulates insulin receptors in adipocytes (fat cells).
• Zinnzeilanin And cinnceylanol improve appetite, normalize the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, promotes the breakdown of fats.
• Increases insulin activity in the body. Even for people who do not have diabetes, high sugar in blood - serious problem leading to obesity.

Fact: Including cinnamon in your diet reduces... glycemic index(GI) of your food by 18-29%. This is a good incentive to lose weight.

• Accelerates metabolism, including carbohydrates, preventing their conversion into fat. Dishes seasoned with cinnamon help you burn more calories.
• Abdominal or abdominal fat is the first thing that catches your eye when you see an overweight person. But much more dangerous is the one that surrounds our internal organs- visceral. By consuming cinnamon regularly, you force your body to burn it first.
• Slows down digestive processes. This important property for those who are trying to lose weight. With the support of spice, it is easier to endure until the next meal without additional snacks.

Interesting! Nutritionists say that dried cinnamonum bark reduces cravings for sweets.

Accelerates lipogenesis

During studies of lipogenesis processes, mouse fat cells are often used as a basis. Laboratory animals fed cinnamon were able to lose weight despite eating a fat-rich diet.

From Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry: Cinnamaldehyde, which is part of cinnamon, activates special enzymes. They, in turn, stop the accumulation of excess fat in the body.

From cholesterol and sugar

The spice can reduce the concentration of cholesterol and sugar in the blood.

From journal "Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics": Ceylon cinnamon increases sensitivity to insulin, stopping the accumulation of white adipose tissue (the culprit of extra inches and cellulite).

How to use

Here are some simple diet recipes:

• Add 1 tsp. ground spice to oatmeal, in muesli and yogurt.
• Mix cinnamon, honey and hot water and drink instead of tea throughout the day.
• Black tea and coffee, fruit juices and protein shakes will taste better with this seasoning.
• Combined with , fresh fruit, nuts and seeds.
• Freeze cinnamon in ice cubes to add extra flavor to your favorite drinks.
• Sprinkle the ground seasoning over fresh fruit.
• A pinch in the stew won't hurt, bean soup or vegetarian chili sauce.

Use in everyday life

Insect repellent: antimicrobial properties Cinnamon oils are used to exterminate ants, bedbugs, ticks, cockroaches and mosquitoes.

Disinfection: Oil diluted in water can be used to treat kitchen surfaces, sinks, refrigerators, door handles, toys and much more. This is true if the family has children or people with allergies who react poorly to household chemicals.

Food preservative: the spice prevents the growth of bacteria. That is why it is used in almost every dish in hot Asian countries.

Neutralizes odors: Cinnamon leaf oil not only masks unpleasant odors, but kills the bacteria that cause them.

Benefits for hair

In Sri Lanka the spice is used in recipes traditional medicine and aromatherapy for centuries.

Has antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial effects on the scalp, improves hair condition. Regular massage of cinnamon oil on the scalp, neck and temples causes blood flow to the follicles, thereby stimulating hair growth.

Combine 2 tbsp. l. honey, 2 tsp. ground cinnamon and... Stir until paste-like. Rub into scalp, apply evenly to hair and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse your hair with shampoo. Preheating the oil will increase the effectiveness of the procedure.

like this homemade mask can be done once a week.

We lose on average up to 100 hairs per day, but we usually don’t even notice it. Intensive hair loss begins with health problems. The undeniable advantage of cinnamon is that it affects the hair both from the inside and outside.

Use more than just ground spice, but also natural oil. It contains substances beneficial for hair: eugenol And cinnamaldehyde, endowed with antifungal and antibacterial properties. Suitable for treating dry and brittle hair, because it nourishes hair follicles. The roots become stronger and hair loss is reduced.

Side effects and contraindications

Cinnamon contains a large number of natural estrogens. Therefore, it is contraindicated during pregnancy, in the presence of endocrine and oncological diseases history, for example, of breast cancer.

Due to the digestive stimulating properties of the seasoning People with peptic ulcers should be careful.

At diabetes mellitus Before including spices in the menu, consult your doctor.

Side effects:

1. Toxicity. Upper limit safe dosage: 6 g per day for 6 weeks.
2. Premature birth. During pregnancy, the spice is contraindicated, as it can cause uterine contractions or even premature birth.
3. Harm to the liver. High level The coumarin in Chinese cinnamon may cause liver failure if taken daily or in large doses.
4. Allergy. Runny nose, watery eyes, difficulty breathing, upset stomach, swelling of the face or hands, anaphylactic shock and nausea are the main symptoms. If you are allergic to cinnamon, taking it in any quantity is contraindicated.
5. IN in rare cases or in case of overdose increases heart rate.
6. Thins the blood, such as aspirin.

Cinnamon can be a wonderful assistant in the fight for health and longevity for men and women of any age, especially if you like fatty and high-calorie foods - they summarize the results of their research University of Pennsylvania employees.

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Many people like buns with fragrant cinnamon, but not every admirer knows how cinnamon grows in nature. They prepare it very in an unusual way- let's find out how.

The highest quality spice grows on the island of Sri Lanka. Cinnamon is grown of slightly worse quality in India, on the island of Java and Sumatra. But there are also plenty of fakes on the world market - in Vietnam, China and Indonesia they produce a spice from a plant called “cinnamon”, which has a similar aroma, but does not have the properties of true cinnamon. It is called cassia, which is often passed off as cinnamon.

Not everyone knows what kind of tree cinnamon is and how it grows. This is an evergreen tree that reaches a height of 15 meters, but it does not grow long - its lifespan is only two years. After this age, the tree is cut down at the roots, and young shoots grow on the stump in large numbers.

It is from these shoots that cinnamon is obtained. A thin layer of bark is removed from them, which curls into tubes when dried. After drying, the tubes are cut into pieces up to 10 cm in length and sent for export.

Where is cinnamon used?

The use of spices is very diverse. Prepared using cinnamon mulled wine and hot herbal teas, it is used to flavor sauces for meat dishes. But most often the spice is used in cooking - added to baked goods, flavored sugar and seasoned tea, used in marinades and pickles.

In addition to eating cinnamon, it is obtained from the plant, which has excellent antimicrobial effect and is an antioxidant. But it should not be used by small children and pregnant women.

If you haven't tried cinnamon rolls yet, you need to fix that urgently. After all, this addition to baked goods will make any tea party festive, thanks to the divine aroma of the East.

And even then we began to wonder how cinnamon grows. It is used quite often in cooking. It grows on evergreen trees up to 15 meters high, belonging to the laurel plants.

Places of growth

When wondering where cinnamon grows in the wild, you can find out that the plant is most often found in southern India and Sri Lanka. It has oblong-oval leaves about 18 cm long. Bunches of flowers form inflorescences and have greenish tint. Unlike the final product, they have an unpleasant aroma. Looking at the powder in the bag, you may not immediately understand what cinnamon originally looked like, how it grows, or what kind of tree it is.

In fact, these are berries purple 1 cm in diameter. These plants can be found in Java, western India, Vietnam and Brazil, Egypt and Madagascar. But, of course, you will want to try the most best product. The place where the most expensive cinnamon grows is Sri Lanka. The bark from which the spice is made here is very thin and soft, and has a brown or light yellow color. She has just a pleasant smell.

Trying to feel it taste buds, one can note the extraordinary softness and sweetness, even warmth. In China, Indonesia and Vietnam, they produce a fake spice - cassia, which is made from coarser layers of bark.

Manufacturing technology

This amazing product is brought from distant countries. So how does cinnamon grow? It takes two years to fully mature and be ready for processing. When about a dozen shoots appear, they are cut off upper layer and dries. This is exactly how the roll-tubes that you might have seen on the packaging of the powder are obtained.

They are cut into pieces up to 10 cm in length, in the form of which the product is also often sold. These are 6 to 10 layers of thin bark that form a single stick once it is separated from the trees. Next comes drying.

Observing how cinnamon grows in nature, manufacturers usually pay attention to keeping the bark thin, because then the aroma will be most pleasant. The sticks are stored for a long time, which is acceptable due to the long shelf life of the smell. To determine the quality of a spice, they use the ekelle, a special unit. The very condition of the sticks after processing and storage is very important, and not just how the cinnamon grows.

Those products that are imported to Europe are considered low quality, although there are no significant differences in taste. Therefore, powder form is used for transportation.

Application

After the product reaches customers, they add it to chocolate and desserts, spicy candies, liqueurs, and flavor alcohol and teas. The product is used in the preparation of spicy dishes with chicken or lamb. Asians add it in mixtures with other herbs. The leaves are eaten by those people who can personally observe how cinnamon grows. The spice is interesting for the local population not only in dried form, but also in fresh form. There are also uses similar to our approach to using bay leaves. Americans add the substance to fruits and cereals. A good flavor combination is obtained with apples.

In Germany they also like to add this spice to sweets, mulled wine or baked goods. Also this excellent remedy in order to do tastier marinade. Works great as an essential oil, as the product exhibits antioxidant properties and the ability to fight microbes. It should be remembered that this substance should not be taken uncontrolled. It is often found in cookies, tea, mulled wine, seasonings and yoghurts, and sometimes cosmetics. If you are carrying a baby under your heart, it is better not to use essential oils from the bark and flowers of this plant.

Story

Peoples who could observe how cinnamon grew on their land often used the spice during rituals and holidays. Today in Europe it is associated with Christmas. Its warm scent awakens everything good and gentle in the soul.

The bark is collected at the height of the rainy season, which lasts from May to October. It comes off the tree very easily. Of all the spices, this can be called one of the oldest, since it was the one that people began to use first.

Mentions of it can be seen in manuscripts dating back to 2800 BC. There is evidence in the Old Testament that Moses used it in an embalming mixture because the substance has antibacterial properties. In Rome, sacred properties were attributed to this product. Nero burned a year's supply when the emperor's wife died. The interesting thing is that he himself took her life and wanted to appease the gods in this way, and then it was a very expensive pleasure, because at that time 350 grams of cinnamon were valued at 5 kilograms of silver.

Trade Development

In the Middle Ages, this product was also of interest. It came to Europe thanks to traders from Arab lands, and it was highly valued. When sailors set out to find a water route to India in the 1400s, their main targets were Christians and spices.

In 1536, explorers from Portugal found forests Brown very thick and saw how cinnamon grew. Photos of similar places can be found on the Internet today, but at that time it was a real innovation. It was in Sri Lanka on the islands of Ceylon.

Then trade in this spice began to actively develop, which brought huge amounts of money to entrepreneurs. The Dutch became interested in such a business, who first occupied part of the island and then conquered it all. In 1776, the British showed interest in the plant, although at that time the Ceylon land no longer had a monopoly, because plantings appeared in other places.

Popularity

Today this product is used throughout the entire globe. When you go to a Spanish bar, you can order a gin tonic with a stick of this plant sticking out of it. It is added to rice. Cinnamon can also serve as a substitute for black pepper when you need to season meat dishes.

At Christmas, the French eat fragrant cookies with this spice. It does not suffer from contact with other substances, but on the contrary, it combines organically with many. It is added to cardamom, coriander, pepper and cloves, mace and bay leaf. In India, they produce "garam oil", in other words called a "mixture of warm spices".

The Chinese prefer combinations with star anise, fennel, and cloves, the Syrians with paprika, cumin and coriander (the mixture is called “baharat”; it is sprinkled on lamb meat).

Beneficial features

Cinnamon is actively used in folk medicine for its excellent properties. It helps with bloating and improves digestive processes. More sellers medicinal plants This effect was noticed in China. You can easily get rid of nausea and diarrhea. Helps in the fight against diabetes, as evidenced by recent studies.

It is also believed that when using this spice, the response to insulin improves, blood sugar levels improve, as well as blood circulation. Just by inhaling the wonderful aroma of the substance, you can feel that the brain begins to work better.

If you want to preserve the aroma for as long as possible, place the sticks or powder in a container, close it tightly and place it in a dry, cool, dry place. dark place. You can leave them for a couple of months. To check the condition of a substance, you need to analyze its smell. It should be sweet, comforting, woody, indicating freshness.

beauty and health

This spice is also credited beneficial features in the fight against overweight. Some experiments have shown that if you eat ¼ teaspoon of this product before meals, sugar is better absorbed and its level in the blood drops. This is what prevents new fat deposits from forming.

It is recommended to use the spice as a substitute for sugar. The taste is sweet and natural, and there are far fewer calories. Now this wonderful product is very easy to find, because it is in almost every store. It will make your dishes tastier and your health better.

Cinnamon is familiar to many as a popular exotic cinnamon (in the form of fragrant sticks, powder and essential oil). But few plant lovers have seen cinnamon in person and are familiar with its characteristics and varied uses.

Having learned about the sale of cinnamon tree cuttings, I wanted to get to know this plant better and try to grow it at home. I read a lot of interesting things about cinnamon on the Internet - how beneficial cinnamon is in various areas human life.

I will share with the readers of the site the knowledge I have gained about cinnamon and the experience of growing cinnamon at home.

Cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon

Cinnamon(Cinnamomum) is an evergreen tree of the humid tropics, preferring to grow in places with high average annual temperatures (25-27 degrees) and significant amount precipitation. Most cinnamon species have aromatic wood, bark, leaves and fruit.
The leaves of cinnamon are leathery, smooth, oblong, 14-15 cm long. Like the spicy bark, its leaves taste sweet, but they smell not of cinnamon, but of... cloves! Old shiny cinnamon leaves have a normal green color, but the young leaves are red or crimson (see title photo). Such bright coloring is not uncommon in plants in hot climates, which helps the delicate, immature leaves protect themselves from the hot equatorial sun.
Cinnamon blooms throughout the year. Its flowers are small, yellowish-white, collected in panicles.

Cinnamons are widely grown in many countries: India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Java, Madagascar, Ceylon. However, it is believed that the most “impeccable spice” is produced only by cinnamon from Ceylon and China.

By the way, only Ceylon cinnamon is called “cinnamon tree” or “cinnamon”. This emphasizes the right of this plant to a privileged place among other types of cinnamon.
Ceylon cinnamon, or Ceylon cinnamon(Cinnamomum ceylanicum), like other cinnamon (for example, Japanese, Himalayan, Cochin), belongs to the very spicy Laurel family (Lauraceae), which includes and.

How to grow cultivated cinnamon and harvest the bark

Cinnamon tree in natural conditions reaches ten meters. And in its cultivated form, cinnamon grows in the form of a bush, which usually does not exceed two meters in height.

2-3 years after planting, the young cinnamon tree is cut down almost at the root, and side shoots grow from the remaining short stump. The quality of the bark depends on the age of the shoot: the most fragrant bark is on shoots that are 17-18 months old. It is at this time that the plant’s regrown shoots, which reach approximately 3 meters in length, are cut off. This is usually done during the rainy season, when the fragrant bark is most easily separated from the wood.

On the cinnamon shoots, cleared of leaves and twigs, make even circular cuts - exactly at a distance of 46 cm from one another! The bark is then cut on both sides along the length of the shoot, removed from the whip and wrapped in coconut mats, where it is kept overnight.
Then the outer bitter layer (epidermis) is scraped off the bark. Peeled pieces of bark are tied into bundles and dried - first in the shade and then in the sun. As a result, dry bark becomes brown or yellow-brown in color.
Bark ready for sale is collected into bales, placed in jute bags and sent to all countries of the world.

Cinnamon: Uses from Antiquity to the Present Day

The cinnamon tree has a very rich history, because since ancient times people have widely used its gifts for various purposes.

In biblical times, cinnamon was used as a spice, a remedy, and a raw material for making perfume.

In China, cinnamon has long been used in medicine (to treat the gastrointestinal tract), as incense for temple incense burners.
The Greeks also valued cinnamon for its stomachic and antiseptic effects. Along with and, cinnamon was considered a sacred plant of the Greek god Dionysus. Ancient myth says that the Phoenix Bird, reborn from the ashes, collected branches of cinnamon, myrrh and spikenard for its magical fire.
The Egyptians used cinnamon to treat feet, remove excess bile, and embalm. Egyptian queen Cleopatra used cinnamon to create oils and incense intended for seduction, as well as to make a love potion.
The Jews performed religious rituals with cinnamon.
The Romans included cinnamon in their famous perfume, Sasinum.

The peculiarity of cinnamon is that the bark of this tree can be rolled into tubes in several layers, forming fragrant sticks.
In the Middle Ages, the Arabs equipped caravans to transport cinnamon and other spices from Asia to Egypt. With their characteristic oriental cunning, they composed a story about a mythical bird - Cinnamologus, which makes a nest of cinnamon sticks. It is as if she brings them from Arabia, but where exactly is not known. It is difficult to obtain cinnamon from the nests of these birds, because they place them on steep cliffs. Therefore, people who get cinnamon from the cliffs face double danger: high altitude, as well as the sharp claws and beaks of birds fiercely defending their nests.
This oriental tale was intended to hide the true source of cinnamon production in order to explain its high cost. In fact, everything was much more prosaic and simpler: the popular spice was made from the bark removed from cinnamon trees. However, the story made up by traders about the great value of cinnamon had an effect.
At the beginning of the Middle Ages, in the notes of Pliny the Elder, there is a mention that the cost of 350 g of cinnamon is comparable to 5 kg of silver. It is not surprising that in those distant times, cinnamon was available only to rich, noble and powerful people.

The story goes that the Roman Emperor Nero burned a year's supply of cinnamon at his wife's funeral, perhaps out of remorse for causing her death.

In Europe, cinnamon oil appeared around the 9th century, it was used as an ingredient in the preparation of love drinks and mulled wine, and was also given to women in labor as a depressant. For medicinal purposes, cinnamon was also used as a remedy for coughs, sore throats, colds and flu - diseases that the famous 12th century German herbalist Abbess Hildegard von Bingen called “internal disintegration of mucus.”

Cinnamon in modern medicine and cooking

Research by scientists has confirmed the healing properties of cinnamon and proven its effectiveness for many ailments.

Medicinal properties of cinnamon:
- soothes pain and normalizes digestion (helps the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, stops diarrhea, relieves nausea and vomiting, fights flatulence and worms);
- antioxidant, antidepressant, aphrodisiac;
- refreshes the mind and body, helps remove warts;
- has antivirus and antibacterial effect(kills germs, viruses and fungi, used for treatment different infections);
- prevents blood diseases and improves its circulation, stimulates blood vessels, which gives a relaxing effect and helps relieve pain from rheumatism and arthritis, relieves menstrual pain;
- strengthens gums and hair follicles, tones muscles and tightens skin, preventing symptoms of aging;
- helps against diabetes by regulating blood glucose levels and reducing excess sugar;
- enhances memory and stimulates brain activity, reducing nervous tension and stress.

Precautions should be taken when using cinnamon essential oil, which is a powerful aromatherapy agent. Its high dosage is dangerous for humans (convulsions are possible). During pregnancy, it is better not to use cinnamon essential oil to avoid miscarriage.
Cinnamon leaf essential oil is preferable as the oil from the bark and buds may cause an acute skin reaction.

Cinnamon neutralizes unpleasant odors and is an insecticide. Essential oil used to freshen indoor air and as a repellent: mosquitoes cannot tolerate cinnamon.

Cinnamon is often used in cooking: it is added to baked goods and used in the preparation of meat, fish, poultry, and drinks. Cinnamon helps preserve perishable foods longer.

The virtues of the cinnamon tree, the fascinating legends and stories associated with it, the centuries-old varied uses of cinnamon by man - all this makes me admire cinnamon!

Growing a cinnamon tree indoors

Of course, I had my doubts about successfully keeping cinnamon indoors. First of all, they are associated with a lack of lighting. But there is also a great desire to grow it amazing plant, despite any difficulties.

Now the precious cuttings of the famous cinnamon live in my house.
In the summer he felt good and grew quite quickly. The plant was in partial shade, since its leaves lost their elasticity in the hot sun.

The crown of a cinnamon tree can be formed by pinching the tops of the shoots. But this must be done with caution, because young cinnamon branches are tender and brittle.

Now, in anticipation of the coming winter (2013-2014), my cinnamon has stopped growing. The ends of several leaves changed color and began to dry out. Obviously, the plant is affected by the dry air in the apartment and lack of lighting. In the evenings I put the cinnamon tree under the lamp.

I hope that the cinnamon and other new ones will survive successfully and will delight you with new growth in the spring.

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