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| Cinnamon (Cinnamonum zeylanicum) |
Last updated: Nov 05, 2009 |
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Cinnamon (Cinnamonum zeylanicum) |
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Research shows that cinnamon does more than just ward off diabetes and heart disease, it also makes you smarter. That's what a recent study determined after administering cinnamon, both orally and nasally, to adults. Both "real" cinnamon and cinnamon flavored items, such as gum, were effective in enhancing the participants' cognitive function.
Cinnamon also reportedly:
- Supports digestive function
- Constricts and tones tissues
- Relieves congestion
- Alleviates pain, inflammation, and stiffness of muscles and joints
- Eases menstrual discomfort
- Stimulates circulation
- Kills bacteria, including E.coli. In fact, it was used as a preservative of meats and other foods before refrigeration.
Alan Hirsch, M.D., at the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago reports that cinnamon has scored high as an aphrodisiac for males.
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 Cinnamon (Cinnamonum zeylanicum) can help with the following: | | | | | | Circulation |  Hypercoagulation (Thickened Blood) |
Digestion |
Dyspepsia / Poor Digestion |
Hormones |
Elevated Insulin Levels | Cinnamon with each meal helps keep insulin and blood sugar levels under control. The typical 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon dose contains a phytochemical called methyl hydroxy chalcone polymer (MHCP) which improves cellular glucose utilization and increases the sensitivity of insulin receptors in laboratory studies. Personal testimonies indicate that this effect is seen in humans, but further study is required to confirm this. |
Low Sex Drive |
Mental |
Poor Memory |
Musculo-Skeletal |
Muscle Pains (Myalgia)
Joint Pain, General |
Organ Health |
 Increased Risk of Diabetes ll| | A US Department of Agriculture study of 60 type 2 diabetics revealed that one gram of cinnamon taken daily, over a
course of 40 days, improved management of blood sugar levels, as well as triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Some
of the subjects took three grams of cinnamon per day, and others took six grams per day, but none of the subjects in
these two groups showed an increased benefit over the group that took one gram per day. One gram of cinnamon is less than half a teaspoon.
Researchers continued to monitor the study participants after the 40-day trial, and found that the subjects' overall
blood sugar levels began rising when the cinnamon intake was discontinued.
Cinnamon not only lowers blood glucose levels if you eat if for at least 6 weeks but it keeps lowering your fasting glucose levels for 20 days after that. The cinnamon spice that works is the common form of powder found in every grocery
store and kitchen, and the cinnamon pills but not the cinnamon oil.
Prior to 2003, researchers believed that the active ingredient in cinnamon that lowered blood sugar was a compound called
"methylhydroxychalcone polymer" or MHCP. Predictably, companies rushed to a sell MHCP pills. However, one of the
original cinnamon study's researchers (Dr. Richard Anerdson of the a US Department of Agriculture affliated lab, conducted a further study in 2004 which showed that MHCP was in fact not the active ingredient producing the beneficial effects on blood sugar. The true active agent that gives cinnamon its power to lower blood sugar and cholesterol is "polyphenol type-A polymer". |
Diabetes Type II| | A US Department of Agriculture study of 60 type 2 diabetics revealed that one gram of cinnamon taken daily, over a
course of 40 days, improved management of blood sugar levels, as well as triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Some
of the subjects took three grams of cinnamon per day, and others took six grams per day, but none of the subjects in
these two groups showed an increased benefit over the group that took one gram per day. One gram of cinnamon is less than half a teaspoon.
Researchers continued to monitor the study participants after the 40-day trial, and found that the subjects' overall
blood sugar levels began rising when the cinnamon intake was discontinued.
Cinnamon not only lowers blood glucose levels if you eat if for at least 6 weeks but it keeps lowering your fasting glucose levels for 20 days after that. The cinnamon spice that works is the common form of powder found in every grocery
store and kitchen, and the cinnamon pills but not the cinnamon oil.
Prior to 2003, researchers believed that the active ingredient in cinnamon that lowered blood sugar was a compound called
"methylhydroxychalcone polymer" or MHCP. Predictably, companies rushed to a sell MHCP pills. However, one of the
original cinnamon study's researchers (Dr. Richard Anerdson of the a US Department of Agriculture affliated lab, conducted a further study in 2004 which showed that MHCP was in fact not the active ingredient producing the beneficial effects on blood sugar. The true active agent that gives cinnamon its power to lower blood sugar and cholesterol is "polyphenol type-A polymer". |
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Skin-Hair-Nails |
Cold Hands and Feet| | Cinnamon is warming and improves circulation, so is good to take if you suffer cold hands and feet. |
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Uro-Genital |
Dysmenorrhea, Painful Menstruation |
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KEY | | May do some good | | | Likely to help |
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