2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43
Cinnamon tree
Useful properties and uses of cinnamon tree
Description of the cinnamon tree
The cinnamon tree is an extraordinary evergreen shrub that has cylindrical branches. Closer to the top, the branches become triangular. The opposite oval-oblong leaves are arranged on interesting short petioles. Each leafy leathery plate has several main veins. The bright flowers of the plant are collected in amazing panicles of a pale greenish color. They have a rather unpleasant odor. Small fruits are purple berries with a single seed, the diameter of which does not exceed 1 cm.
The cinnamon tree is widespread in Sri Lanka. His homeland can be called the West Indies and the Seychelles. Today, such a shrub is cultivated in tropical Asia in other zones with similar climates. For use for medicinal purposes, raw materials are harvested only from special cultural plantings of a cinnamon tree.
Since this plant is in great need of an abundance of groundwater, it is always planted near water bodies. The bark must be ripped off in the form of a kind of grooves with special knives. After that, it should be thoroughly cleaned from the outer layer, and then dried well in the open air.
Useful properties of cinnamon tree
The main active ingredients are mucus, tannins, and a unique essential oil with a high content of cinnamaldehyde. The use of the plant in aromatherapy is due to special volatile substances. The essential oil of the tree and various extracts have been proven to be effective in the treatment of numerous colds. Moreover, the incomparable cinnamon oil is found in many warming-irritating topical ointments.
Undoubted folk remedies are screaming drops. They are indicated for heavy menses. For toothache, you can use special decoctions from the plant. The incomparable alcoholic extract has the necessary destructive effect on various viruses and tubercle bacilli. Moreover, it is active against numerous gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. For trembling limbs, cinnamon oil has long been prescribed.
The bark of this magnificent tree has a luxurious aroma and sweetish taste with astringent spicy notes. Healing essential oil is recommended for getting rid of many gastrointestinal problems. Regular use of all kinds of medicines containing cinnamon tree significantly reduces glucose levels and improves the absorption of sugar. In addition, taking such natural medicines has a beneficial effect on lowering cholesterol and triglycerides in human blood.
It has been proven that cinnamon is an excellent liver stimulator and excellent appetite enhancer. It restores the full functioning of the gallbladder and kidneys, which has a significant effect on increasing efficiency, well-being and mood. Various drugs not only improve mood, but also strengthen the nervous system, helping to fight the inevitable daily stress of depression. Moreover, they boast antipyretic, diuretic, antibacterial and powerful antiseptic properties.
Application of cinnamon tree
The cinnamon tree is indicated for flatulence, a feeling of fullness in the stomach, for mild disorders of gastrointestinal activity with spasms, as well as for insufficient secretion of important digestive juices. Such a wonderful gastric remedy has a strong odor, due to which it is often added to ordinary teas to enhance the taste and health benefits.
For self-preparation of tea based on cinnamon tree, it is recommended to pour a glass of boiling water over 1 tsp. bark. It is advisable to infuse the product for at least 20 minutes. After that, tea can be drunk before meals for 3 cups a day. To solve the problems with thrush, there are special drugs that are extremely effective in resistant forms of this unpleasant disease.
Some modern doctors advise using cinnamon as a fantastic tonic for fatigue and lethargy. In addition, it is indicated after suffering from influenza with asthenia. If you add it to warm wine, you can get a unique tonic drink that accelerates blood circulation. Such a remedy is considered an excellent prophylactic drug during the period of mass epidemics. Patients with hypertension are prescribed to take cinnamon tree in combination with yogurt or honey.
Cinnamon has long been used in Chinese medicine for frigidity, impotence, pain in the knees or lower back, as well as for shortness of breath and vegetative-vascular dystonia. It is also effective for eye inflammation, heart pain, diarrhea, amenorrhea, ulcers and dizziness. In European medicine, such a unique spice is prescribed as an antiemetic and antispasmodic agent. It perfectly tones and improves digestion.
With inhalation, you can add this miraculous cinnamon oil. In addition, for colds, it can be mixed with almond oil in the ratio of 2 drops of cinnamon oil to 5 ml of almond oil to rub the back and chest.
Cinnamon tree flowers
The flowers of the evergreen cinnamon tree are always collected in beautiful panicles. They have a greenish tint and a rather unpleasant odor. The dried flowers of the plant have an interesting clavate shape. Their length does not exceed 1 cm. After grinding dry raw materials, it is mixed with tree bark for medical use.
Contraindications for cinnamon
To date, with proper use, no side effects have been identified. However, the recommended dosages should not be exceeded when consuming the pure essential oil of the plant. When concentrated, it can often irritate the skin and cause palpitations, as well as stimulate diarrhea and sweating. During pregnancy and lactation, cinnamon should be taken with great care.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
