By Setareh Kiumarsi
When, where, how much, and how to use it?
Cinnamon is one of our favorite spices — its aroma is intoxicating, and its slightly spicy and sweet taste enhances the flavor of our foods, desserts, and teas.
In Ayurveda, what is its quality?
Warm and dry.
What does it do in our body?
It aids digestion, acts as a mild laxative, and is an effective natural remedy for constipation. Cinnamon increases blood circulation beneath the skin, making it especially beneficial for people with cold hands and feet. It helps raise low blood pressure, thins the blood, and is considered one of the most important herbs for eye health. It is excellent for colds — particularly for coughs with phlegm — and helps lower blood sugar levels. Cinnamon also promotes healthy teeth and gums, among many other benefits.
Who should avoid it?
If you have high blood pressure, skin issues (like eczema, acne, hives, or rashes), a very warm constitution, excessive body heat or sweating, or if you’re taking blood-thinning medications, avoid overusing cinnamon.
How should it be used?
Remember one very important rule: never use a single herb in large quantities by itself, because it can cause many side effects. Traditional medicine practitioners always combine several herbs and spices so that their qualities (warm, cold, moist, dry, etc.) balance each other out.
In cooking, combine cinnamon with rose petals (three parts cinnamon + one part rose).
Do you have a cold and a cough?
Mix equal parts of cinnamon, turmeric, fennel, and rose petals into a fine powder. Combine half a teaspoon of this mix with honey to form a paste. Eat it 2–3 times a day and drink a large glass of warm water afterward.
Is your blood pressure low?
Steep a few pieces of cinnamon bark with one teaspoon of rosemary or lemon balm in a cup of hot water. Once it’s infused, add one teaspoon of honey and a pinch of salt before drinking.
Do you have constipation?
Mix half a cup of warm milk with half a cup of carrot juice, half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and a quarter teaspoon of rose powder. Drink this mixture at night before bed, on an empty stomach.
Do you have a toothache?
Make a paste using cinnamon powder and honey and apply it directly to the aching tooth. Alternatively, chew on a small piece of cinnamon like gum.
Do you like the smell of cinnamon?
Fill a pot with water, add a few cinnamon sticks and pieces of orange or tangerine peel, and let it simmer gently. Enjoy the comforting aroma that fills your home.
Please make sure to mention the author, “Setareh Kiumarsi,” if you share or republish this article, which was written with hope for everyone’s health and love.
