Solicitous Cinnamon

Solicitous Cinnamon I believe is one of the world’s most favorite spices and for sure is Peter’s.  When I recently asked him what was his favorite spice he answered with a firm smiling response, “Cinnamon.” I expected that as he adds it to many things he enjoys especially warm drinks and requests it in various food dishes. 

Solicitous Cinnamon is truly a blue ribbon winner in flavor and has an incredible way of adding a cozy warmth and comfort to any environment and our senses.  It is a “friendly hearted” spice as it “plays well” with savory and sweet, helps calm bitter items due to its sweet nature, and can tame gamey flavors in meat such as lamb, all while being gentle or pungent depending on how much and what type of cinnamon used.   

Grown natively in Asia, the Cinnamon tree has contributed its bark to medicinal and culinary uses for thousands of years.  Over the years many tropical places have adopted growing these wonderful trees as well.  For this spice its bark is as good as its bite!!  For those that know I like to make fun puns, that’s an original just for this blog post:)

Like all the other Botanical Blips, these do stir memories. I bet you may have many yourselves.  Should you need, please do seek a pro for feedback if you are concerned with a health condition.  Solicitous Cinnamon is another super healthful botanical but it can be potent and too much is not good.  So please do take the time to consider what is beneficial but don’t go hog wild…more is not always better.  When you do buy Cinnamon flavored items make sure you are getting the real thing as most every spice and flavor has a counterfeit out there and it will not be good for you.

When I was in elementary school I used to make real oil Cinnamon tooth picks and found that lots of my classmates liked them.  They were hot and spicy, tingled a bit and made everything smell like Cinnamon.  I was generous so when it got on your fingers, well it got everywhere those fingers touched.  Yes, my teacher at the time politely told me not to bring those anymore as they were making the school smell like a candy store and not a school.  Can you imagine?  And she understood better than me that they were dangerous if someone should accidentally get it in their eye.  I felt a bit bad about that and absolutely respected her wishes and only made them for holiday class gifts for those I knew really liked them including my teacher.

I have a lifetime of enjoying Cinnamon and was so happy when I learned some of its amazing medicinal properties.  My parents sure enjoyed it too, mostly in hot drinks and sweets especially European pastries and yep, doughnuts as well.  We didn’t have them too often but what a splurge treat they were!  The rare but delicious Cinnamon Raisin Bread was one of my mom’s favorites.  Today I make a healthier version of the bread using hardly any sugar, plenty of Cinnamon and raisins from our grape vines seeds and all.

I could go on for a long time with stories involving today’s Botanical Blip but how about us seeing the list of the goodness inside the versatile Solicitous Cinnamon. First, there are two types Ceylon with milder flavor, the one we prefer, and Cassia which is bolder.  Cassia contains a strong chemical called coumarin which may not be good for the liver when used for a long time and in big doses. Always pay attention to your body’s reaction to things.

Like Sanative Sage this is quite a strong medicine and needs to be used wisely.  A little really does go a long way. A third to a half a teaspoon of dry powder a day is more than enough.  Of course, it depends on your weight too.  Be wise.  Ceylon, a true Solicitous Cinnamon and a wee bit more expensive, is gentler yet still needs that measurement.  I personally like to use many different spices and herbs to maximize health benefits and at the same time not unnecessarily load or tax my body with too much of any one of them.  For me, I have found variation is better.

Benefits:

Anti-inflammatory

Provides Pain Relief for Joints, Muscles and Headaches

Good for Blood Sugar

Aromatherapy

Good for the Heart

Aides Digestion

Anti-Fungal

Astringent

Anti-Bacterial

Nutrient Enhancer in Nutrient Dense Foods

Super charged with Antioxidants

Helps the Blood

Relieves Menstrual Issues

Anti-Clotting

Good for Mouth Health Including Gums

Diuretic

Respiratory Ailments like the Flu and Colds

Help Against Alzheimer’s

Good for Brain Health and Function

Flavor Enhancer

Good for Nervous Tension

Helps the Body Process Fats which Helps the Heart

Aides the Body in Fighting Infections

Encourages Healing

Helps with Healthier Milk in Lactating Mothers

A Natural Insecticide