Studies show that cinnamon helps in weight loss and reduces levels of insulin and blood sugar. The ideal way to consume this spice is to use cinnamon ayurvedic tea.
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Cinnamon is a medicinal spice obtained from the bark of a cinnamon tree from the Cinnamomum genus of the Lauraceae family. The tree of cinnamon is usually found in a different part of the world and grows to a height of ten to fifteen feet. After thorough research of all the cinnamon around the world, Sri Lanka’s cinnamon is studied to be the best spice for its sweet taste and inviting aroma.
The leaves of this tree are also used as a spice and are known as tamala patra or tejpatta. Cinnamon sticks are used in both sweets and spicy foods. It enhances the flavor and taste of food.
Ayurveda acharyas explain the medicinal uses and benefits of dalchini as follows.
Balances Vata Dosha and Kapha Dosha
Texts of Ayurveda explain the medicinal properties of cinnamon as follows.
According to Ayurveda cinnamon is light to digest (laghu), and hot in potency (ushna veerya). This spice absorbs more water during digestion and retains a spicy taste after digestion. This causes dryness of body tissues (ruksha). It is spicy (katu rasa) and sweet (madhura rasa) with a hint of bitter taste (tikta rasa).
This bark when used as medicine alleviates Vata dosha and Kapha dosha. But increases pitta dosha.
Cinnamon stem bark, leaves, and its oil are used for medicinal purposes.
Best spice for detox
This spice improves Agni (digestion power or body fire) and helps to digest and eliminate ama or body toxins. Hence it is praised as “vishapaha and amahara” . Cinnamon tea is ideal to use while undergoing ayurvedic body detox.
Helps in In Respiratory Problems
It is useful to relieve symptoms of the common cold and cough. This spice helps in the expectoration of Kapha in productive cough. Hence it is known as “peenasahara and kaphakasahara“
This spice is very helpful in diseases of the lungs. It is effectively used in productive coughs to relieve chest congestion. Texts of Ayurveda recommend using cinnamon oil for tuberculosis and other diseases of the lungs.
Useful in Oral Cavity Problems
Dalchini helps to reduce foul breath, cleans the oral cavity, reduces mouth ulcers, and relieves throat pain.
Best used for problems of the digestive system.
Ayurveda acharyas recommend this bark in indigestion, flatulence, and bloating. It reduces stomach pain and relieves discomfort due to indigestion. It increases appetite and improves taste. It is the best remedy for painful hemorrhoids or piles. Also helps to relieve nausea and vomiting.
Helps in Weight Loss
This spice alleviates Kapha. Medha dhatu or body fat reduces as Kapha gets decreased. Hence cinnamon can be effectively used for weight loss. In male infertility due to obesity, cinnamon helps in weight loss. It also helps in Klaibya or erectile dysfunction due to obesity
Helps in Diabetes Management
Cinnamon is very helpful in diabetes. It helps to control fluctuating blood sugar levels. Hence can be used in erectile dysfunction due to diabetes.
Accelerates wound healing
It cleanses wounds and eliminates worms and infections. It also relieves itching and rashes.
Helps in management of PCOS
Since it manages blood sugar levels and also helps in weight management, it is an ideal kitchen spice for PCOS or PCOD. Since it increases pitta, it initiates the menstrual cycle. This also helps to boost female libido.
Acts as a bladder cleanser Cystitis and UTI
This herb helps to cleanse bladder and urinary tract. Hence recommended for cystitis and UTI. It eases urine flow and reduces inflammation.
Ayurveda Medicinal Properties of Cinnamon
Cinnamon has various names in Ayurveda. Few are given here
- Twak – Since The bark of the tree is used for medicinal purpose
- Utkata – As it has a very sharp aroma
- Daaru Sita– It gets this name because bark tastes sweet
- Svadvi – Bark has a sweet taste
- Mukha shodhya, Mukhashodhana – it fights bad odor of mouth and cleanses oral cavity
- Vanapriya – grows in the forest
- Saimhalam – originated from Sri Lanka,
- Utkata, Bahugandha, Gandhavalka – It has a strong fragrance
Ayurvedic Home remedies with cinnamon
Prepare Cinnamon oil For wound healing and insect bites:
Mix 3-4 drops of cinnamon oil in 20 ml of coconut oil or any other carrier oil of your choice. Apply this externally on wounds or insect bites. It cleanses the stung area or wound and relieves pain.
To boost the strength of gums and teeth
Chewing pieces of cinnamon bark helps to keep the mouth fresh and prevent bad breath odor. Or else the same oil mentioned above can be used to massage gums and teeth.
Cinnamon Pennis massage oil for ED and PE
Dalchini oil is very useful for men with erectile dysfunction. Mix 3-4 drops of cinnamon oil in 20 ml of sesame oil. Store this ayurvedic penis massage oil in a dropper. Use this to massage the penis before sexual activity. This helps to improve blood circulation and to last long in bed.
Cinnamon Tea – An Ayurvedic Recipe
Cinnamon is best used as tea. Take 2 cups of water. Break 3 inches long Ceylon Cinnamon stick into small pieces. Add these pieces to water and boil it in medium flame till the water reduces to half a cup. Allow it to warm down. Use it as mentioned below in various health conditions.
For PCOS
Cinnamon can be used in female infertility due to PCOS to get pregnant. Usually, in women with PCOS, there will be an increase in insulin level and also blood sugar level. Studies have shown that continuous use of cinnamon for 40 days helps to reduce insulin and blood sugar level. Since this tea also helps in weight loss it is a very ideal ayurvedic home remedy for PCOS
Texts of Ayurveda eulogize the benefits of cinnamon in female infertility. Ayurveda acharyas recommend using this herb along with other herbs like Ashoka, Lodhra, Yashad Bhasma, Bitter Gourd (karela), Shilajit, Neem, and turmeric.
Cinnamon tea also helps in irregular periods that occur due to PCOS. This spice can be added to the ayurvedic diet for PCOS. This tea can be consumed along with soy or soybean to increase the effectiveness of ingredients in controlling PCOS.
Dose: Prepare cinnamon tea as mentioned above and Squeeze ½ lime and 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ginger juice. You can also add 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric for added benefits. Sip this delicious tea for quick weight loss
For Weight Loss:
Cinnamon tea helps to lose weight. Based on the principles of Ayurveda imbalanced Kapha dosha increases medha dhatu or body fat. This herb has hot potency and helps in Kapha balance and reduction of body fat. It normalizes metabolism and prevents indigestion. Ayurveda acharyas consider as an ayurvedic herb for obesity. Hence ayurvedic doctors preferably added cinnamon in Ayurvedic Herbal Weight Loss Teas. Drinking two cups of this herbal tea daily helps to reduce body weight. Add honey as a sweetening agent to get extra health benefits and quick weight loss.
Dose: Prepare cinnamon tea as mentioned above and Squeeze ½ lemon and add a teaspoon of honey when it is just warm. Sip this delicious tea for quick weight loss
For Cough:
A warm cup of this tea soothes the throat and relieves the irritation. It helps to expectorate the sputum and pacifies cough. Based on the principles of Ayurveda cinnamon alleviates Kapha and reduces chest congestion. Hence it is used in the preparation “sitopaladi choorna” which is preferably recommended by ayurvedic doctors for cough.
For Diabetes:
Various studies have shown that this wonderful bark helps to reduce blood sugar levels. Hence its tea can be comfortably used in diabetes to control the blood sugar level. But do not add sugar or honey to this tea. People who are obese and have a tendency to get diabetes can reap the benefits of cinnamon to reduce weight and prevent incidences of diabetes. Hence ayurvedic doctors recommend AYURVEDIC WEIGHT LOSS TEA which contains cinnamon, for diabetics who are obese.
Dose: Squeeze ½ lime when it is just warm. Do not add honey. Consume this twice daily for desired results.
For Erectile Dysfunction:
Ayurveda acharyas describe this bark as a Vajikarana herb. This means it boosts sexual energy and helps to improve sexual function. Men can derive various benefits from this herb. Since it helps in diabetes it can be used in Erectile Dysfunction diabetes. The weight loss properties of cinnamon coupled with sexual energy-boosting properties help in erectile dysfunction due to obesity. Hence it is considered an effective ayurvedic herb for erectile dysfunction
Chemical constituents of cinnamon
Cinnamaldehyde, Eugenol, Benzaldehyde, Methyl amyl ketone, Phellandrene, Pinene, Cymene, Linalool, Cumic, Aldehyde, Caryophyllene, safrole, Methyl evgenol, Borneol, Cinnamyl alcohol, Cinnzeylanin, Cinnzeylanol,(-) epicatechin, Cinnacassiol D1 etc.
Cinnamon has different names in India.
In Hindi Dalchini, in English Cinnamon, in Telugu Lavanga patta,in Tamil Ilayangam, in Bengali Daruchini, in Gujarati Taja, in kannada dalchini or chakke
Caution:
Persons with migraine-related to pitta should refrain from using this herb. It may flare up migraines.
This is not a good herb to use in male infertility except in conditions like obesity and diabetes-related male infertility.
Author : Dr. Savitha Suri Consultant Ayurvedic Physician
(Reference:
- Illustrated Dravyaguna Vijnana, Vol. II, by Dr JLN Shastry
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4003790/)
(WhatsApp Dr.Savitha Suri @+ 91 6360108663/ to know more about ayurvedic treatments and remedies )
Author: Dr.Savitha Suri , Consultant Ayurvedic Physician
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