Ceylon cinnamon is highly appreciated for its subtly perfumed taste, also for its antimicrobial properties and richness in potentially health beneficial antioxidants (their concentration is such that even a small portion of cinnamon can make a significant contribution to the total daily intake).
Since centuries Cinnamon is a spice used to prolong food preservation. A property consolidated by recent studies that have shown that cinnamon can hinder the multiplication of several microorganisms thanks under others to-its richness in cinnamaldehyde, a volatile phenolic compound with antioxidant power. Moreover an in vitro study has shown that cinnamaldehyde has the ability to decrease the activity of an enzyme (5-lipoxygenase) associated with the occurrence of inflammatory or allergic reactions (asthma, allergic rhinitis, psoriasis ...). On the other hand several studies indicate that cinnamon can decrease, even regulate (the lipid combustion is activated), blood glucose and certain blood lipids (triglycerides, LDL and total cholesterol) in a few months. 1g to 3g daily are sufficient (1g corresponds to approximately one half to one teaspoon cinnamon ). Cinnamon could thus be a spice with promising effects in type 2 diabetes, allergies, bloodfat problems.
Cinnamon is much used in the kitchen for both raw and cooked, sweet and salty dishes. Note that it is better not to add the cinnamon powder before the end of cooking, because it becomes bitter when too long cooked.

Latin name

Characteristics

Characteristic, very aromatic sweet odour. Characteristic aromatic flavour, more subtle for cinnamon of Ceylon, more pungent and sweet for cinnamon Cassia

Properties

• antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties
• stimulates salivary and gastric mucosa glands
• tonic and antioxidant action ( (ORAC value 131,420)
• antispasmodic action (calms spasms of tomach and intestines)
• action on the balance of blood glucose (ongoing studies for confirmation), but a study showed that there is no drop in sugar levels in healthy people with no diabetes problem
• promotes digestion
• promotes the expulsion of gases
• stimulating action on uterus, heart muscle and respiratory system
• anesthetic and anti-infectious properties on wounds

Traditional use

• Prevention or treatment of bacterial, viral or fungal diseases
• Gastritis and Digestive Disorders
• Flatulence
• Hyperglycemia and diabetis (ongoing studies for confirmation)
• Nauseating states
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Allergies
• Wounds (local use of powder and internal use)

Recommendations for use

Cinnamon is well known as a spice for punches, can also be added to muesli, tee, cocoa, desserts, compotes. Honey and cinnamon form a synergy because they appear to reinforce each others action when taken together. A cup of warm water with cinnamon and honey: a good remedy against coughs and colds.
Add cinnamon at the end for cooking.
Herbal tea: about ¾ teaspoon of powder, for a cup of boiling water. As needed but not more than 3 cups a day.

Precautions for use

Cinnamons contain coumarin, toxic in high doses, and it is because of its coumarin content that cassia cinnamon (or cinnamon of China) consumption is advised to stay below 2 teaspoons a day (a teaspoon of cinnamon is 2.4 grams). Cinnamon of Ceylon however contains significantly less coumarin than cinnamon cassia (on average 0.02g of coumarin per kg for Ceylon cinnamon, 2 to 4,5g (until 10g pro kg was measured) of coumarin per kg for cinnamon cassia) and can therefore be more largely consumed without apprehension related to coumarin.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recommended an "acceptable daily intake" of 0.1 mg coumarin pro kg body weight.