By The Spiritual Explorer | Published 3 February, 2016
Dear Spiritual Explorer: Does cinnamon essential oil actually smell like cinnamon and what are the benefits of cinnamon? Lawrence P., Johnston, OH
Triloka Cinnamon Oil
Dear Lawrence: You better believe that one of the benefits of our cinnamon, especially in the medium of Cinnamon Essential Oil, is that it actually smells like the wonderful cinnamon we grew up thinking was a part of those yummy cookies, cakes and babkas we ate as youngsters. I know exactly what you mean by it being difficult to think that cinnamon has medicinal benefits, although in recent years, it has become quite respected in medical arenas.
I have recently read oh so many evidence-based health benefits of cinnamon essential oil, but am going to limit to a few of them here.
Different kinds of cinnamon
Starting from the basics, there are actually two kinds of cinnamon: Ceylon cinnamon and cassia cinnamon are one of the most common kinds of cinnamon today, which you can easily buy in any supermarket. It has been renowned as an ingredient throughout history dating as far back as Ancient Egypt.
Health and metabolism benefits of cinnamon
The distinct smell and flavor of cinnamon is due to the oily part, which is very high in a compound called cinnamaldehyde. It is this compound that is responsible for most of the health and metabolism benefits of cinnamon. When we speak of metabolism, who hasn’t heard recently of the energetic benefits of cinnamon when we think of losing weight?
One of the best benefits of cinnamon is that it is loaded with antioxidants. These antioxidants are called polyphenols, another micronutrient term which has parlanced popularly because of evidence for its role in the prevention of degenerative diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases.Antioxidants protect the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
In a study that compared the antioxidant activity of 26 spices, cinnamon wound up outranking superfoods like garlic and oregano.
Benefits of cinnamon in its anti-inflammatory properties
This is very important due to the role that inflammation has played in scientific health studies. In fact, these studies consider inflammation as playing a high-risk role in degenerative diseases. Cinnamon has the ability to fight infections and repair tissue damage.
The benefits of cinnamon in cutting heart disease
Cinnamon has been linked with reduced risk of heart disease, the world’s most common cause of premature death.
In people with a certain type of diabetes, 1 gram of cinnamon per day has beneficial effects on blood markers. It also reduces levels of total cholesterol. In fact, a cinnamon dose of 120 milligrams per day can have these effects. In animal studies, cinnamon has also been known to reduce blood pressure.
The benefits of cinnamon rebound in improving sensitivity to insulin metabolism and energy use. It is also essential for the transport of blood sugar from the bloodstream into cells. The problem is that many people are resistant to the effects of insulin.
Insulin is one of the key hormones that regulate metabolism and energy use; it is also essential for the transport of blood sugar from the bloodstream and into cells. The problem is that many people are resistant to the effects of insulin. The condition known as insulin resistance is the hallmark for type 2 diabetes. The good news is one of the benefits of cinnamon is that it can dramatically reduce insulin resistance.
Benefits of cinnamon in neurological diseases
While the benefits of cinnamon need to be studied in the scientific community much harder and longer, there have been some qualitative improvements in animal studies of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. While admittedly only in the early studies, cinnamon has still to play a role in the advancement of improvements in these diseases.
While all of these studies are still in the formative process, we are heartened and hopeful that more research and progress will be made towards conquering these harmful diseases. Stay tuned.
If you have a question about the “benefits of cinnamon,” or anything else, you can write me at Ask The Spiritual Explorer.
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