By: Dr. Natasha Merali-Ebrahim, N.D.

Most people have a bottle of cinnamon in their spice cupboards, but how many have ever thought of it as medicine?

Cinnamon bark has a long history of being used as medicine in ancient Egypt, China and India. It has been used traditionally to treat toothaches, provide relief from menstrual pain, fight bad breath, decrease cold/flu, flatulence, nausea, diarrhea and other digestive problems. It is also believed to increase circulation and prevent heart disease.

Cinnamon has been given a lot of attention lately for its role in glucose control and diabetes. Studies have shown that cinnamon extract seems to have a moderate effect in reducing fasting plasma glucose concentrations in diabetic patients with poor glycaemic control. Cinnamon lowers blood sugar levels, by decreasing insulin resistance. This can be effective in individuals with type 2 diabetes, since the sugar-lowering hormone, insulin, does not work adequately. In several studies, cinnamon has also been shown to improve hemoglobin A1C levels, which is a reflection of the average blood sugar levels for the past 2-3 months. Simply adding some cinnamon to your next meal can actually lower its glycemic index!

Cinnamon is also known to reduce lipids. Research shows that it decreases triglyceride levels, LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol levels, while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. The effects of cinnamon on lipid levels continued even 60 days after the end of the treatment. This is important because it shows that the effects of cinnamon therapy are long lasting.

The essential oil of cinnamon is obtained from the bark and leaves of cinnamon tree. It has been studied for its strong ability to stop the growth of both bacteria and fungi, including medication resistant fungi – candida. It can be used easily by diluting it in some water and applying it to the infection.

The active component of cinnamon called Cinnamaldehyde (also known as cinnamic aldehyde) is known for its effects on blood clotting. Cinnamon helps prevent the unwanted clotting of blood platelets by decreasing the release of inflammatory mediators. Through this mechanism, cinnamon also has an anti-inflammatory effect and has been shown to be helpful in the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

In the ancient world, cinnamon was believed to be more precious than gold! They were onto something! So, while adding a pinch of cinnamon may be a great way to add flavour to your favourite meal, it may actually benefit your health in so many ways!