Cinnamon: An Ancient Spice With Timeless Healing Wisdom

There are very few herbs on this planet that have traveled through human history with as much admiration and devotion as cinnamon. Today, we use it in our baked goods, potpourri, beverages, and many of our winter rituals. But for thousands of years, throughout much of the globe, healers, spiritual practitioners, and leaders have integrated cinnamon into their daily lives.

In naturopathic medicine, cinnamon remains a focus of attention for its potential to support overall wellness on both physical and emotional levels. Its medicinal properties are well-researched, and its historical importance and continued use demonstrate how we can use it to offer energetic and emotional healing as well.

Common name: Cinnamon

Latin name: Cinnamomum cassia

Parts Used: bark, twigs, dried flowers

Benefits: aromatic stimulant, demulcent (soothing), astringent, mitigates pain, toothaches, digestive aid, and menstrual relief

Taste: a blend of warm, spicy, and sweet

Energetics: stimulating, drying, and moving

History of Cinnamon

Cinnamon, used for both culinary and spiritual purposes, dates back thousands of years to Ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptians treasured it not only as a delicious ingredient in many dishes but also as an important component in embalming rituals and temple offerings. Part of its reverence was due to its rarity, as it came all the way from regions of Southeast Asia. 

 

• In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners have been using cinnamon bark for thousands of years to warm the body, boost circulation, and support the heart, kidney, liver, and spleen meridians. They have also used cinnamon to alleviate pain and nourish and tone the Qi and blood. 

• In Ayurveda

Cinnamon is regarded by Ayurvedic medicine practitioners as a warming and invigorating herb that stimulates the vital digestive fire. It helps balance the Vata and Kapha doshas, while mildly increasing the Pitta dosha. Ayurvedic medicine also uses cinnamon in emotional or energetic work to promote clarity and lift the spirits.

• In Ancient Greece

Cinnamon, a rare ingredient in Ancient Greece, symbolized wealth and divine favor. The ancient Greeks used it in medicine, as a culinary ingredient, and as offerings to gods such as Apollo. The first recorded Greek reference to cinnamon dates back to the 7th century BC, attributed to the poet Sappho. There was so much mystery and awe attached to cinnamon that it was said to be guarded by winged serpents (assuming dragons) and that giant cinnamon birds collected cinnamon sticks for their nests. It was later determined that these were stories that traders told to get a higher price. 

• In Ancient Egypt

As mentioned above, cinnamon was highly prized in ancient Egypt as a spiritual and medicinal aid. In spiritual practices, ancient Egyptians used cinnamon for embalming practices. This was due to its excellent antibacterial properties. Temples were often engulfed in cinnamon’s beautiful aromas both as perfumes and as incense. Medicinally, it was used in a recipe with honey and figs for digestive issues. It was so prized and mysterious that legends were built around it, and Pharaohs would offer it to the gods.  

Benefits

Researchers have devoted considerable time and attention to establishing and understanding cinnamon’s biological properties, in a way, to catch up to what traditional medicine practitioners have known for thousands of years.

• Antioxidant Components

Cinnamon is rich in powerful antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, which help mitigate the damage caused by free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, and lower inflammation. Therefore, these antioxidant properties in cinnamon help support heart health by reducing free radical damage to heart tissue and improving blood lipid profiles.

• Heart Health and Circulatory System Support

Cinnamon supports healthy circulation by relaxing blood vessels, allowing for improved nutrient and oxygen flow. This subsequently helps reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides. 

• Blood Sugar Support

Research suggests that cinnamon may help regulate blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity, slowing carbohydrate digestion, and lowering fasting glucose levels. 

• Digestive Support

Cinnamon’s natural warmth aids in digestion by stimulating the digestive fires. It helps reduce gas and bloating, fights harmful gut bacteria, soothes inflammation, supports stomach wall health, and helps regulate blood sugar after eating by slowing down carbohydrate absorption. 

• Menstrual Relief

Herbalists use cinnamon to relieve some menstrual complications, such as PMS, dysmenorrhea, cramping, and to lessen heavy bleeding.

Herbal remedies can have varying impacts on different individuals. If using herbal remedies like cinnamon sounds like something you’d be interested in, schedule an appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors today!

Emotional Aspects of Cinnamon:

Emotionally, cinnamon is often associated with comfort, safety, and home. Its ability to be both warming and invigorating makes it a helpful medicinal herb for those who feel emotionally cold, withdrawn, or depleted. Many traditions have used cinnamon to promote spiritual strength, inner stability, and calmness.  

While cinnamon can promote calmness and stability on the one hand, on the other, it can stimulate the senses, prompting an awakening feeling and sparking curiosity and creativity. 

 

Recipes With Cinnamon

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal from Eating Bird Food

Ingredients

Oatmeal

• ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup water or milk
• ½ Tablespoon maple syrup, brown sugar, or coconut sugar (optional)
• ¼-½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• pinch of sea salt
• 2 Tablespoons chopped pecans for topping

Cinnamon Apples

• ½ cup diced apples
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

• In a small saucepan, combine diced apples, maple syrup, and cinnamon, and saute over medium heat for a few minutes, until the apples are soft and resemble baked apples. Set aside.
• Add oats, water, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer and continue cooking for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Oatmeal is ready when the oats have absorbed most of the liquid and have a creamy consistency.
• Transfer to a bowl and top with cinnamon apples, pecans, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and additional sweetener if needed.

Cinnamon Digestive Tea from Starwest Botanicals

Ingredients

• 1 tsp whole coriander seed
• 1 tsp whole fennel seed
• ½ tsp whole cumin seed
• ½ tsp cinnamon chips
• 24 oz water

Instructions

• Add seeds to water in a pot on the stove.
• Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer for 10-15 minutes.

 

Cinnamon Simmer Pot from Kathleen Ashmore

Ingredients

• 1 orange, sliced
• 4-5 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 10 whole cloves
• 3-4 cinnamon sticks

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a large pot and fill with water to cover.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
• Simmer for 3-5 hours, topping up with water every 30 minutes as needed to keep the ingredients covered.

 

Missed our other Herbs of the Month? Check them out!:

November: Hibiscus

October: Mugwort

September: Turmeric