Cinnamon: A Spice or An Herb

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You can put cinnamon on toast, in cookies and apple pies, and I even like it in my coffee! But it is more than just a great spice for a sweet tooth! Cinnamon is one of the worlds’ oldest healing herbs, it is listed in Ancient Chinese manuals from 2700 BC as a very aromatic, medicinal plant. The Greeks and the Romans offered it to their gods!!

Today Science has confirmed its value for indigestion, infection and to help control insulin in diabetes. This herb was used for medicinal health long before they found out it was also a great culinary spice and started adding it to their food!

In the 12th century, German herbalist recommended cinnamon as a universal spice for sinuses and treatment for cold, flu and “inner decay and slime”. Cinnamon is a stimulant, it “warms “ the organs and that is why, especially during the winter, we use it for colds, sinus infections and body warmth because it moves the circulation.

It is also a carminative, as many other warming herbs are; like cloves, cardamom and ginger, which we also use as spices. A carminative means its good for digestion, gas or flatulence, nausea and vomiting. A great way to use cinnamon is to heat it with milk and honey, sort of like a Chai tea, it just warms your soul!

When cinnamon is used to spice up a low-fat food, a compound called eugenol, works to help reduce arteriole clogging clots to form and reduces cholesterol. A Japanese study indicates that an acid in Chinese cinnamon fortifies the stomachs natural defenses and helps stop any bad bacteria from forming stomach ulcers.

A 10-year Diabetes Prevention Study shows that cinnamon can play a role in everyday management of blood sugar levels and cardiovascular risk factors. So, along with a total approach of weight loss, exercise and good nutrition, or for some who may need more help, insulin medication; the spice Cinnamon is a wonderful aroma to add to your daily routine.

References: Healing Spices by Bharat Aggarwal

Cindy Burrows
Cynthia Burrows, M.T. CWC, Herbalist

Cynthia Burrows, from Austin, Texas, owns Cindy Burrows, Natural Health Consultant; assisting individuals with health issues they would like to change. She will set up a program giving choices of foods, herbs, teas and homeopathic suggestions. Cindy is past owner of Nature’s Healing Herbs, an Herbal, Green Tea, and Tincture product line, and a rare product line of Green Tea Foods. She has certificates for Herbalist at East West School of Herbology, and as Wellness Consultant with the Wellness Forum in Ohio.

Cindy is also a Medical Technologist, with a B.S. degree from Mansfield University in Mansfield Pa., she has been in healthcare for over 30 years. In 2005, she started using a new device founded in Europe, Quantum Biofeedback, “an energy rebalancing of the body”, by using our bodies electricity or frequency waves it can detect stress points in the body, she has added this to her consulting practice. She now has her Certification as a Biofeedback Specialist. She helps her clients by working with the synergy of herbs, food, homeopathy, and aromatherapy within her practice. She is a speaker, writer, and teacher. Cindy has been interviewed on TV; about the benefits of Green Tea and has been on radio about her small business tour to Ecuador.

Cindy has been an herbalist for over 20 years and has spent 6 years learning through the East West School of Herbology with Michael Tierra. She has studied Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic Herbs with a strong emphasis on nutrition. Along with many other continued studies of alternative and complementary medicine. She is a Certified Wellness Consultant, through a special program, The Wellness Forum, which has its nutrition program, now part of the curriculum at Ohio State University, providing educational seminars and workshops designed to impart relevant nutrition information to individuals to take control of their own health. These programs give healthier options and choices that can impact your longevity and quality of life. Cindy has been a speaker to many groups and has conducted many of her own classes on food and healthy life style programs.

Cindy has been involved with a hands-on healing program for the past 4 years and offers energy healing, through donation only, to anyone who needs her services.

She is Co-president of the Austin Herb Society and a member of the American Herbalist Guild. Cynthia has been a board member on many programs in the past including; La Sertoma, Arthritis Foundation, Toastmasters International, National Association of Female Executives, Handicapped Equestrian Learning Program, Entrepreneurs Association, and Austin Integrated Health Care Program.

Cindy also loves nature, animals, reading, blending teas, juices, etc.; likes to hike, and work with plants and, of course, cooking., mostly vegetarian.
Cindy has an adventurous streak.
She has organized and taken tours with business and artists groups to Big Bend, Texas, New Mexico, USA, and Ecuador, South America.