Spices: The Many Uses of Cinnamon

Cinnamon is the sweet-smelling bark (= outer covering) of a tropical Asian tree, used for giving a special taste to food. A cinnamon stick is a stick-shaped rolled-up piece of this bark.
Cinnamon is a kind of exotic spice. It is very aromatic, sweet and spicy. People usually put cinnamon in sweet baked goods (such as cinnamon rolls), hot wine or liquors.
Cinnamon is a light yellowish-brown colour. It can be used to describe a particular type of hair and the colour of different products such as lipstick and nail varnish or fibres such as silk. There are even cinnamon-based perfumes with top-notes of vanilla. Cinnamon oil is a dark liquid with a sweet, warm-spicy, dry powerful aroma. Cinnamon essential oil is highly anti-microbial and anti-bacterial for a great diversity of infectious bacteria.

A cinnamon roll is a small round pastry with a sweet cinnamon taste. Cinnamon rolls are a popular food for breakfast in the US.

Cinnabon is a type of cinnamon roll sold in the US, especially at Cinnabon shops at malls and airports.

Health: The Positive Effects of Cinnamon

There is a meaningful decrease in blood sugar in people who consume 6 grams of cinnamon a day. Cinnamon has been indicated as a potential insulin substitute for those with type 2 diabetes ~ cinnamon contains a bioactive component with insulin-like effects which increases glucose metabolism 20-fold. A half a teaspoon of cinnamon combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast relieves arthritis pain after one week, and almost eliminates pain altogether within one month. Cinnamon's other benefits include:
Supports digestive function
Reduces triglyceride and cholesterol levels
Relieves congestion
Relieves pain and stiffness of muscles and joints
Contains anti-inflammatory compounds that relieve arthritis
Helps to prevent urinary tract infections and yeast infections
Has an anti-clotting effect on the blood
Prevents tooth decay and gum disease
It's a powerful anti-microbial agent that can kill E. coli and other bacteria
As a food preservative, it prevents food spoilage
Reduces the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells
Smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory
It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium