During the fall holidays, everyone is cooking and eating so many tasty meals!  Let’s face it, no one really wants to adhere to a diet during this time of year.  Actually, this is when people gain the most weight!  Smh (I’m guilty too, lol).  Well, there is a way that would benefit your health while enjoying the holiday food as well as the food you eat everyday after that…cinnamon!  Plus, all those delicious meals emanate through your skin as well, so why not mix cinnamon with other ingredients for a soothing facial mask!  Now that’s what I’m talking about, cleaning the inside and out!  Come on, it doesn’t get any better than that!

Cinnamon (also called cassia) is a spice that is from the bark of a plant called cinnamomum verum, which is a powerful digestive aid as well as other healthy benefits.  Cinnamon is used aromatically, digestively, and topically.

Some functions include:

• Relief of diarrhea and nausea
• Counteracts congestion
• Aides peripheral circulation
• Warms the body temperature (but not to an unhealthy level)
• Aides in the metabolism of fats
• Fights fungal infections
• Helps lower diabetes
• Promotes weight-loss
• Aides in curing yeast infections
• Aides in curing uterine hemorrhaging

Cinnamon contains beta-carotene, which is an antioxidant that converts to Vitamin A (same as in carrots), playing an important role for the maintenance of the hearts, lungs, kidneys and other organs in the body.  Amongst many other components, the nutrients in cinnamon are very helpful to healthy living.  Containing calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, and C.  WOW!!!  Look at all that goodness in this wonderful spice!

Uses of cinnamon

Aromatically

Cinnamon is used in various different candles and diffusers, not only for scent, but for inhalation benefits.  It helps with bronchitis by opening the airways, all the while cleansing the lungs.  So, it’s cool to go grab that apple cinnamon scent to fill the house with fresh components to cleanse those lungs. (Although it is better to get the therapeutic grade essential oil)

Digestively

Cinnamon is usually used on top or in certain foods, or both!  HAHA!  Most have this delicious French toast, which is not only made with it, but is sprinkled on top for that extra BAM!!!  Inserting it in the foods, gives you the healthy benefits mentioned above.  Check out these great recipes using cinnamon.  Even putting it in your coffee and/or tea to help with that healthy bowl movement in the morning to get my day started right!  Yaaaaasssss!  Also, there are also capsules that you can take to get the benefits of cinnamon.

Topically

Using the cinnamon topically helps fight bacteria.  Mixing it with honey is the best way to get best of both worlds.  The honey helps reduce the redness (if any) that may occur from this powerful spice.

• Face mask:  Mix 1 teaspoon of cinnamon in 2 teaspoons of organic raw honey.  Apply to face and let sit for about 10-15 mins, then rinse with warm water and pat face dry.  You can even add a little turmeric to the mixture for more goodness. (see my other blog on turmeric)
• Arthritis Relief:  Using the cinnamon therapeutic grade essential oil on your skin, helps with symptoms of arthritis. (Mix with a carrier oil such as olive oil)
• Open cuts and wounds:  Applying cinnamon on an open cut or wound, acts as an antiseptic and kills the bacteria and promotes healthy healing. (Again, mix with a carrier oil to prevent skin irritation)

Note:  Should not be used in large amounts during pregnancy.

So enjoy the holidays with the wonderful healthy spice.  Try it and see how much it will change your life, health and wellness.  Leave a comment below and let me know what you think about cinnamon.  That’s all for now.

Get healthy today and stay healthy tomorrow!