Cinnamon - South Asian Wellness Staple For A Healthy Mind, Body & Soul

Native to the Malabar Coast of India, cinnamon is an ancient spice that has long been used in South Asian cuisines for its unique flavour and potent health benefits. In Sanskrit, the spice is known as ‘Tvak’ and is an excellent pacifier for those with Vāta and Kapha doshas. Cinnamon also finds it’s way into the formulation of our immunity tisane, and for good reason; besides adding flavour, the spice also helps in improving your health and well-being making the tea a great addition to your wellness rituals.

The Harvesting Process

It is painstakingly sourced by harvesting the stems of the evergreen cinnamon tree while the inner bark is still wet. The cut stems are processed by scraping off the outer bark and beating the branch evenly with a hammer until the inner bark becomes loose. This inner bark is then pried off into long rolls of which only 0.5 mm is actually used; the outer woody portion is discarded, leaving metre-long strips that curl into rolls once dry. The process of drying usually takes about 4 to 6 hours (provided it is done in a well-ventilated and relatively warm environment) and once dry, the barks are cut into 5 to 10 cm lengths for sale.

Health Benefits

Improves digestion

As a natural digestive, cinnamon boosts digestion, relieves flatulence (along with abdominal pain, diarrhoea and irritable bowel syndrome) along with improving liver function. Incorporating it into your daily diet ensures the removal of AMA toxins from the body and improved nutrient absorption.

Relieves cough + cold

The penetrating quality of cinnamon serves as an expectorant and expels mucus from the body. Powdered cinnamon bark is great for relief from cough, cold, asthma, headache and tuberculosis.

Manages diabetes

Since ancient times, cinnamon has been revered as a potent Ayurvedic remedy for managing type 2 diabetes due to its ability to regulate the production of insulin. Cinnamon reduces insulin resistance and reduces blood sugar levels; regular intake of cinnamon has been known to show a marked improvement in maintaining glycemic levels in the body.

Protects the heart

The essential oils of cinnamon makes it a natural blood thinner; regular intake of cinnamon reduces the coagulation of blood in the arteries, treats atherosclerosis, keeps high blood pressure in check and promotes a healthy heart. Incorporating cinnamon into your diet is great way to purify your blood and keep heart ailments at bay.

Promotes healthy skin

Cinnamon’s anti-inflammatory properties are immensely beneficial for fighting acne, pimples and other skin infections. Cinnamon oil has also been used in Ayurveda since ancient times for stimulating the production of collagen and elastin, helping treat + reverse signs of ageing.

Soha Joshi