Cinnamon - 22 Uses (WWII Series)

Picture from: Sifa's Corner

Cinnamon

Since beginning this World War II series I've really come to appreciate how resourceful people were during this era. However these posts have raised the question, Why don't we use them today? The only answer that I could come up with is that we're to busy. It's so much easier (and more expensive) to purchase a cleaning solution, or headache medicine off of the shelves than it is to stir up your own. 


There is one thing that I've discovered through this series and that is, our grandmothers were geniuses. I've been testing out several of the uses, as I've needed them, like the earwax removal and I can't believe how well they work, most of the time better then the commercial products. To think that I've been wasting my money on commercial products all of these years when I had the solution in my own cupboard, it makes me want to kick myself.

A few weeks ago I thought that I was beginning to run out of ideas to continue this series when out of the blue a complete stranger offered me a tip to help on my weight loss journey. This tip has lead to a whole new avenue of posts and I should be able to keep it going for several more weeks. 

Cinnamon Facts:

• Cinnamomum verum
• Ceylon or True cinnamon" is grown in Sri Lanka
• Commercial cinnamon is called Cassia and is not a "true cinnamon"
• It comes from the inner bark of the tree
• Mentioned several times in the Bible (Exodus, Proverbs, Song of Solomon)
• Ancient Egypt - cinnamon was used in embalming
• Highly prized among ancient nations, regarded as a gift fit for monarchs
• Used in traditional medicine
• Health benefits for: diabetes, arthritis, high cholesterol, memory function, leukemia and lymphoma
• Increases blood flow
• Anti-micobial properties
• Increases collagen production
• Anti-oxidant
• 2 teaspoons = 12 calories

Cinnamon Uses:

Beauty

• Acne and Blemishes - to treat, mix 1 teaspoon powdered cinnamon with 3 tablespoons of honey, apply to the skin before bed. Wash with warm water.
• Blackheads - to banish, mix equal parts oatmeal and powdered cinnamon, add water to make a thick paste. Scrub face with the mixture and rinse with cold water.
• Breath - to freshen, chew on a piece of cinnamon bark or gargle with cinnamon water.
• Hair - to lighten, mix equal parts cinnamon powder and conditioner. Evenly distribute the mixture throughout your wet, untangled hair. Leave on your hair overnight. In the morning wash hair. 
• Lips - to plump, wet a cinnamon stick with warm water and rub it over your lips. Your lips will tingle and begin to plump.

Healthcare

always consult a doctor before using cinnamon as a treatment

• Arthritis - to reduce pain, drink a glass of cinnamon tea.
• Bladder Infections - to avoid, drink a glass of cinnamon tea daily.
• Circulation - to boost, drink a glass of cinnamon tea.
• Cold and Flu - to relieve symptoms, drink a glass of cinnamon tea with a little ginger.
• Indigestion - to avoid, add a little cinnamon to the dish you are serving or drink a glass of cinnamon tea 1/2 hour before eating.
• Insect Bites - to treat, make a mixture using equal parts powdered cinnamon and honey and apply to the bite.
• Menstrual - to ease pain, drink a glass of cinnamon tea.
• Pain - to relieve, drink a glass of cinnamon tea.
• Stomachache - to soothe, drink a glass of cinnamon tea with some honey.
• UTI Infections (urinary tract infections) - to avoid, drink a glass of cinnamon tea daily.
• Weight - to reduce or curb hunger and sugar cravings, drink a glass of cinnamon tea.
• Yeast Infection - to fight, add cinnamon to your diet.

Miscellaneous

• Air Freshener  - to make your own, display a bowl filled with ground cinnamon.
• Ants - to keep them at bay, sprinkle their trail with cinnamon.
• Incenses - to make your own, place a mound of ground cinnamon in a heat resistant dish (ashtray), and light it with a match.
• Moths - to repel, break up 3-4 cinnamon sticks, combine them with 1/2 cup of whole cloves and 1/2 cup of peppercorns. Fill satchels with 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture and place them in the area where you want to repel moths.
• Stovetop Potpourri - to remove odors from your home, fill a saucepan with water and add 1-2 tablespoons of cinnamon powder or 1-2 sticks. Simmer, add water when needed.

Do you see a common theme in the Healthcare section? 

Cinnamon Tea

2 quarts water

1-2 cinnamon sticks

sugar or honey

Place the cinnamon stick(s) and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and allow it to boil for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in sweetener. Serve hot or allow it to cool and pour it into a pitcher to refrigerate and serve cold.