10 amazing health and beauty benefits of Cinnamon

Durga Puja, the most awaited occasion in the lives of Bengalis  worldwide, is just a month away. And many are freaking out with their beauty regime, pimple bursts, weight management etc. Hello and welcome back to my blog. And, when your friend Prabhasini is there, do not fear. I hereby, bring the easiest and most cost effective solution for all your problems. And, your partner in this journey of turning into a diva would be none other than the most popularly used kitchen ingredient - Cinnamon.

Cinnamon, which is widely used worldwide as a spice in a variety of recipes, because of the unique sweet flavour and aroma it renders to the dish prepared, has also been used across the world since thousands of years for its medicinal properties. It is actually ranked as the most preferred and rich source of antioxidants by researchers.

The health benefits come from the bark of the Cinnamon tree. It contains special compounds like - cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and cinnamate, which are responsible for delivering these health abd beauty benefits.

Here in a nutshell is a list of ten amazing health and beauty benefits of Cinnamon -

1. High source of Antioxidants

Cinnamon is useful ingredient in anti-aging beauty regimes. Due to very high amount of protective antioxidants present, it effectively reduces free radical damage, thereby slowing down the aging process.

Apart from slowing down the aging process, it also effectively reduces a multitude of symptoms and diseases like many forms of oxidative stress, including the ability to limit nitric oxide build up in the blood and lipid (fat) peroxidation, which can both add to instances of brain disorders, cancer, heart disease, and other conditions.

2. Contains Anti-Inflammatory Properties

The antioxidants in Cinnamon have anti-inflammatory properties, which helps lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, brain function decline, and more.It is also beneficial in pain management,reliving muscle soreness, PMS pains, severity of allergic reactions, and other age-related symptoms of pain too. It is also helpful in fighting arthritis.

3. Protection and maintenance of Oral Health

From the texts of ayurveda, it is pretty evident that cinnamon has been an indispensable ingredient in the protection and maintenance of oral health. Extracts found in cinnamon effectively combats against bacteria living in the oral microflora that could cause bad breath, tooth decay, cavities, or mouth infections. Hence, the essential oil from cinnamon is used to naturally combat bacteria in the mouth, acting like a natural anti-bacterial mouthwash.

4. Help in weight reduction

A cup of cinnamon tea is often prescribed by many practicing dietitians for those aiming to reduce their weight. As little as one gram of cinnamon per day has been shown to improve blood sugar control and lower cholesterol. Further, because of its sweetening properties, it is also effectively used as a substitute for sugar, thereby cutting down the intake of fats.

5. Helps fight allergies

Cinnamon is helpful in fighting common allergy symptoms because it reduces inflammation and fights histamine reactions in the body. For the same reason it is also helpful in reducing symptoms of asthma attacks.

6. Stimulating Hair growth

Due to the presence of special chemical compounds and its sweet aroma, it is also used in shampoos - both to stimulate hair growth and leave a sweet scent after the hair wash. Actually, many feel a tingling sensation after the wash, but, it actually indicates that it is working. Mix cinnamon with honey or olive oil to make a mask, and apply on your hair every week. It is bound to produce results, by stimulating growth.

7. A solution for acne, blemish and pimple

 Cinnamon has both anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties. Due to these, it is effectively used to treat acne and pimple problems. It cures from the core, leaving behind not even a trace of it. Applying cinnamon with honey on the effected areas helps reduce the swelling and redness. A regular application of this pack, every alternate day helps cure this problem forever.

8. Cures cold

Cinnamon is a warming herb used to cure cold and the common flu. Cinnamon, when added to ginger tea, is an excellent cold reliever. Another remedy includes adding quarter-teaspoon if cinnamon powder to a tablespoon of honey. Consume the mixture twice a day for three days for best results.

9. Treats rough feet and is a complexion enhancer

As a rich source of antioxidants, cinnamon has the properties to treat a rough feet, esp. the heels. A foot bath of cinnamon can soften rough and dry skin.

Due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties, cinnamon also helps enhance the complexion. A pack of banana, cinnamon powder and honey or yogurt mixed with rose water can yield effective results if applied regularly twice every week.

10. Cinnamon for the healthy heart and brain

Cinnamon effectively help defend the brain against developing neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

Cinnamon activates neuron-protective proteins that protect brain cells from mutation and undergoing damage. This further reduces the negative effects of oxidation stress by stopping cells from morphing and self-destructing.

Cinnamon has special compounds which are able to help reduce levels of total cholesterol, LDL “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides, while HDL “good” cholesterol remains stable. Cinnamon has also been shown to reduce high blood pressure, which is another threat for causing heart disease or a stroke.

These are just a few of the enormous list of benefits cinnamon has to offer. So, lets include cinnamon in our lives for a healthy, beautiful and happy living.