This recipe is an excerpt from the article “Cinnamon Mini Monograph” by Harmonie O’Loughlin from the All About Cinnamon booklet which was featured as bonus with purchase of the Autumn Vol 1 | Issue 2 | 2022 edition of Botanical Anthology. To dive deeper with cinnamon check out the entire booklet here! Our herbal magazine, featuring remedies, recipes and projects with plants for the autumn season, can be purchased as a digital version here and as a printed version here.
Identification
Cinnamomum spp.
Cinnamomum vernum is Ceylon cinnamon, largely grown in Sri Lanka, has a sweet, lighter flavor.
Cinnamomum cassia is Cassia cinnamon, largely grown in China, has a more spicy, pungent flavor.
Of the Lauraceae or Laurel family.
Parts Used
Bark, leaves
Properties
Warm | Drying | Stimulating
Antimicrobial | Antifungal | Antibacterial | Antiviral | Antiseptic
Astringent | Relaxant | Stomachic | Carminative | Hypoglycemic | Antioxidant
Indications
Tea: sluggish digestion, diarrhea, gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, cold and flu, congestion, fever, high and low blood sugar, uterine bleeding, heavy flow, cramps
Oil: circulation, back and neck pain, arthritis, wounds
Compress: arthritis, wounds
Powder: athletes foot, infections
Gargle: toothache, infections
Culinary: curries, chutney, horchata, masala chai, garam masala, ras el hanout, chili, mulled wine and cider, desserts and baked goods.
Folklore & Fables
Its species name, Cinnamomum, derives from the Hebrew word “amomon” which means “fragrant spice nest.” The Ceylon species name Cinnamomum vernum derives from “vera” which means “truth” and why this species is called true cinnamon.
In Italian, the word for cinnamon is canella, which translates to little tubes.
Ruled by the Sun and Mars and the sign Gemini, its element is fire.
In floriography, or Victorian language of flowers, cinnamon signifies “my fortune is yours”
Symbolism includes healing, love, success, prosperity, psychic awareness, and protection. This high vibration plant enhances the power of magical and spiritual work.
Cinnamon attracts and awakens sensual passions. Smell cinnamon to invoke a sense of nostalgia.
Cinnamon has been in recorded use, medicinally, since 659 A.D. by the Chinese. Ancient Egyptians used it in their embalming practices.
In the first century A.D., Pliny the Elder noted that cinnamon’s value was 15x that of silver. Medieval Europe deemed it more valuable than gold.
Harmonie is the homesteading mama maker behind Flora’s Feast Botanicals and organizer of Plant Wonder Collective. You can find her in the garden growing herbs, in the kitchen experimenting with plants, exploring nature with her daughter or her nose in an herbal book. Follow Harmonie on social media for herbal tidbits, recipes and more at @florasfeastbotanicals and @plantwondercollective or discover her shop and blog at www.florasfeast.com
