Cinnamon Cinnamomum Zeylanicum

Cinnamon Cinnamomum Zeylanicum has been especially known since biblical times as an aromatic spice. In Exodus 30:22-25 we read the God advised Moses to include cinnamon as one of the ingredients of the holy ointment for annointing the holy tabernacle. Cinnamon Cinnamomum Zeylanicum later became such a widely used commodity in Europe that the Portuguese occupied Sri Lanka for its cinnamon. Later in the eighteenth century the Dutch took control of Sri Lanka to monopolise the cinnamon market. Cinnamon Cinnamomum Zeylanicum is native to forest areas of Sri Lanka, southern India, the Sychelles and Malaysia among others.

Uses of Cinnamon Cinnamomum Zeylanicum

• As already indicated cinnamon is mostly used as an aromatic spice. Jewish priests would also prepare a holy oil, comprising other spices, cinnamon. This oil was used on their bodies before they made a ritual animal sacrifice. This prompted one Israelite scientist Professor Michael Ovadia of Tel Aviv University in Israel to research the possibillity that that this was because this oil might have used to prevent spread of infection agents to people . This spiritual scientist later isolated an ingredient from cinnamon that is anti viral. He says his research has shown that it might be effective against avian flu and HIV/Aids. He however cautioned that taking high doses of cinnamon in the form of tea etc as it might be toxic.

• This scientist has used this extract to quickly and effectively immunize chicken embryos from the Newcastle disease virus.

• Cinnamon Cinnamomum Zeylanicum has also been used by the Chinese for calming digestive acids. Some western scientists have also advocated the digestive properties of cinnamon.

• Cinnamon pills are also used by some to treat diabetes. 

• In India the cinnamon bark is used during childbirth labour.

My previous post entitled Medicinal cinnamon also pointed out that cinnamon can be used to dispel nausea, treat colds, sore throats and rheumatic conditions. Cinnamon Essential Oil is also known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties

Medicinal Cinnamon

There are  various medicinal uses of cinnamon. The parts of cinammon that are used for medicinal purposes are the inner bark of young stems-dried and wrapped  round thin rods to form quills and also cinnamon essential oils. Medicinal cinnamon can be used to treat the following conditions:-

• It is well known to dispel nausea
• Medicinal Cinnamon can deaden the nerve where there is toothache
  
  
• Cinnamon can also be added to water that is used for steam inhalation  for colds and upper respiratory tract infections.
• Cinnamon essential oil is also antibacterial  and antifungal
• Cinnamon can also be taken to for colds, sore throats and rheumatic conditions.
• Cinnamon is also known to assist the human digestion system.

5 Killer Spices Against E Coli in Meat

Micro biologist Dr Daniel Y C Fung who is also the professor of Food Science in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at Kansas State University says researches he has led at the university have shown that there are five "killer spices" that make ground beef safer. These spices are garlic, cinnamon, oregano, cloves and sage.

The studies showed that two to five teaspoons of garlic powder added to ground meat can provide protection against the potentially deadly strains of E Coli (Eschelichia coli) in undercooked food products. Daniel Y C Fung says, " garlic or other natural spices can give an additive protection to heating and other treatments. He however warned that while garlic and other spices provided "added measure of safety" they  should not be a substitute for good cooking practices. Meat should be cooked at 160 F for safety. I would however urge the readers to consider dropping meat entirely in their diet, not only for the e coli which can also be found in vegetable like the case of the cucumbers, but because nowadays meat is full of all the toxins and injected and natural hormones that can destroy our health.

The studies showed that 1 percent (2-5 teaspoons) garlic powder to about two pounds of ground beef kills 90-97 percent of the E. coli.7.5 percent clove mixture to ground beef kills about 99 percent of the E. coli. As little as 3 percent plum extract to ground beef kills more than 90 percent of major food-borne pathogens and enhances meat's moistness without altering meat's flavor. The more reason why we should always have garlic in our salads and all diets. Besides being antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal etc garlic is rich in antioxidants that clean the body from free radicals that can harm our bodies and lead to cancer

E coli Escherichia coli and Cinnamon, Garlic and Echinacea

Cinnamon leaf

In view of the new virulent E. coli (Escherichia coli) spread in Europe at the moment I have done some research on E. coli and found an interesting article from Science Daily of 6th August 1999. The article reported on a study that showed that cinnamon is a lethal weapon against E.coli O157:H7 (Escherichia coli). We therefore need to keep some cinnamon nearby and use it to protect our bodies from being infected by this E coli strain and also to cure ourselves if infected. Scientist are already reporting that antibiotics cannot deal effectively with this new strain and may in some cases worsen the situation.

We should also bear in mind that Garlic is also very effective against bacteria and viruses and should now be taken liberally to ward off this threat. When taken together with Echinacea, garlic is a very effective remedy against any bacteria and virus. Echinacea boosts the body's Immune system while garlic kills bacteria or viruses on contact.

Lead researcher of the Cinnamon study Erdogan Ceylan, M.S., reported that in apple juice samples inoculated with about one million E. coli O157:H7 bacteria, about one teaspoon (0.3 percent) of cinnamon killed 99.5 percent of the bacteria in three days at room temperature (25 C). When the same amount of cinnamon was combined with either 0.1 percent sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate, preservatives approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the E. coli were knocked out to an undetectable level. The number of bacteria added to the test samples was 100 times the number typically found in contaminated food.

"This research indicates that the use of cinnamon alone and in combination with preservatives in apple juice, besides its flavoring effect, might reduce and control the number of E. coli O157:H7," concluded Ceylan, a Ph.D. graduate assistant at K-State. "Cinnamon may help protect consumers against foodborne bacteria that may be in unpasteurized juices and may partially or completely replace preservatives in foods to maintain their safety," he said.

In another study  Daniel Y.C. Fung, Ph.D., professor of Food Science in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at K-State, researched the antimicrobial effects of various spices on E. coli O157:H7 in raw ground beef and sausage and found that cinnamon, clove, and garlic were the most powerful. This research led to their recent studies on cinnamon in apple juice, which proved to be a more effective medium than meat for the spice to kill the bacteria.

"In liquid, the E. coli have nowhere to hide," Fung noted, "whereas in a solid structure, such as ground meat, the bacteria can get trapped in the fat or other cells and avoid contact with the cinnamon. But this cannot happen in a free-moving environment."

These studies further strengthen the belief among many herbalists of the efficacy and the power of garlic, cinnamon and even echinacea which has been shown in other studies to boost the body's immune system by inducing the production of among others T Cells. Echinacea also induces the production phagocytes to fight off any infection.  Let us keep these formidable forces of nature nearby as we face these mutated germs. For more on e coli visit the following posts:
Symptoms of E Coli and Home Remedies Against E coli and Five killer spices Against E Coli In Meat

Treat Nausea Naturally

Below are some foods that can help in dealing with nausea.

Ginger.

Many experts consider ginger to be the best remedy for nausea. A study in Thailand showed that a dose of at least 1 gram of ginger was more effective than a placebo at preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting. Some studies have shown that ginger appears to be as effective as metoclorpramide (Reglan, Clopra) for reducing nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy

Peppermint

Canadian scientist Rachel Westphal found that peppermint worked as well for pregnant women as mixtures of peppermint and ginger or pure ginger did. With more than half dozen gas reducing carminatives (stomach-settling agents), more than a dozen pain relievers, and even more sedative and tranquilizing compounds, peppermint offfers a multiple whammy against stomach troubles.

Peppermint seems to stop muscle spasms in the digestive tract, including those involved in vomiting. The oil found in peppermint leaves also blocks the transmission of nausea impulses from the brain to the stomach as well as sedate and irritated digestive tract. And the tannins in the mint help reduce stomach inflamation.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon contains the antiemetic camphor and two carminatives (eugenol and safrole). It also contains chemicals called catechins, which help relieve nausea.

Cayenne.

Among other uses for healing cayenne is a proven remedy for motion sickness. At first sign of nausea, take a teaspoon of cayenne disolved in a teaspoom of olive oil.