Cinnamon

Cinnamomum spp

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a classic warming herb to turn to for a cozy atmosphere.

Cinnamon History and Folkore

There is evidence that cinnamon was used in Egypt and the Middle East earlier than 2000 BCE. It was found in tombs and documented in ancient Chinese texts. It was used for healing, embalming and as ceremonial incense. The book of Exodus lists cinnamon as an ingredient for holy anointing oil, while Revelations lists it among the treasures of the Earth.

During height of the European spice trade, cinnamon was worth more than gold by weight. The mystique around cinnamon was enhanced by the stories the merchants told about it. That it was sourced from the nests of dangerous birds, that brave cinnamon harvesters must climb steep cliffs and risk life and limb to obtain it.

The desire to bypass these middlemen and their stories was a driving force behind the Age of Exploration. When the Portuguese claimed Sri Lanka in the 1500s, they demanded cinnamon as tribute from the locals. Then the Dutch seized the area, they firmed up the monopoly by destroying cinnamon trees outside their control. By the time England seized the area in the 1700s, enterprising farmers had established cinnamon plantations throughout the tropics and weakened the monopoly.

Lead Contamination in Cinnamon

Cinnamon has a long and recent history of adulteration. Most recently, cinnamon has been indicated in cases of lead poisoning throughout the world. Lead enters cinnamon in one of two ways. It can be absorbed through the soil and through the environment in other ways during production, if it is grown and processed in a contaminated environment. More often though, lead is purposefully added to cinnamon to brighten its color and increase its weight, thus increasing its perceived value and the profit of its producers.

Lead chromate is a yellow-orange compound that brightens cinnamon’s color and its taste is sweet. It also doesn’t occur naturally in cinnamon trees that absorb lead from the environment. So when children were sickened by lead poisoned cinnamon flavored applesauce pouches in 2023, the lead chromate that was present confirmed that the cinnamon was purposefully adulterated somewhere along the supply chain.

It is much easier to adulterate powdered cinnamon than cinnamon sticks. So, although it is possible for cinnamon sticks to inherit contamination from its environment, sticks are still much safer than pre-ground cinnamon powder. It’s also easy enough to grind and tastes fresher.

Many cinnamon providers now provide testing certificates from third parties, verifying that they are free of heavy metals.

Consumer Reports has a list of brands it has tested https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-contaminants/high-lead-levels-in-cinnamon-powders-and-spice-mixtures-a4542246475/?msockid=144650a644b565ef178c44ba45a76441

Lead was used as a sweetener in ancient Rome.

 

Cinnamon in the Garden

Cinnamon trees have aromatic bark, glossy leaves and tiny flowers.

 

Cinnamon prefer loamy, well-drained soil and full to partial sun

The cinnamon tree is a tropical plant that only grows well in a tropical environment. They can be grown in pots indoors and can yield fragrant bark after several years of care. It requires bright light, temperatures above freezing and high humidity year round.

 

 

Cinnamon in the Kitchen

Cinnamon’s spicy-sweet warmth enhances sweet and bitter beverages like coffee, tea, wine, ciders and warm milk; savory meat and rice dishes, curries, sweet baked goods, creamy desserts and fruits. Whole sticks can be simmered in sauces, stews and beverages or ground cinnamon can be sprinkled in.

Cinnamon is rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin K and antioxidants

 

Cinnamomum spp for Healing

Cinnamon has many healing uses and has for its known history. I personally use it for motion sickness, blood sugar spikes and general viral illnesses. I add it to my tea with some honey or suck/chew on a cinnamon stick.

Some research suggests that cinnamon can aid with weight loss and lowering blood sugar.

Some research suggests it may be useful in treating or preventing cancer, though we don’t quite know enough about that yet.

Laboratory tests show that cinnamon may inhibit the growth of staphylococcus, E. coli, salmonella, and candida and my mother taught me to use cinnamon to prevent damping off fungus in my seedlings.

 

Cinnamon Magick

Cinnamon is a warming herb that corresponds to both the element Fire and the Sun. It conjures up cozy feelings of safety, security and comfort. As such, it is used in magick for protection, prosperity and abundance spells to provide financial security and comfort. It also quickens and warms without being too hot to handle, thus it may be used for physical love and to “put a fire” under someone or a situation to get things moving along or speed things up without making them uncomfortable.

Add cinnamon to potpourri, simmer pots, break up some sticks into your coffee brew or use them to mull wine or cider to raise the whole vibe.

Use cinnamon to attract abundance, comfort and security to your home. Use cinnamon sticks to decorate a wreath on your front door. Hang a cinnamon broom inside your front door. Blow powdered cinnamon into your front door from the outside.

Sprinkle cinnamon over your money clip or wallet to encourage it to fill up with cash.

Add cinnamon to any spell to “heat things up” and get things moving.