Yoga Tea Recipe (Cinnamon)

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Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum cassia)

Cinnamon increases general vitality, warms and energizes the body as a whole,

counteracts congestion, stops diarrhea, improves digestion,

relieves abdominal spasms, is antirheumatic and aids the peripheral blood

circulation.

Cinnamon is a very mild herb that is well tolerated by a broad variety of

people. Cinnamon is a pungent, sweet and hot yang tonic. It

increases general vitality, warms and energizes the body as a whole,

counteracts congestion, stops diarrhea, improves digestion,

relieves abdominal spasms, is antirheumatic and aids the peripheral blood

circulation.

 

Strangely enough, cinnamon enhances the flow of blood through the body, but,

paradoxically, herbalists revere it for its ability to stop

excessive bleeding.

 

Cinnamon bark excels in treating menstrual cramps. Many American women have

found it to be a dramatic remedy, often giving relief

on the first try, after years of monthly pain.

 

Like dong quai, cinnamon is a warming herb, which in Chinese terms "warms the

middle and disperses cold." This property makes it a

very good choice to promote menstruation. Cinnamon enhances circulation to the

uterus, so the warm relaxing blood can relieve the

cramps. As you would imagine, cinnamon is often used together with dong quai

for this symptom.

 

The classic patient who can benefit from cinnamon is cold, dry and frail, and

often has osteoarthritis, asthma and digestive problems.

 

Since cinnamon is common as a culinary herb, it is necessary to be a selective

shopper to get good quality. You will find medicinal

quality cinnamon in your health food store, Chinese herb pharmacy, or from a

top quality medicinal tea manufacturer.

 

Chinese medicine authorities say that cinnamon is very safe, but should be used

only with caution during pregnancy.

 

References:

 

Dhuley JN Anti-oxidant effects of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) bark and

greater cardamom (Amomum subulatum) seeds

in rats fed high fat diet. Indian J Exp Biol 1999 Mar;37(3):238-42

Mancini-Filho J, Van-Koiij A, Mancini DA, Cozzolino FF, Torres RP

Antioxidant activity of cinnamon (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum,

Breyne) extracts. Boll Chim Farm 1998 Dec;137(11):443-7

Kurokawa M, Kumeda CA, Yamamura J, Kamiyama T, Shiraki K Antipyretic

activity of cinnamyl derivatives and related

compounds in influenza virus-infected mice. Eur J Pharmacol 1998 May

1;348(1):45-51