Natural Cures Not Medicine: cinnamon

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Showing posts with label cinnamon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cinnamon. Show all posts

The cinnamon in holiday cooking reduces blood sugar and can cure the common cold

Image: cookingwithkrista.blogspot.com
(NaturalNews) Cinnamon is a frequent addition to holiday meals such as pumpkin pie and mulled cider. Cinnamon can also be used to lower blood sugar, treat the common cold and thin blood. In fact, the drug Coumadin is derived from a synthetic form of cinnamon. Used in Chinese medicine, cinnamon is derived from the bark of a tree native to Ceylon (Sri Lanka). The oil from the tree bark contains the active ingredient, cinnamonaldehyde. Cinnamon oil is calming to the nervous system.

Healing uses of cinnamon
Cinnamon can be used to treat heart disease, as it is known to reduce cholesterol. And ongoing research on the use of cinnamon continually shows that it reduces blood sugar. Cinnamon acts as an antifungal and can treat yeast infections and thrush. It can also treat Helicobacter pylori bacterial infections, which lead to ulcers. Cinnamon can be used as a gargle to treat sore throats.

Cinnamon use in Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, Egypt and Rome
In traditional Chinese medicine, cinnamon has been used for over five thousand years to cure colds, improve digestion and treat nausea, diarrhea and painful menses. It can also be used to improve the health of those who have chronically cold feet and hot upper bodies, a condition known in Chinese medicine as "kwai."

Cinnamon was used by the Egyptians to embalm mummies and also to preserve meat. Ancient Romans used cinnamon for coughs and colds and also burned it to clear the air. Romans also used cinnamon for offerings at shrines. Pliny the Elder in the first century A.D. wrote that cinnamon was 15 times more valuable than silver. In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, cinnamon is utilized to treat diabetes, indigestion and those with kapha temperaments. Cinnamon is an ingredient in chai tea and, as such, aids digestion of fruit and dairy.

Warning for use of cinnamon
Pregnant women should avoid the use of cinnamon, as it can cause blood thinning that is not beneficial while pregnant. Also, it's recommended that anyone on blood-thinning medication or on diabetic medicine consult with their medical advisers before adding cinnamon to their diet.

Source: naturalnews.com

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

http://www.nlm.nih.gov

http://www.mayoclinic.com

http://cms.bsu.edu

http://science.naturalnews.com

About the author:
Talya Dagan is a health advocate and health coach, trained in nutrition and gourmet health food cuisine, writing about natural remedies for disease and nutrition and herbal medicine.


11 Amazing Health Benefits of Cinnamon

by Andrea Manitsas – Organic Authority

Once upon a time, cinnamon was more valuable than gold. And while these days I’m betting most of us would rather get our hands on 24 karats over 24 ounces – a bar over a stick – this bark-cum-spice has just as much bite as it does bark. The potential health benefits attributable to cinnamon could be stated as nothing short of astonishing.
Image: www.amillionlives.net

It’s possible we’re just brushing the surface here, for Chinese medicine and Ayurveda have long revered cinnamon as a superpower used to treat things such as colds, indigestion and cramps and also believed to improve energy, vitality and circulation. The following are ten health benefits associated with this beloved spice that studies have suggested:

1. 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower your bad cholesterol (or LDL).

2. Cinnamon may help treat Type 2 Diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and increasing the amount of insulin production in the body.

3. Cinnamon has antifungal properties, and it’s been said that candida cannot live in a cinnamon environment.

4. Cinnamon can reduce the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

5. Cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.

6. Honey and Cinnamon combined have been found to relieve arthritis pain.

7. When added to food, cinnamon inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.

8. Just smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.

9. Cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.

10. Cinnamon has been found to be an effective natural remedy for eliminating headaches and migraine relief.

11. Cinnamon can also help stablize blood sugar (which is great for weight loss). A couple of dashes in your morning tea or cereal is all it takes!

Now, this said, we are absolutely not advocating you start guzzling the cinnamon – as it has been found to be toxic in large doses. We are, however, wholeheartedly encouraging a little pinch (or stick) here and there in places you might otherwise have overlooked (in your tea or coffee, added to savory dishes, etc.) – if not for your overall health, for its undeniably enchanting aroma and flavor. And while we all have fell victim to the irresistible smells wafting through an otherwise bleak airport experience, this does not make Cinnabon a free for all. We’re just saying.

How to Make Quick Bread in a Bottle

Natural Cures Not Medicine on Facebook: www.facebook.com/naturalcuresnotmedicine
Image: sunset.com

Cool weather puts us in the mood to bake. So why not give a friend a head start? Layer the dry ingredients from step 1 (below) for this easy quick bread into a milk bottle or 1-quart mason jar. To fit, tamp each layer well (with chips and nuts on top). Then all that's left is to add the wet ingredients and bake.

We used craft paper adhered with double-stick tape to cover the original milk bottle graphics and the lid.

Add a label on the back of the bottle for the recipe instructions. The mix keeps for two to three months at room temperature.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Quick Bread

1. In a large bowl, mix the contents of this bottle: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, and 1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips.

2. In a small bowl, beat 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, 2 large eggs, and 1/4 cup melted butter.

3. Stir wet mixture into dry ingredients just until evenly moistened (batter will be lumpy).

4. Scrape into a buttered and floured 9- by 5-inch loaf pan (with a 9-cup capacity), and bake in a 350° oven until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes.

Looking for milk bottles?

We used bottles from milk we bought in an independent food market, which is a good source for milk from small, local dairies. If you don't have access to milk sold that way, or you're planning to make many of the bread gifts, you can use quart-size canning jars.

Source: sunset.com

Zero Calorie Detox Drink


Boost your metabolism naturally with this ZERO CALORIE Detox Drink. Put down the diet sodas and crystal light and try this out for a week. You will drop weight and have TONS ON ENERGY! Sounds yummy!

1 Apple thinly sliced

1 Cinnamon Stick

Drop apple slices in the bottom of the pitcher and then the cinnamon sticks, cover with ice about 1/2 way up then add water.

Source: Raw For Beauty

Top 10 Must Have Herbal Teas For Natural Healing

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When you’re sick, little is more comforting than holding a steaming mug of fragrant tea in both hands, warming your face with the hot steam.  Somehow, no matter how rotten you felt before, you instantly feel just a tiny bit better.
Image: theorganicprepper.ca
Whether you are lucky enough to grow your own tea herbs, you purchase loose teas, or you use tea bags, your cabinet is not complete without the following ingredients.  These teas are delicious and beneficial, with many different healing qualities.  Considering that we most often turn to herbal teas for healing purposes, it’s especially important to purchase or grow organic herbs for this purpose.  If your leaves are bathed in pesticide and then you add them to boiling water, instead of healing goodness, you are steeping toxins.
When making tea for medicinal purposes, be sure to steep the tea in a teapot with a lid, or to cover your mug while the herbs are steeping.  This helps to make a more potent brew by keeping all of the healing oils in the tea, instead of allowing them to drift into the room.  Most herbs should be steeped for about 10 minutes for maximum results.
There are many different herbs from around the world that have wonderful healing properties. I’ve concentrated this list on ones that can either be easily acquired and stored, or ones that can be easily grown in a backyard garden or a sunny window. Just like band-aids, antibiotic cream, or aspirin, these items are vital additions to your pantry, allowing you to dispense a hot, steaming, fragrant cup of nurturing in as little time as it takes you to boil water. Be prepared by keeping the following ingredients close at hand, and be self-sufficient by producing for yourself as many as possible (always the best way to make sure that the items were grown using safe, organic methods).
In no particular order…
1. Mint
mint
Mint tea is the classic herbal tea. Mint is an ingredient in many different commercial tea blends and is much-loved for its refreshing fragrance.
Growing it:
Mint is an herb that doesn’t just grow easily – it can quickly overtake your garden!  For this reason, it is recommended to grow mint in either a container or its own bed. There are many varieties of mint and the healing properties are similar.  Whether you grow peppermint or spearmint, the active component is menthol.
Caution:
If you suffer from acid reflux, mint tea may worsen your symptoms.  Mint has antispasmodic properties
Mint tea can be used to:
  • Reduce congestion in a cold or flu sufferer
  • Reduce pain and bloating from gas
  • Reduce cramping from diarrhea
  • Act as a mild expectorant for a chest cold or bronchitis
  • Induce sweating, the body’s natural cooling mechanism. This is a natural way to reduce a fever
  • Relieve nausea without vomiting
2. Ginger
ginger
This homely root is an ingredient in many natural cough, cold, and nausea treatments.  Instead of giving your child gingerale when they are suffering from an upset stomach (and all of the HFCS and artificial flavors that come in it) brew up a nice cup of ginger tea sweetened with honey for a real dose of soothing ginger!
Growing it:
Ginger is a tropical plant that is apparently not difficult to grow indoors. It requires excellent soil, warmth, humidity, and filtered sunlight.
You can learn how to grow ginger HERE.
Caution:
It’s not recommended to exceed 4 grams of ginger per day – components in the herb can cause irritation of the mouth, heartburn and diarrhea if taken in excess.
Click HERE to find a recipe for a delicious honey-ginger cough syrup that can also be the basis for a night-time hot toddy.
Ginger tea can be used to:
  • Reduce nausea
  • Prevent or treat motion sickness
  • Warm the body of someone suffering from chills
  • Induce sweating to break a fever
  • Soothe a sore throat
3. Chamomile
chamomile
Chamomile tea should be steeped a little longer than other herbal teas in order to get all of the medicinal benefits.  This soothing, slightly apple-flavored tea has mild sedative properties. The petals of the tiny flowers are where the medicinal values lie.
Growing it:
Chamomile is easy to grow from seeds. Start them in the late winter and transfer outdoors when the risk of frost has passed.  Once the plants are well established, chamomile can thrive with little water during hot weather.  When buying your seeds, note that German chamomile is an annual and Roman chamomile is a perennial.
Caution:
Chamomile tea should be avoided by people who take blood thinners.  As well, those who suffer from ragweed allergies may also have an allergic reaction to chamomile, as the two plants are related.
Chamomile tea can be used to:
  • Relieve anxiety
  • Induce sleep
  • Soothe mild nausea and indigestion
  • Relieve a cough from throat irritation
4. Cinnamon
cinnamon
Cinnamon doesn’t just smell like a holiday in a cup, it is anti-bacterial, antiviral, and antifungal, making it an excellent all-around remedy for whatever ails you.  Cinnamon is a wonderful source of immune-boosting antioxidants.
Growing it:
Cinnamon is the fragrant bark of a tropical evergreen tree.  This article from Mother Earth Living says that the trees are surprisingly easy to grow indoors  in large pots.
Try this delicious winter beverage:
  • 1-1/2 tsp of cinnamon powder or a cinnamon stick
  • 1 tea bag
  • honey to taste
  • Milk to taste
Stir cinnamon powder well into boiling water and steep for 8 minutes.  Add a tea bag and steep for 2 more minutes.  Stir in honey and warm milk.
Cinnamon tea can be used to:
  • Increase blood flow and improve circulation
  • Reduce nausea
  • Ease stomach discomfort, bloating, gas and indigestion
  • Warm the body of someone suffering from chills
  • Soothe a sore throat
  • Reduce cold symptoms

5. Lemongrass

lemongrass
Lemongrass is another herb that is loaded with healing properties.  The spiky, easy-to-grow plant has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, and antifungal properties, making it helpful in treating a plethora of ailments.
Growing it:
You can actually root the lemongrass that you buy at the grocery store to start your own patio lemongrass farm. It grows beautifully in a large pot, making it a good herb for the apartment windowsill farmer to cultivate.  It can be grown year-round indoors. Check out this article for more information.
Lemongrass tea can help to:
  • aid in digestion
  • calm nervous disorders and anxiety
  •  aid in the treatment of high blood pressure if a daily cup is enjoyed
  • dilate blood vessels and improve circulation
  • act as a mild diuretic to reduce fluid retention
6. Echinacea
echinacea
This lovely flowering plant is probably the pinnacle of herbal preventatives.  Echinacea is not only anti-bacterial – but it stimulates the body’s immune system to fight off bacterial and viral attacks. The medicinal properties are in the leaves and the purple flowers.
Growing it:
Echinacea is also known as the “purple coneflower”.  The plant has deep taproots and is somewhat drought resistant. It is a perennial. Sow seeds outdoors in the early spring before the last frost. These plants like full sun and they don’t like too much moisture.
Echinacea tea can help to:
  • enhance  the immune system
  • relieve pain
  • reduce inflammation
  • provide antioxidant effects
  • shorten illness time for sufferers of the common cold
7. Rosehips
rosehips
Rosehips make a tart, tangy pink-colored tea.  They are the seed-filled pod at the base of a rose blossom, giving you a practical reason to have more rose bushes in your garden.  It mixes well and enhances the flavor of any berry or fruit-flavored tea.
Rosehip tea can help to:
  • provide a nutritional supplement of Vitamin C
  • improve adrenal function
  • boost the immune system
  • provide minerals such as calcium, iron, silicon, selenium, natural sodium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus and zinc
  • increase energy
  • heal tissues and cells
8. Blackberry leaf
blackberry-leaf__large
Dried blackberry leaves give a luscious fruity flavor when steeped in boiling water.  Not only are they the basis of many delicious teas, they are loaded with a beneficial component called tannins. (Bonus tip: add a blackberry leaf to a jar of pickles when canning – the tannin helps to keep the pickles crisp.)
Caution:
Excess consumption of blackberry leaves (or anything containing tannins) can cause liver damage.
Blackberry leaf tea can help to:
  • provide vitamin C
  • treat diarrhea
  • reduce pain and inflammation from sore throats
  • provide an antibacterial effect against H pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers
  • provide immune-boosting antioxidants
  • provide high levels of salicylic acid, which gives them similar properties to aspirin, such as pain relief and fever relief
  • reduce inflammation of the gums
9. Clove
Cloves
Cloves are a wonderful addition to herbal tea just for the taste.  Not only is the flavor delicious, but cloves have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. The multipurpose little seed packs a mighty punch with its antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Growing it:
Cloves are the dried buds of a flowering evergreen tree that is native to Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar. They are generally imported and, unfortunately, are not easy to cultivate in other climates or greenhouse atmospheres.
Caution:
In high amounts cloves can cause liver damage, blood in the urine, diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness.
Clove tea can help to:
  • provide pain relief – it is a powerful analgesic
  • break up mucous and work as an expectorant
  • provide  a fragrant decongestant in a steaming cup of tea
  • treat strep throat or tonsillitis – it relieves pain and provides a wash of antiviral and antibacterial components
10. Lemon Balm
lemon balm
Lemon balm, also known as Bee Balm, was first recorded to have been used by the ancient Greeks as an overall tonic for good health.  It is an ingredient in the old world Carmelite water, a recipe created by Carmelite nuns in the early 1600s to treat headaches. (The traditional mixture also contained coriander, lemon-peel, nutmeg, and angelica root.)
Growing it:
Lemon balm is easy to grow and produces throughout the summer. The more you harvest, the more it produces.  It is perennial in warmer climates.  Lemon balm like rich moist soil with organic compost and partial shade in the hottest part of the day. It is another one of those herbs that can take over a garden, so plant it in a confined area.
Lemon balm tea can help to:
  • fight off viruses – it was used historically against shingles, mumps, and cold sores
  • calm anxiety and nervousness
  • aid in sleep
  • aid the digestive system by reducing spasms and quelling heartburn
  • reduce nausea
What do you keep in your herbal medicine cabinet?  Why is it an important natural remedy for you? Please share in the comments section below!
Source: theorganicprepper.ca

About the author:
Please feel free to share any information from this site in part or in full, giving credit to the author and including a link to this website and the following bio.
Daisy Luther is a freelance writer and editor.  Her website, The Organic Prepper, offers information on healthy prepping, including premium nutritional choices, general wellness and non-tech solutions. You can follow Daisy on Facebook and Twitter, and you can email her at daisy@theorganicprepper.ca

Heal-All Miracle Smoothie

Natural Cures Not Medicine on Facebook: www.facebook.com/naturalcuresnotmedicine

This smoothie is a great heal-all. It contains ingredients that reduce inflammation, purify and cleanse the skin and liver, naturally boost our energy, improve the functioning of our immune system and help us de-stress. Best of all, it can be quickly made in the morning and super charge you for the rest of the day.




Ingredients:
- 1 cup organic raspberries
- 1 ripe banana
- 2 cups leafy greens of your choice (choose from butter leaf, romaine, kale, baby greens, sprouts, etc.)
- 2 ribs celery
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- water & meat from 1 young thai coconut
- 3-4 inches ginger
- LOVE

Put all ingredients into a high speed blender and pulse blend for 30 seconds. Enjoy!

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Cinnamon & Honey Weight Loss Tip

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A simple recipe claimed to help you lose weight. Many of you may not think of eating honey for weight loss, but honey is a useful food to help you lose weight. Since it is a simple sugar, NOT a refined and processed sugar, it contains vitamins, minerals, nutrients and is good for you.

Honey helps boost and speed up the metabolism which helps the body burn fat.

Honey has a healthier glycemic index (GI) than sugar, therefore it doesn’t cause a sugar rush, but it is gradually and progressively absorbed into our body.

Cinnamon stabilizes blood sugar levels and increases the metabolism of glucose. Since high blood sugar levels can lead to increased storage of fat, cinnamon helps prevent this. Cinnamon improves insulin function. Thus, you lose weight.

The cinnamon and local honey clean parasites, fungus and bacteria in the digestive tract. The honey will also help stabilize blood sugar levels, which result in less food cravings. You will also have a feeling of fullness and satiety.

Ingredients:
1 tbsp of organic local honey
1 tsp of organic cinnamon
To make it simple: One part cinnamon and two parts honey is what is required for this recipe.

Instructions:
Put the cinnamon in a bowl
Boil 1 cup of water
Pour the hot water over the cinnamon
Steep for 15 minutes
-Add honey to the -cooled- liquid
Why add honey to the cooled liquid? – hot liquid will destroy the enzymes in the raw honey.

Action: Drink twice a day: 1/2 cup in the morning and 1/2 cup before going to bed. Take on an empty stomach.
You may experience more energy and better sex drive.

As always consult your health practitioner before starting a new diet.


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Ten Natural Cures For Migraine Headaches

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1. Ice -- One of the oldest domestic remedies for migraine headache is an ice set or frozen compress. This can be positioned on the back of your neckline or on your brow, and you might get moment relief.
2. Coffee -- For quick migraine headache relief tried drinking twain or three cups of powerful coffee at the initial symbol of a migraine. The caffeine causes the blood vessels to shrink, so there is less blood flow to cause a trouble or throbbing in your brain.
3. Cinnamon -- One of the older migraine headache cures is cinnamon. This aromatic spice is mixed with water and made into a paste, which is then rubbed on the brow and back of the neck.
4. Feverfew -- Feverfew is one of the herbal domestic remedies for migraine headaches, and this herb has been in use for centuries and is generally very secure and efficient. Scientific studies have shown this herb can compact the occurrence of migraines when taken daily.
5. Capsaicin -- Capsaicin can work well at treat migraines, even an ocular migraine. There are ointments you can purchase that are applied to the brow and assist relieve the ache of these headaches.
6. A Dark silent Room -- Laying down in a room that is perfectly dark and exceedingly silent might assist eases the ache and other symptoms of a migraine. This can be done with a cool compress on your brow for even better results.
7. Magnesium Supplements -- everyday magnesium supplements are one of the summit domestic remedy for migraine headache. Magnesium has been shown to assist relieve the symptom and minimize the frequency of migraines.
8. Orange Juice -- Orange juice and other foods lofty in vitamin C can assist with menstrual migraine headaches and some other types.
9. Henna -- Henna flowers can be dipped in vinegar and then rubbed directly on your brow. Numerous migraine sufferers have gotten fast relief using this domestic cure, but it does not work well for everyone.
10. Niacin -- Niacin is one of the most often used domestic remedies for migraine headaches. Niacin causes the blood vessels to shrink, and can halt migraine symptoms even after they have begun.

Cinnamon and honey, super healing duo!

Both honey and cinnamon are, by their selves, helpful for natural healing.  Mix the two, and you may have some surprising benefits.


Try making some toast and spreading coconut oil over it, then sprinkle some cinnamon on it, and finally add some honey on top.  You can also make some hot tea and add both raw honey and cinnamon to it.  Cinnamon and honey also can be combined and worn as a mask to help with skin surface problems like pimples and acne.


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Natural tooth ache remedies

Even regular brushers and flossers run into tooth problems.  


Avoiding candy, soda, and refined sugar is a great way to help prevent developing cavities and other oral problems.  Here are a few natural sources of treatment for that annoying tooth ache:

-Cinnamon                                                                                            -Peppermint oil

-Plantain leaves                                                                                   -Oil of oregano

-Echinacea                                                                                           -Guava tree leaves

-Garlic                                                                                                  -Cabbage

-Turmeric                                                                                             -Myrrh

-Oil pulling                                                                                            -Ginger root

-Chamomile                                                                                          -Mango leaves and flowers

-Grapefruit seed extract                                                                      -Olive oil

-Mint oil                                                                                                -Green onion

-Wheatgrass juice                                                                                -Papaya tree bark

-Lavender oil(externally)




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Eating healthy is nature's health insurance


Health benefits of cinnamon!

Taking in cinnamon regularly can really have some significant impacts on your health!
Take cinnamon daily and when you are sick, mix cinnamon and honey in with your hot herbal tea to help shorten the duration of the infection.



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