January brings colder weather, more cases of colds and flu and our winter migration indoors to warm up by a roaring fire. Cinnamon is one spice that we associate with these colder winter days. It fills our homes with such a nice, cozy smell.

History

Most think of cinnamon as a spice, even though it really is an aromatic, sweet, pungent herb. Cinnamon, or cinnamomum zeylanicum, is a native of Sri Lanka and thrives in tropical climates. The tree prefers sandy soils, a lot of rain and a sheltered position. It was originally grown in Southern Asia and used as to treat diarrhea and fever long before it was ever used as a culinary spice.

Culinary and medicinal uses

I think of Cinnamon this time of year as I crave cinnamon sticks in hot, spiced apple cider, mulled wine and chai tea.

Cinnamon is not only used in cooking and baking, but it’s also quite medicinal. Acting as a stimulant, cinnamon warms the organs to treat diarrhea, cramps, heart and abdominal pains, coughing, wheezing and lower back pain. Being an excellent carminative (as many of the aromatic herbs are — the ones we use as spices), cinnamon helps to relieve nausea and vomiting (due to the chemical constituents called catechins) and flatulence. One delicious way to prepare cinnamon is simmering it in milk with a bit of honey and then using it for indigestion, gas and diarrhea.

The dried bark of cinnamon is used to stimulate circulation so it’s an effective tea for the common cold. Its wonderful taste and action as an effective catalyst for other herbs makes it quite useful in formula tea blends. The essential oil of cinnamon can be used as a chest rub and as an abdominal massage for babies with colic. For the gardeners out there, cinnamon essential oil is great for treating fungal disease on plants as it contains antifungal and antibacterial properties. Just mix a few drops of the essential oil in water, along with some orange oil, and spray the mixture on the affected parts of the plant.

Cinnamon zeylanicum is generally considered to have a somewhat stronger medicinal action than it’s close relative, cinnamomun cassia, although most species maintain similar properties.

Not only sweet, aromatic, delicious and great on toast, but good quality sticks of organically grown cinnamon can be brewed up as a tea, by itself, or mixed with other herbs when needed for colds, fever, indigestion or nausea.

May all of you be blessed with a joyous, healthy, peaceful and prosperous new year!

Ellen Zimmerman, M.A. and owner of EZ Herbs and the Austin School of Herbal Studies, is a certified herbalist, teacher and speaker on the many uses of herbs. She offers herbal classes, herbal consultations and creates a full line of handmade herbal products. You can visit her online at www.ezherbs.net or call her at (512) 301-5838 for class registration or to schedule a personal consultation.