Cinnamon is incredibly versatile and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. On the savory side, try it in stews , chili and even omelets. And of course, the spice is amazing in cinnamon rolls , cookies , banana bread and other baked goods. Also, cinnamon can help enhance the natural sweetness of foods, making things taste like they have more sugar than they actually do, which is smart for anyone who is trying to cut back on added sugars.
For example, sprinkling cinnamon over your morning bowl of oatmeal or swirling it into plain yogurt can make those foods taste more sweet.
IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Share this —. Follow today. More Brands. Food Stock up for winter with these immune-boosting foods and pantry staples. But the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says the research into these claims is inconclusive. The center recommends adding garlic to foods but warns that it can increase the risk of bleeding in those on warfarin or needing surgery and can interfere with some drugs, including one that treats HIV.
It takes 75, saffron blossoms to produce one pound of saffron, making it one of the world's most expensive spices. Studies have shown that it may help with depression, menstrual discomfort, and possibly Alzheimer's, but research is inconclusive for a positive impact on erectile dysfunction, asthma, cancer and many other conditions.
Use in food is considered safe, but when taken medicinally, large doses may be toxic. Even smaller doses could cause miscarriage and heart and blood pressure issues. Sage is a potent herb often used in stuffing and butters. Studies have shown that it may be helpful for memory, cholesterol and menopausal symptoms if taken by mouth. In one study, a mixture of sage and rhubarb on cold sores was nearly as effective as the antiviral medication acyclovir.
Evidence is sparse for the use of sage for cancer, asthma and stomach pain. Use in food is considered safe, but supplements are not advised during pregnancy or if you have seizures, high or low blood pressure or a hormone-sensitive cancer such as breast or ovarian cancer. Holy basil, sometimes known as hot basil, is revered by Hindus and used in Ayurvedic medicine as a way to counter life's stresses. Studies have shown that chemicals in the herb may decrease blood sugar, reduce anxiety and depression, lessen stress and improve sleep, while its high antioxidant properties have researchers looking into the impact of holy basil oil on certain cancers.
Avoid the herb when pregnant, when breast-feeding or two weeks before any surgery: It has anti-blood-clotting effects, and its use during pregnancy has not been studied. Look beyond the sweet taste of this powerful spice: Nutmeg, used unwisely, can poison you. It's been used over the centuries as a psychedelic, to stimulate menstruation and induce abortions, and to fight infections, including the Black Plague.
Its popularity as a poor man's hallucinogen -- it takes only two tablespoons to have effects -- became legend when Malcolm X wrote about using it in prison. Poison control centers see teenagers get into trouble trying it out; in addition to an uncomfortable high, they suffer abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, an unsteady heart rate and and severe confusion. Leon Gussow wrote in Emergency Medicine News that "Many individuals who take nutmeg once as an available, inexpensive high vow never to do it again.
Eating the flowers, leaves and oil of the herb thyme, either alone or in conjunction with other herbs, may have some benefit for symptoms of colds and bronchitis, especially coughs. But research into other uses, such as agitation, hair loss and movement disorders, is still inconclusive. Use in food is considered safe, but the use of supplements is not advised before surgery or if you have a bleeding disorder or a hormone-sensitive cancer such as breast or ovarian cancer. Oregano, a frequent player in Italian food, seems to contain chemicals that may reduce coughs, spasms and digestive issues, including killing some parasites in the intestines.
There's insufficient evidence for other uses, such as for wound healing, asthma, arthritis and heart conditions. Stay away from medicinal uses during pregnancy, as it has not been studied, and before surgery, as it might increase the risk of bleeding.
Story highlights Cinnamon is being studied for its antibacterial and antioxidant properties Some of the most promising research is on blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes Experts caution that it's too early in the scientific process to support use as a supplement. Harvested from the inner bark of a tropical evergreen plant, cinnamon has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat respiratory and digestive problems for centuries. Ancient Egyptians used cinnamon as a perfume during the embalming process, while Romans used it in funeral pyres to mask the stench of burning flesh.
The Bible mentions cinnamon several times, most commonly as a way to perfume bedding, clothes and anointing oil. The essential oil form is made from the bark, leaves or twigs of the plant.
But it's cinnamon's use as a medicinal agent that has scientists buzzing, trying to determine just how well its antioxidant capabilities might work to better our health. Read More. Not all cinnamon is created equal. There are two basic types of cinnamon. However, a small amount used at breakfast or in baking will not do any harm, and can be eaten as part of a balanced diet. Cinnamon extract has been used to alleviate gastrointestinal problems in both Eastern and Western medicine for years.
It has been described as a carminative, renowned for its digestive, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, cinnamon bark oil is used for treating flatulence and digestive imbalance.
It is believed that the warmth of cinnamon increases blood flow and improves blood oxygen levels to help fight off illness. To alleviate digestive symptoms, cinnamon is taken as part of a hot drink much like a tea. Cinnamon needs to be kept in an airtight container in a dark place.
Whole cinnamon lasts for about a year, but cinnamon that has been ground will start to lose flavour after a few months. Check out more of our cinnamon recipes. This article was updated on 13th September by Kerry Torrens.
Kerry Torrens BSc. Over the last 15 years she has been a contributing author to a number of nutritional and cookery publications including BBC Good Food. Jo Lewin is a registered nutritionist RNutr with the Association for Nutrition with a specialism in public health.
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