Cinnamon

Species: Cinnamomum spcc.

Family: Lauraceae

Related Genera: Laurus, Persea, Sassafras

Names: Cinnamon, Cassia, Zimt

History & Folklore: In classical times four types of Cinnamon have been known: Cassia is the bark of Cinnamomum iners from Arabia and Ethiopia, which literally means 'the peel of the plant'. True Cinnamon (Hebrew qinnamon) is the bark of C. verum (also called C. zeylanicum) from Sri Lanka. Malabathrum or Malobathrum (from Sanskrit tamālapattram, literally "dark-tree leaves") is won from several species including C. tamala from the north of India. Lastly Serichatum from the C. cassia species, native to China. The latter is darker, with a thicker bark and has a stronger flavour than true Cinnamon.

In Exodus 30:23-4, Moses is ordered to use both sweet Cinnamon (Kinnamon) and Cassia together with Myrrh and sweet Calamus to produce a holy oil to anoint the Ark of the Covenant. Cassia is also part of the Ketoret, the consecrated incense described in the Hebrew Bible and Talmud. Psalm 45:8 mentions the garments of the king smelling of Myrrh, Aloes and Cassia. Egyptians and Greeks too used Cinnamon in temple incense.

Along with gold, rubies and others, Cinnemon bark was part of the goods traded along the Northern Silk Road.

According to Herodotus, both Cinnamon and Cassia grow in Arabia, guarded by winged serpents. In order to gather the precious Cinnamon, sacrifices had to be brought to the phoenix that built its nest from it and the bark had to be collected quickly before the bird returned. The phoenix, a mythological creature symbolizing rebirth, is commonly associated with the sun and the element of fire, just like the Cinnamon it was believed to guard.

Common Uses: Cinnamon is widely used for flavoring in baking, wine, stews, tea etc.

Medicinal & Toxicological: In healing Cinnamon is traditionally applied for its warming, diuretic, digestive properties, e.g. in ayurvedic medicine it is mixed with Cardamom and Bay Laurel and used internally for digestion or in incense for healing respiratory diseases. The leaves of C. verum contain eugenol, which has shown antiviral properties in vitro. Extracts of Cinnamon bark may also have anti-carcinogenig properties, help prevent Alzheimer disease and have proven useful in blood sugar regulation in type 2 diabetes patients.

Not all Cinnamon species contain all or any of the healing agents, e.g. eugenol is not contained in C. burmannii (Indonesian Cinnamon), which is the cheapest and most widely sold Cinnamon on the market and contains significantly less essential oils and is not as aromatic.

C. cassia contains also coumarine, which has toxic effets on liver and kidney and should be consumed only in small amounts.

Sources: "Räucherstoffe, Der Atem des Drachen" by Christian Rätsch (ISBN-13 978-3038003021), Wikipedia English, Wikipedia German, Alchemy Works