Cinnamon useful properties and contraindications

Cinnamon( cinnamon Chinese and Ceylon)( Cinnamomum cassia Blume - Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Blume)

The cinnamon tree of the laurel family is a small evergreen tree( or shrub) with leathery leaves. The bark has a rusty color and has a strong specific odor. The bark is stripped from two-year-old wood, dried, cleaned of the epidermis. Ready cinnamon has the form of chopsticks or powder. In Greek, cinnamon stands for "flawless spice."The native land of cinnamon tree is Southeast Asia. Since ancient times, there are two kinds of cinnamon: Chinese and Ceylon. Chinese cinnamon was known as early as the 27th century BC and was highly valued. After the conquest of Ceylon by the Gali, the best quality Ceylon cinnamon began to supplant the Chinese cinnamon, and in the middle of the 16th century it was much more expensive than the Chinese one. The high cost of this spice was determined by the fact that the bark was harvested from wild trees. In 1765 the first cultural plantations appeared in Ceylon and gradually began to satisfy the needs of almost all countries in this spice.

Cinnamon cinnamon reaches a height of 6-12 m. Cinnamon contains a lot of fiber, tannins, gum, resin, pectin, furfural, a small amount of fat and 2-3.5% essential oil consisting of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol.

In many countries it is used for preserving, pickling and pickling mushrooms, watermelons, tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables, as well as berries and fruits. It is a part of a variety of spicy mixtures. Ground cinnamon is put in bakery products, cookies, puddings, cakes, gingerbreads, sweet pies with fruit filling, crackers sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, muffins, kissels, compotes, jams, syrups, ice cream, mousses, jellies, jams, jams, sweetrice dishes, various kinds of fruit sauces and salads, dishes from cottage cheese. It gives a piquant taste to yogurt, varenets, kefir, milk and sweet soups, cereal, fritters, etc.

Useful properties

Cinnamon stimulates appetite, reduces increased intestinal peristalsis, reduces the formation of gases, relieves pain in the stomach and intestines. Cinnamon is taken with diarrhea and dyspepsia, especially with increased acidity of gastric juice. This spice is an excellent hemostatic and is prescribed for internal bleeding. Cinnamon has antibacterial and antiviral effects. Anyone who regularly uses this spice, does not suffer from colds, does not tremble in the cold and usually feels vigorous and energetic. Cinnamon is a part of the ancient Russian drink - sbiten, which is usually served with honey. A cinnamon drink with a piece of golden root, a star of badjan, a root of ginger and a carnation bud removes mental fatigue. Cinnamon, moreover, contributes to the normalization of metabolism, but it should be used in small doses-no more than one pinch per serving.

Peculiar, strong flavor of cinnamon and spicy sweetish-bitter taste provide wide application of this spice in cooking. As a spice can be combined with ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, orange and lemon zest, anise. Cinnamon is added to the grog, punch, mulled wine, coffee and cocoa. Add it to the dough products: pies, biscuits, apple strudel. Cinnamon is a good seasoning for fruit dishes, especially from apples, to whipped cream, ice cream, cottage cheese.

Less known is the use of ground cinnamon to a bird-goose, duck, mixed with other spices for chicken cooked in a grill. A small amount of it can be added to ham, cutlets, schnitzels before roasting. Gourmets add a small amount of cinnamon to boiled fish, beef and pork. Very widely use it in national cuisines.

Pancakes apple-caramel

Apple peel and peel the apple, finely chop or grate on a large plastic grater, put in a bowl, pour water and put it on low heat for 8 minutes.

Add the lemon juice, sugar, zest. Cook for another 4-5 minutes on high heat, stirring every 2 minutes, or 10 minutes on low heat, until the mixture becomes caramel. In a mixer for 3-4 minutes, whip the milk with flour, butter and cinnamon. Add the baking powder and the cooled apple blend. Continue to beat for 2-3 minutes until smooth.

Preheat the pancake, put 2 tbsp in each cavity.l.cooked dough. Bake for 1-2 minutes, then turn over, sprinkle with sugar and after 1 minute, turn again for 20-30 seconds to allow the sugar to melt. Serve with whipped cream or butter.

Contraindications

For the human body, cinnamon does not harm. The only thing you should pay attention to is the dosage. Cinnamon is useful if you use it in limited quantities. Do not eat it with tablespoons. But, despite its unconditional benefit, cinnamon can cause and harm health, if it is abused. This spice can be very toxic and even trigger an attack of allergy, so do not take it too much. Remember that a sense of proportion is the greatest feeling. ..
It should not be forgotten that the use of spices, seasonings in unlimited quantities is fraught with serious consequences. An example is the reduction in blood pressure. And if a small pinch of cinnamon strengthens the visual processes, promotes good brain function, then an excessively large dose can cause a general decline in strength, a state of depression and a severe headache.

Half a teaspoon a day should only go for the benefit, though not all cinnamon and not all.
Cinnamon is contraindicated in pregnancy, since it can cause uterine contractions.

It's worth mentioning one more thing. In cinnamon contains a harmful substance called coumarin. But in the highest quality, Ceylon cinnamon, it is very small, 100 times less than in cassia( Chinese cinnamon).In high doses coumarin harms the liver, can cause headaches and hepatitis.

Use of cinnamon is contraindicated in case of increased blood pressure, high body temperature, increased nervous excitability, in old age, and also in case of individual intolerance.