Kitchen Herbs: Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the most useful culinary herbs for warming and stimulating the Yang. It is used to improve circulation, dispel Cold and relieve chills and also to strengthen the Qi in cases of exhaustion and debility.
It can be used regularly by those with poor circulation, cold hands and feet and weakness or fatigue. By strengthening the Yang it improves weak digestive systems and clear Dampness, and can help to treat frequent urination, loose stools and lack of libido.
A tea made by boiling a cinnamon stick in water, taken hot will promote sweating and help to prevent or ward off a cold.
It also helps to enhance the effect of other Qi and Blood tonifying herbs or ingreidients when they are used together. Thus, cinnamon is often added to traditional tonic herbal formulas.
Use cinnamon in cooking to benefit from its strengthening and warming qualities. Porridge with a little cinnamon is a warming, strengthening way to start a winter morning. It has the effect of strengthening both the Blood and Qi.
CAUTION: Cinnamon should be avoided by Hot natured people (hot hands and feet, red cheeks, etc) and during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
