Plant history

Native to Ceylon (Sri Lanka), true cinnamon, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, dates back in Chinese writings to 2800 B.C. and is still known as kwai in the Cantonese language today. Its botanical name derives from the Hebraic and Arabic term amomon, meaning fragrant spice plant. Ancient Egyptians used cinnamon in their embalming process. From their word for cannon, Italians called it canella, meaning "little tube," which aptly describes cinnamon sticks.

It has been used as an ingredient throughout history, dating back as far as Ancient Egypt. It used to be rare and valuable and was regarded as a gift fit for kings.In the first century A.D., Pliny the Elder wrote off 350 grams of cinnamon as being equal in value to over five kilograms of silver, about fifteen times the value of silver per weight.

 Plant Identification

• Origin: Sri Lanka
• Growth: The cinnamon tree grows in moist well-drained soils and rarely reaches more than 15 metres (49 feet) in height.
• Plant family: Lauraceae
• Scent: Spicy and sweet
• Colour: Golden yellow, tan
• Harvesting: Cut down a section of the cinnamon tree and remove the outermost layer of bark. Use a paint scraper to scrape off the cinnamon layer in sheets, and then let the cinnamon dry in a warm environment. You can either grind the cinnamon into a powder or use it in its curled-up form.
  
• Endangered: Not endangered.

Benefits

Spiritual

Cinnamon is ruled by the Sun and Mars. Cinnamon can be used to consecrate your spaces or magical tools. Just use a couple of drops of oil in a diffuser to cleanse your spaces or anoint each tool with oil to cleanse it. Burn cinnamon to stimulate your spiritual powers and increase your psychic ability and awareness.

Cinnamon invokes lust and is considered an aphrodisiac. It can be used in love spells as well as for sex magic. Use it to protect your home and yourself from negative energies. Cinnamon can help to speed up the other spells you’ve cast. Anoint your wallet with cinnamon oil or carry a cinnamon stick to draw money to you. It can be used in spells relating to success and can bring you luck. It is also great when used in healing spells.

• Cinnamon is connected to the element of fire.
• Associated with the zodiac sign Aries.

Medicinal

Cinnamon has many wonderful attributes for medicinal purposes as its well known for anti-inflammatory purposes. It contains antioxidants and prebiotic properties which is known to improve gut and dental health. Due to the anti-inflammatory benefits, cinnamon is a great plant for menstrual pain, nausea and vomiting. Cinnamon is connected to the root and sacral chakra, if you are working with sacred energy, work with this beautiful sacred plant.

Blood sugar, diabetes, heart disease and blood pressure, due to its properties it has shown to reduce symptoms. Studies suggest that powdered cinnamon and cinnamon tea can both be helpful when trying to reduce these dis-eases. Consume cinnamon with moderation. You can create home remedies or anti-bacterial products with cinnamon as a holistic and life style alternatives, as  cinnamon also has anti-fungal and bacterial benefits.