Comments on: Kitchen spices: cinnamon.

By: crabappleherbs

crabappleherbs — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:24:30 +0000

I’m sorry the comments were closed on this post when I put it up — that was completely an accident. Comment away!

By: jim mcdonald

jim mcdonald — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:51:00 +0000

cinnamon excels as a stimulating diaphoretic, and is specific for when there is poor peripheral circulation, but the afflicted is either sweating profusely or has diarrhea, and is becoming dehydrated. So, its an example of a diaphoretic that checks perspiration, rather than promoting it. This action isn’t inhibitory; rather, it helps to prevent dehydration resultant from weakness in the periphery. Diaphoretics don’t, as is often stated, work by stimulating sweating, but rather by controlling ventilation via directing circulation and regulating/correcting tension or weakness in the periphery.

By: crabappleherbs

crabappleherbs — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:49:01 +0000

Yes, jim, spread the diaphoretic gospel! (Do you know that at the Northeast Herbal Convergence last fall we were using the term “jim mcdonald diaphoretic”?)

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 23:21:04 +0000

Our family’s “secret” recipe for ragu for our pasta or gnocchi includes cinnamon. We are from the region of Friuli in northeastern Italy where the Venetian spice trade allowed access to many exotic spices. It was said that cinnamon was used to cover up the off taste of meat that was a bit too “ripe.” But, now, it is just part of the flavor.

By: crabappleherbs

crabappleherbs — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:59:04 +0000

Kevin, cinnamon is really wonderful in tomato sauces — I generally use a little bit just to add richness, not enough so that people say “this tastes like cinnamon.” On the other hand, it’s also good in larger amounts sometimes. Here’s a great North African tomato sauce:

tomatoes, canned or fresh
a few raisins, plumped in hot water
a few cloves of garlic
cinnamon
salt

Blend everything in a blender and simmer until thick.

By: jim mcdonald

jim mcdonald — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:58:37 +0000

> (Do you know that at the Northeast Herbal Convergence last fall we were using
> the term “jim mcdonald diaphoretic”?)

heh… nice. Its amazing how one’s online rants and blatherings get around…

By: crabappleherbs

crabappleherbs — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:12:36 +0000

Yes, indeed. It was mainly me, Guido and Robin Rose. But the whole room caught on, eventually. You’re famous!

By: Riana

Riana — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:49:44 +0000

this is a wonderful post, i adore cinnamon and i tend to get cold hands and feet so my body must be telling me to eat something with cinnamon in it. in fact, i was planning on making cinnamon rolls for this weekend. i already found the recipe that i want to use, how is that for kismet?

By: crabappleherbs

crabappleherbs — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:57:09 +0000

Thanks, Riana!

I’ve been making a morning tea from cinnamon and other spices whisked into hot water — so quick, and so pleasant…

By: Celia

Celia — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:12:40 +0000

Ah! Cinnamon! Great post. Where would I be without it. I love it, crave it even, in practically any root teas and on oatmeal. An acupuncturist/herbalist in Minneapolis mixes it very well in a kidney yin/libido leaf tea, with damiana and ginger. Great for those achy, cold and stiff lower backs some of us get in the dead of winter.

By: crabappleherbs

crabappleherbs — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:35:43 +0000

Thanks, Celia!

My favorite mix (today anyway) is cinnamon, ashwagandha, ginger, and cardamom — for people who are cold and depleted to the point of anxiety and insomnia.

By: Michelle P

Michelle P — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:39:14 +0000

I introduced a friend to this site yesterday.
She is recovering from colon cancer: surgery & treatments.
Doctors have not helped her w/ a post treatment plan besides all
the meds she is on. We searched around for colon healing foods.
I printed out the flax seed tea page for her.
She has flax & cinnamon in her kitchen & even w/limited energy
will be able to make herself a cup of tea.
Some herbal remedies as this are very simple while at the empowering for
a recovering person, giving them the opportunity to be part of their own
healing plan.