Long considered a rare, almost mysterious spice, cinnamon has endured through the millennia without losing its allure. This thin, fragrant bark, from the Cinnamomum verum tree, is used in our winter treats, family remedies, and numerous traditional pharmacopoeias.
Its warm, sweet and slightly woody fragrance now belongs to our collective imagination, but behind this familiar scent lies a complex history, made up of distant explorations, botanical secrets and medicinal uses that have marked great civilizations.
The fascinating history of cinnamon, from Egypt to our kitchens
Used for over four thousand years, cinnamon is among the earliest known aromatic plants. Its presence can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where it was used in embalming rituals for its purifying properties. It also appears in the Bible as an ingredient in sacred balm.
A spice that has left its mark on civilizations
Its sweet fragrance was long reserved for the elite. In ancient Greece and Rome, it perfumed balms, oils, and ointments far more than it enhanced dishes. Its rarity, as well as its origin, kept secret by merchants, made it an ostentatious symbol of wealth and power.
The rise of cinnamon in traditional medicine
In the Middle Ages, physicians—from Hildegard of Bingen to Aldebrandin of Siena—already recommended it to soothe coughs, aid digestion, and warm weakened bodies. In the East, it holds a privileged place in Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Tibetan medicine, where it is classified among the "hot" substances, intended to stimulate vital energy and dispel internal cold.
A botanical and cultural treasure
Ceylon cinnamon comes from the cinnamon tree , a tropical tree in the laurel family, cultivated mainly in Sri Lanka. The living part of the bark — the phloem — is harvested from young stems, carefully incised and then stripped of their outer layer.
When drying, the bark naturally curls to form the characteristic sticks, so thin and light that they can be distinguished at a glance from those of Chinese cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) , which is thicker, darker and more robust in taste.
Ceylon cinnamon, also called true cinnamon , is the most sought-after for medicinal use:
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Its aroma is more subtle,
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its milder flavor,
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its significantly lower coumarin content.
Ceylon cinnamon: a digestive and circulatory ally
All medicinal traditions agree on one point: cinnamon is a warming , tonic and digestive plant.
A valuable aid for digestion
Its aromatic properties make it a remarkable aid for:
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indigestion,
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bloating,
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the feeling of heaviness after a large meal,
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mild digestive spasms.
It gently stimulates intestinal motility, reduces fermentation and restores comfort after excesses — which is why it is among the key spices of winter and the holidays.
A stimulating effect on energy and circulation
Warming and refreshing, it revives energy when feeling chilly, stimulates peripheral circulation, and supports weakened bodies. A quality much appreciated during the colder months, when we readily seek hot drinks that are both comforting and invigorating.
Recognized antiviral and antiseptic properties
Rich in cinnamaldehyde, cinnamon has the following effects:
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antibacterial
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antifungal
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antiviral.
It is therefore included in winter herbal teas intended to soothe colds, reduce ENT congestion and support natural defenses.
A balancing effect on blood sugar
Ceylon cinnamon is also noteworthy for its impact on blood sugar regulation. It is beneficial for those seeking metabolic regulation, particularly after heavy meals.
How to use cinnamon in everyday life?
Digestive and comforting infusion
Ideal after a heavy meal or as a preventative measure against colds.
Traditional infusion:
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1 tsp of Ceylon cinnamon pieces
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250 ml of simmering water
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Infuse for 10 minutes covered
Enjoy 2 to 3 times a day, alone or combined with honey, lemon, ginger or thyme.
Christmas Cooking and Treats
It perfumes:
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gingerbread, compotes and biscuits,
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curries and stews,
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festive drinks like mulled wine.
For external use
In essential oil form (bark or leaf version), it is used in the composition of:
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heating gels,
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invigorating massage oils,
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purifying products.
Christmas spice mixes: mulled wine and gingerbread
When winter returns, cinnamon naturally finds its place in our kitchens and seasonal rituals. To celebrate this time of year, we've created two traditional spice blends, all-natural and rich in Ceylon cinnamon.
Mulled wine spice mix : warmth and conviviality
Our blend combines Ceylon cinnamon, cloves, orange zest and warm spices.
It allows you to prepare an aromatic and balanced homemade mulled wine , but also to flavor a hot juice, a cider or a winter infusion.
Gingerbread spice mix : tradition and indulgence
This traditional recipe combines Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and mild spices.
Perfect for making soft gingerbread , it also enhances shortbread, porridge, granola and other seasonal treats.
Precautions and contraindications of cinnamon
Despite its overall safety profile, cinnamon requires certain precautions:
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Not recommended in case of gastric ulcer.
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Avoid intensive use during pregnancy.
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Caution is advised for people undergoing antidiabetic treatment.
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The risk of an allergic reaction is low but possible, especially with external use.
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Cinnamon essential oil is caustic to the skin and should never be applied undiluted . It is also contraindicated for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children.
A historic, digestive and gourmet spice
From ancient pharmacopoeia to our homemade infusions, Ceylon cinnamon embodies a plant at the crossroads of worlds: traditional remedy, gourmet spice, symbol of warmth and conviviality.
It transcends time without losing its magic.
And in winter, when the days get shorter, its warm and enveloping scent reminds us that a simple bark can be enough to comfort the body… and the mind.
Sources:
- The Herb Society of America – Cinnamon
- Marie-Antoinette Mulot , Secrets of a Herbalist: 250 Medicinal Plants , Éditions du Dauphin
- Johannes Gottfried Mayer, Bernhard Uehleke, O. Kilian Saum , The herbs of the Benedictine Fathers: mixtures and treatments (original: Zioła Ojców Benedyktynów, Mieszanki i leczenie ), Świat Książki
- Rosemary Gladstar , Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide (original: Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs, A Beginner's Guide )
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Dr. G. Pamplona-Roger , Encyclopedia of Life and Health: Guide to Medicinal Plants
Under no circumstances should the information and advice offered on the MerveilleNature website be considered a substitute for a consultation or diagnosis made by a doctor or healthcare professional, who are the only ones able to properly assess your state of health.
