Cinnamon tea is a drink prepared with the addition of a spice - the bark of an evergreen tree of the Cinnamon genus. The plant was first discovered in Sri Lanka and South India; today it is grown in all countries of the tropical zone. Raw materials are also supplied outside the tree cultivation areas.
Cinnamon began to be added to drinks due to its pronounced aroma. In the Middle Ages, spiced tea was considered the privilege of nobles. Until the end of the 15th century, the origin of cinnamon was shrouded in mystery, and magical properties were attributed to it.
This is how the cinnamon tree grows
Cinnamon leaves
Cinnamon tree trunks
Young cinnamon leaves
Leaves, inflorescences, fruits and bark of the cinnamon tree, from which cinnamon is obtained
Cinnamon seeds
In addition to the original aroma and taste, people noted the healing qualities of the spice. The information presented below will help you understand the benefits of cinnamon tea, whether it can cause harm to health, recipes for preparation and use for various pathologies.
Beneficial features
Thanks to the spice, the drink is saturated with vitamins, antioxidants, micro and macroelements. The strength of the product’s effect on a person depends on the concentration of the spice and the presence of additional components.
Benefits of cinnamon tea:
- Reduces blood sugar levels and increases insulin sensitivity.
- Prevents fat deposition in tissues.
- Accelerates the removal of toxins and waste.
- Improves brain activity.
- Prevents the formation of blood clots.
- Promotes the release of harmful cholesterol from the body.
- Resists inflammatory processes.
- Increases immunity.
- Normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Restores liver functions.
- Neutralizes the effects of free radicals.
- Prevents the development of insomnia and neuroses.
- Accelerates the flow of bile.
- Activates the removal of excess fluid.
This is how cinnamon is made
Collection of raw materials for the production of Ceylon cinnamon
Processing cinnamon tree bark
This is how you roll cinnamon sticks
Farmer transporting raw materials for cinnamon production (Indonesia)
Processing of cinnamon bark in Indonesia
Drying cinnamon tree bark
Collection of raw materials for cinnamon in Sri Lanka
Dry cinnamon leaves
Cinnamon tree bark processing (Sri Lanka)
Ceylon cinnamon production in Sri Lanka
Cinnamon raw materials collected in Laos
Collection and processing of cinnamon in Vietnam
Features of the impact on women and men
The benefits of cinnamon tea for women are as follows:
- Normalization of the menstrual cycle. The drink saturates the body with compounds necessary for the production of sex hormones. Regular consumption of cinnamon tea prevents pain during menstruation and irritability.
- Eliminating the risk of developing osteoporosis during menopause. The drink contains manganese, which prevents the destruction of bone tissue.
- Increased sex drive. Tea acts as an aphrodisiac on women.
Beneficial properties of the drink for men:
- Prevention of the development of prostatitis. The product helps improve blood circulation in the pelvic area and prevents the development of inflammation that causes pathology.
- Increased potency. Tea helps cope with tension, restore strength, accelerate testosterone production, and improve erections.
Which is better - cinnamon sticks or cinnamon powder?
The straws collected in India have the most pronounced taste. They cost 100-200 rubles. for a few pieces, they have a pleasant aroma, a chocolate tint and a sweetish taste with a slight pungency.
The most commonly used powder is Chinese cinnamon, called cassia. When crushed, Indian spice is difficult to distinguish from cassia, so it is recommended to buy tubes.
It is preferable to purchase Ceylon cinnamon bark in the form of sticks rather than powder, because they are stored longer without losing their aromatic and taste qualities and beneficial properties. Ground cinnamon loses them over time, becoming simply an additive to dishes.
Contraindications, possible harm
Contraindications for use are individual intolerance to the active ingredients and allergies to spices. A safe daily dose is 3-4 cups. If the norm increases, the body may exceed the permissible concentration of coumarin contained in the drink. Consequences:
- Changes in blood pressure. Tea provokes a decrease in indicators, but at the same time stimulates the acceleration of blood circulation, which leads to an increase in blood pressure.
- Liver dysfunction.
- Deterioration of blood clotting.
Harm from the product may occur when:
- Rising temperature. Cinnamon tea can increase the heat.
- The presence of extensive wounds, internal bleeding. The drink can prolong the healing period.
- Exacerbation of stomach ulcers. The spicy product stimulates the production of digestive juices, which irritate damaged mucous membranes.
Benefits of drinking cinnamon tea
The drink contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, fiber and organic acids.
Beneficial properties of tea with added spice:
- normalizes glucose levels, preventing diabetes;
- improves the functions of the heart muscle, ensures the prevention of myocardial infarction;
- accelerates metabolic processes;
- cleanses the blood of toxins and toxic substances;
- normalizes the functioning of the digestive system;
- has a positive effect on the mucous membranes of the stomach;
- lowers blood pressure, helping with hypertension.
Cinnamon sticks contain antioxidants that prolong youth. To maintain the beauty of your skin, it is recommended to drink green tea with cinnamon.
Vitamin C in the composition strengthens the immune system, organic acids neutralize the effects of free radicals. The spice is also rich in B vitamins, which are involved in the production of antiviral peptides.
Tea with added spice is useful for colds: it improves well-being and prevents the proliferation of microorganisms that cause viral and infectious pathologies.
Green tea with cinnamon for weight loss will be useful for those who want to lose excess weight.
Cinnamon tea is used in folk medicine. It treats neuroses, increases physical and mental activity, and prevents multiple sclerosis. Cinnamon heals the gastrointestinal tract and improves digestive processes.
Tea with aromatic cinnamon will warm you up in cold weather.
Pregnant and lactating
In the early stages of pregnancy, drinking cinnamon tea is not recommended. The substances it contains can cause uterine contractions and miscarriage. From the second trimester, the drink can be taken if there are no complications. Tea helps a pregnant woman resist seasonal diseases, get rid of stress, swelling, and anemia.
Cinnamon product is undesirable after 35 weeks. During this period, the risk of premature birth is increased. You can return to drinking tea 3 months after the baby is born, since the risk of uterine bleeding and the risk of allergies in the baby are reduced. Pregnant and lactating women are allowed to drink 1 cup of cinnamon drink per day.
Is it possible for children
It is recommended to give cinnamon tea to children after 2 years of age. At an early age, it is possible to develop an adverse reaction to the product, since it is difficult to calculate a safe dosage. For older kids, the drink helps:
- speed up the assimilation of new information;
- prevent the development of complications due to colds;
- improve vision;
- prevent obesity;
- reduce the impact of toxic substances in case of poisoning;
- strengthen bones and tooth enamel.
When introducing a drink into a child’s diet, the following principles should be adhered to:
- at the first dose, give the child no more than 1 tablespoon;
- monitor the reaction for 24 hours;
- in the absence of signs of allergy, increase the dose to 50 ml once a day;
- gradually increase the rate to 200 ml per day;
- divide the daily dose into 2-3 doses.
Recommendations from nutritionists for losing weight
Cinnamon tea is rich in vitamin K, which helps dissolve fat. It accelerates weight loss and prevents the re-gain of extra pounds. The drink reduces appetite, saturates the body with vitamins and minerals, accelerates the removal of toxins, and prevents the accumulation of cholesterol.
For weight loss, it is recommended to use a cinnamon drink based on green tea. You need to take 3-4 cups. Ginger and lemon will help speed up the process.
During a diet, you should not add sweeteners to the product, they will increase its calorie content. For example, 100 ml of green tea with cinnamon contains 2.7–3.5 kcal, and a drink with honey contains 33 kcal. Spice with coffee is harmful when losing weight. The combination leads to increased appetite and accelerated removal of nutrients from the body.
Cinnamon tea for weight loss. Recipe, reviews
How much do they save by drinking this drink? One of the effective teas for weight loss is an infusion with the addition of bay leaf. This plant, like cinnamon, is an excellent antioxidant. And when paired, they work much better, having a positive effect on the digestive system.
To prepare it we take:
- liter of water;
- one cinnamon stick;
- 5 bay leaves.
Preparing such a drink will not be difficult. Pour both ingredients with water, bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Then remove and leave to infuse. You can do this in a thermos, so it will stay warm longer. If desired, you can add honey or sugar. But considering that we are preparing a drink for weight loss, it is better to do without sweeteners. Take no more than one cup per day in the morning on an empty stomach.
This tea, or rather tincture, will improve the digestive process and speed up metabolism.
Judging by the reviews of women who drank this drink while losing weight, in a short period (from two to four weeks) they lost from 5 to 7 centimeters in their waist.
In what form is cinnamon used for tea?
To obtain a medicinal drink, use:
- Whole spice sticks. They resemble light brown tubes. They can be purchased at retail outlets that sell spices. There is Chinese, Ceylon, and Malabar cinnamon. They differ in appearance and flavor as they are made from different types of cinnamon. The most useful is Ceylon. This product is considered real, others are considered cheaper substitutes.
- Ground cinnamon. The product is packaged in small bags or sold by weight. It is better to purchase the spice at points where it is ground in front of the buyer. Shelf life: 6 months. A high-quality spice has a strong aroma, is crumbly, and yellow-brown in color.
- Ready-made tea with cinnamon additive. The advantage of the product is that the raw materials are packaged in bags, so it is convenient to brew the drink. The downside is the inability to check the quality of spices and other additives. In stores you can find the following types: “Cinnamon and Cloves” from “Azerchay”, Greenfield “Christmas Mystery” with the aroma of orange and lemon, pieces of dried apple, Lipton “Cinnamon and Vanilla”. The spice is combined with black and green tea and other herbs.
When purchasing packaged products that are difficult to see and smell, you should give preference to those produced in Sri Lanka, India, and Laos. You can also count on quality products from brands from the UK, France, and Holland. States have been selling cinnamon since the appearance of the spice in Europe and have strong ties with suppliers of real thin bark, so they traditionally purchase original raw materials.
Spicy drinks from the USA, Germany and Israel should be avoided. They do not have their own cinnamon plantations, and importing the product from Laos, Sri Lanka and India is not profitable. Spice producers use a cheaper substitute - cassia from China.
How to Select and Grind a Cinnamon Stick
This product retains its beneficial properties and aroma longer than ground - up to 12 months. Chinese raw materials (cassia) are often sold under the guise of Ceylonese. It is less aromatic and contains more coumarins, so the list of contraindications for its use is wider, and the permissible daily dose is lower.
You need to look at the appearance of the stick:
- The Ceylon product is yellow-brown in color. Cassia is red-brown with brown spots (see photo).
- Real cinnamon looks like a tube rolled out of thin paper. The thickness of the bark should be no more than 1 mm. The Chinese equivalent looks rough. The layer of the tube reaches more than 2 mm.
- Ceylon cinnamon is brittle. Cassia is difficult to cut into pieces without a knife.
- First, dry the product for a few seconds in a heated frying pan. This brings out the cinnamon flavor better.
- Place the stick in a tight bag and roll it several times with a rolling pin.
- Pour the resulting pieces into a coffee grinder or blender and grind to a powder.
Classic brewing recipes
Depending on the type of cinnamon you choose, you can use the following recipes:
- With a whole stick. Heat the water to 60–70 degrees. Pour 0.5 teaspoon of tea into a container, put in a spicy tube, pour in 250 ml of liquid, leave for 5 minutes.
- From ground spices. Take 200 ml of brewed tea, heated to 70 degrees. Add 0.5 teaspoon of powder and leave for 10 minutes.
- In bags. For 200 ml of drink, take 1 sachet. We use water no higher than 80 degrees. The duration of infusion depends on the components. If the bag contains only black or green tea and cinnamon, you can brew for up to 10 minutes.
Milk is also used instead of water. Lovers of sweet drinks add sugar or sugar substitutes. You can find videos with other recipes online.
What supplements does it go well with?
- Ginger, honey. Improves the ability of spices to speed up metabolism and intestinal function.
- Lemon, orange. Citrus fruits increase the amount of vitamin C in the drink; this combination is effective in fighting colds.
- Rose hip. Enhances the immunostimulating and beneficial properties of cinnamon in tea.
- Cardamom. Used to accelerate the reduction of cholesterol levels and treat gastrointestinal diseases.
- Bay leaf. Complements the anti-inflammatory effect of the spicy drink. Tea with this component helps with renal colic and diseases of the urinary system.
- Mint. Enhances the tonic effect of cinnamon product.
You can brew drinks with additional ingredients using the classic method or refuse to use black and green tea leaves. The exception is a recipe using cardamom.
Features of the benefits of tea with cloves and cinnamon
The combination of spices gives the drink antiparasitic properties. When consumed, the removal of helminths and their metabolic products that poison the body is activated.
Other features:
- Tea has a pronounced warming effect, helps fight hypothermia, and prevent colds.
- Clove-cinnamon drink relieves toothache, eliminates inflammation in the oral cavity, and freshens breath.
- Combining spices helps relieve flatulence and diarrhea.
Orange tea with cinnamon for weight loss. Recipe, reviews
The drink acts as a good cleanser and a storehouse of vitamin C.
In order to prepare this tea, we will need:
- one teaspoon of orange zest or dried orange peel powder;
- the same amount of cinnamon;
- one spoon of green tea, you can also use black, but since we are preparing tea for cleansing purposes, it is better to take the first one;
- liter of water.
Mix all the ingredients and boil the water separately. Next, pour boiling water over everything and leave for about one hour.
You need to drink in small portions throughout the day between meals. According to reviews, this drink is tasty, healthy, and effective.
Chemical composition
Cinnamon tea contains:
- nonessential and essential amino acids;
- phytosterols;
- glucose;
- fructose;
- coumarins;
- macro and microelements (potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, chlorine, sulfur, iron, fluorine, copper, selenium, manganese, zinc);
- vitamins A, B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, B9, E, C, K, PP.
100 g of drink contains 0.5 g of proteins, fats - 0.1 g, carbohydrates - 0.6 g. The composition of tea varies depending on additional ingredients.
Benefits and harms of use for diseases
Cinnamon drink is especially valued in Ayurveda - Indian folk medicine. Features of the product’s effect on the body in pathologies:
- Diabetes. The drink helps prevent and alleviate the course of the disease. Tea is taken 3 times a day without sweeteners. When they are added, the product becomes harmful, as it provokes an increase in blood glucose levels.
- Gastritis. The drink is useful for low acidity, as it stimulates the production of gastric juice. If the indicator is high, it is recommended not to consume any dishes or liquids with spices due to the risk of irritation of the mucous membrane and aggravation of the disease, including the formation of ulcers.
- Cold. Regular use reduces the likelihood of seasonal diseases. The product is able to activate the body’s defenses, stop the virus from multiplying, and accelerate the removal of sputum from the lungs. The downside of cinnamon tea is an increase in body temperature due to accelerated blood flow and a warming effect.
- Gastrointestinal diseases. The drink helps normalize stool, get rid of bloating, cramps, and remove bacteria from the stomach and intestines. The effectiveness of tea is higher with the addition of cloves. Should be taken during the day after meals. When consumed on an empty stomach or at night, the drink irritates the gastrointestinal mucous membranes.
Effect on diabetes, research
In 2013, a group of Iranian scientists conducted a study on the effect of spice on patients with type 2 diabetes. The experiment involved 70 people with a confirmed diagnosis. For 60 days, they took capsules containing placebo or spice powder. For the study, the Chinese analogue was used - cassia, but since its composition is similar to Ceylon cinnamon, the results were attributed to all types of spices.
The experiment showed:
- The spice has little effect on blood glucose levels. Scientists said that the work of colleagues from other countries shows a more noticeable effect. Possible reasons cited include: age differences, the use of different types of raw materials and dosages, and the duration of the experiment.
- Cinnamon increases a person's sensitivity to insulin and stimulates the natural production of the hormone.
Experts have concluded that the spice can help treat diabetes. But due to differences in their own observations and the results of colleagues, they expressed the need to continue studying cinnamon.
Cancer Prevention
The spicy product contains cinnamaldehyde, which can prevent cell mutations and suppress tumor growth. The drink is most effective against colorectal cancer. To prevent cancer, you need to drink 200 ml of tea 3 times a day. The effect of cinnamon is enhanced by honey, mint and ginger additives.
Application in cosmetology
The spicy drink has a rejuvenating effect, can improve complexion, hair condition, remove rashes, and narrow pores. For cosmetic procedures, it is better to use cinnamon infusion with green tea. You can wash your face and rinse your hair with the drink. To rejuvenate the skin, use a mask made of fabric soaked in a spicy liquid.
Handmade cinnamon soap