Cinnamon extract 30% | Cinnamomum cassia

Cinnamon extract 30% | Cinnamomum cassia

Properties: Cinnamon is certainly one of the most popular spices used in the culinary art all over the world. It is valued especially for its interesting, rusty color and sweet, slightly spicy taste. Interestingly enough, it is also one of the oldest spices. The first rumors about it come from the sources dated 3000 years back! It arrived in Europe much later, probably as one of the trade goods traveling in caravans along the Silk Road.

For many of us cinnamon is easily associated with baked specialties. Yet, not so many are aware of the fact that this spice is actually very common in the major systems of natural medicine – such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. And there are many reasons for that! Dried bark of Cinnamomum cassia has a multidirectional, positive effect on general health. It can be used as a support for weight reduction as it has been proven that cinnamon stimulates metabolic processes that lead to a more efficient burning of fat. This ingredient can also make bodily cells more sensitive to glucose, lowering sugar level in blood. However, we should not forget that cinnamon bark is a decent support for immunity, just like many other spices. It strengthens natural defense mechanisms and slows down development of infections due to antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

In terms of neuroregulation, it is worth noting that cinnamon cassia effectively protects the nervous cells from harmful factors, e.g. excessive buildup of beta-amyloid. That way, it may prevent some of the neurodegenerative disorders and support the proper functioning of this precious organ that can be considered the headquarters of the whole organism. During research studies, it has been established that cassia stimulates the activity of serotonin that is also known as a “happiness hormone”. That is particularly important since a proper level of serotonin is one of the key elements of psycho-emotional balance. This neurotransmitter helps to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improving general mood and well-being.

And who would imagine that such a delicate resource as an aromatic bark of a cinnamon tree can have multiple health benefits? Whether your goal is weight loss or you want to support the brain, or maybe improve your natural immunity, cinnamon cassia will definitely be a great choice.

Occurrence: Chinese cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) or simply cinnamon cassia, is a tree from the Lauraceae family of plants. It can reach up to 10-15 meters in height. It has a slightly protruding and rough bark that is usually collected as semi-circular stripes 25 cm long and 5-25 mm wide. The leaves of cassia are 10-15 cm in length with an ovate shape and a pointy ending. They usually have a yellow color, while younger leaves can be red. Cassia leaves are longer and narrower than those of the Ceylon cinnamon tree that seems to be more popular in Europe. Yellow-green flowers are gathered in panicles and attached to the tree by long petioles. Cinnamon trees produce fruits in the form of a green drupe. 

Naturally, cinnamon cassia occurs in the Southern and South-Eastern parts of Asia. The first crops of this plant have been located in Southern China. Currently, on a larger scale, cassia is also cultivated in countries such as: India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Biochemistry: Cinnamon cassia has many health benefits because of its rich composition that includes: essential oil, diterpenes, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, polyphenols or polysaccharides. The distinctive, spicy taste and sharp aroma of cassia are mainly the effect of high content of cinnamaldehyde, coumarin (in Ceylon cinnamon there are only small amounts) and eugenol. Note that scientists have identified over 200 substances in essential oil of cinnamon bark. There are also other compounds such as: quercetin, myrcene, trans-anethole, hydroxychalcone and curcumene.

Fun fact: In ancient Rome of the 1st century CE, cinnamon was about 15 times more valuable than silver. The reason for this was a high demand for this spice and its limited availability. After some time, new trade routes had been established which made cinnamon more widespread and its price significantly dropped.