With the holidays approaching, all I've been thinking about is baking - the amazing aromas of vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin, & allspice. This an extremely easy DIY cinnamon extract recipe and a quick substitute for powdered cinnamon.
There are two different types of cinnamon :
Ceylon cinnamon - known as true cinnamon
Cassia cinnamon - the more common variety that most people are used to working with
5 Benefits Of Cinnamon
1: Cinnamaldehyde
Cinnamon is scientifically known as Cinnamomum and is made from the inner bark of trees. This inner part of the tree is extracted and the woody parts removed. When the bark dries the strips roll up into a cinnamon sticks.
The aroma comes from the oils in the bark which contains high compounds of cinnamaldehyde, which is responsible for the beneficial effects of health and metabolism.
Cinnamaldehyde helps fight bacterial and fungal infections such as respiratory tract infections, Salmonella, helps prevent tooth decay, and reduce bad breath.
2: Antioxidant Rich
Antioxidants protect your body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
Loaded with antioxidants such as polyphenols, in a study between cinnamon and 26 other spices, cinnamon won, out ranking foods like garlic and oregano.
3: High Anti-inflammatory Properties
Helps your body fight infections, and repair tissue damage.
4: Lowers The Risk Of Heart Disease
This spice may improve some key risk factors for heart disease, including cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure.
5: Can Improve Sensitivity To The Hormone Insulin
Insulin is one of the key hormones that regulate metabolism and energy use. It’s also essential for transporting blood sugar from your bloodstream to your cells. The problem is that many people are resistant to the effects of insulin. This is also known as Type 2 Diabetes.
Helps reduce insulin resistance helping the hormone do its job.
Aids in reducing high blood pressure.
Cinnamon has been shown to reduce fasting blood sugar levels, having a potent anti-diabetic effect at 1–6 grams or 0.5–2 teaspoons per day.
So you can get the most out of your cinnamon daily and to keep your immune system up and running through the tougher months, here is how to make your own cinnamon extract.
If you love cinnamon you'll probably love this Autumn Equinox Tea. Even better if you add some of this is DIY Cinnamon Extract into it!
DIY Cinnamon Extract Recipe
Ingredients
8-10 cinnamon sticks
8oz glass jar
vodka or rum (higher the proof the better)
1) Crush your cinnamon sticks
2) Add sticks to jar
3) Add vodka to jar just enough to cover the bark
4) Cover, shake, and keep in jar 1-2 months shaking occasionally
5) Strain new extract into a smaller dark glass bottles
Label your jar: name, scientific name, date made
Store in a dry, dark place.
Uses
Add to desserts, warm water, coffee, to rice when cooking, chicken, turkey, veggies, anything, and everything.
I like add one teaspoon to my morning coffee, and I also like to add 1-2 teaspoons to my roasted veggies along with olive oil and rosemary, it's so subtle and so delicious!
