As the holidays roll into view and the weather cools, there’s nothing quite like the smell of cinnamon cookies baking in the kitchen or a cup of steaming hot cinnamon cider. Few aromas signal the holidays like the scent of cinnamon. In this article, we will explore its history, medicinal uses, and three simple DIY holiday gifts.
Cinnamon has a layered ancient history, woven through many regions and cultures. In China, cinnamon is traced back in legend to 2800 BCE and later recorded in the Shennong Ben Cao Jing, a materia medica (~200 CE) as a warming herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In Egypt, by 2000 BCE, cinnamon was highly valued for its use in incense, perfumes, temple offerings, and embalming. It was often valued as highly as gold. Greek and Roman writers praised cinnamon as a prized spice in wines, love potions, and incense.
During the medieval period, Arab traders controlled spice routes that carried cinnamon from the East to Europe. By the 16th and 17th centuries, European powers had established a monopoly over cinnamon cultivation in Sri Lanka. This monopoly was initially held by the Portuguese, then by the Dutch, and later by the British. For centuries, cinnamon symbolized wealth, power, and prestige.
Today, thanks to changes in cultivation and shipping, cinnamon is widely available and affordable, marking a significant shift from its former status as a luxury item. As we trace cinnamon’s evolution from prized spice to everyday staple, it’s helpful to distinguish the two main types found today:
Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is often referred to as true cinnamon and offers a gentle, milder flavor profile than other types of cinnamon.
Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) has a bolder, spicier profile. This is the type most people recognize as cinnamon.
Once a spice of emperors and explorers, cinnamon is now a familiar friend in our kitchens and apothecaries. Even with its accessibility, its exceptional healing properties endure. Let’s explore cinnamon’s current medicinal roles from an herbal clinical view:
Materia Medica: Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.)
Botanical Profile: Cinnamon is the inner bark of trees in the Lauraceae family, native to Asia.
Constituents: Cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, proanthocyanidins, catechins, mucilage, tannins.
Energetics: Warming, stimulating, aromatic, and drying.
Organs Affected: Circulatory, digestive, immune, and respiratory systems.
Actions & Uses: Circulatory stimulant, carminative, antimicrobial, demulcent, astringent, and hypoglycemic. Cinnamon promotes warmth, supports digestion and blood sugar balance, and helps alleviate symptoms of colds, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
Cautions: Avoid large doses during pregnancy. Cassia contains coumarin, which may stress the liver if taken long-term or in excess. Use in moderation. Consult a healthcare professional if you have concerns about your liver or are taking any medications.
Now that we’ve explored both cinnamon’s history and its medicinal uses, let’s make it a part of your celebrations with three simple DIY holiday recipes:
- Cinnamon Sugar Body Scrub
- Spiced Holiday Potpourri Sachets
- Cinnamon-Infused Honey
Together, these recipes offer a simple way to share cinnamon’s warmth this season, uniting tradition and wellness with a homemade gift.
Cinnamon Sugar Body Scrub
Brighten and exfoliate skin with this easy, festive scrub: an ideal homemade gift.
Ingredients:
* 1 cup sugar
* 1 cup pink Himalayan salt
* 1/2 cup olive oil (sweet almond oil, jojoba, or fractionated coconut oil can also be utilized)
* 1/2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
* 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
* Optional Essential Oil Add (10 drops total): Cedarwood, Lavender, Peppermint
Directions: Mix until combined. Store in a jar. Massage into damp skin and rinse. Store in a cool, dark place; use within six months.
Benefits: Cinnamon stimulates circulation, while sugar and oil exfoliate and hydrate. This preparation is for external use only. If you have sensitive skin, perform a patch test first and discontinue use if irritation develops. Do not use on broken skin.
Spiced Holiday Potpourri Sachets
An aromatic sachet that fills the home with festive cheer when simmered.
Ingredients:
* 6–8 cinnamon sticks (broken into pieces or 1/2 cup chopped cinnamon)
* 1/2 cup dried orange peel
* 1 tsp cloves
* 1/2 cup dried apple slices
* 1 Tbsp allspice berries
* 3-4 Cardamon Pods
* 1-2 Star Anise Pods
Directions: Mix and portion into small muslin bags or glass jars. Tie with a ribbon.
Benefits: Creates a cozy scent for simmering or tucking into drawers. For environmental use only; do not ingest.
Cinnamon-Infused Honey
Create a sweet, spiced honey perfect for gifting or enjoying with tea and toast.
Ingredients:
* 1 cup raw honey
* 3–4 cinnamon sticks or 1/4 cup chopped cinnamon
* Optional Add Ins: (Star Anise Pod, Cardamon Pods, Clove Bud)
Directions: Place cinnamon sticks in a clean glass jar, cover with honey, and let infuse for 1–2 weeks before gifting. If using chopped cinnamon, heat gently and strain before gifting. Store in a cool, dark place; use within six months. Seal jars tightly to prevent contamination. Do not give to infants under one year due to the risk. If you have allergies to honey or cinnamon, consult a healthcare provider.
From the temples of Egypt to the spice routes of Europe, cinnamon has long been associated with warmth, luxury, and vitality. As we reflect on its journey, let us appreciate how this spice continues to warm our lives, whether steeped in tea, massaged into the skin, or sprinkled atop holiday cookies. May your season be filled with the sweetness and the spice of cinnamon.
Resources:
Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. DK Publishing, 2016.
Hoffmann, David. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press, 2003.
American Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Cinnamon Bark Monograph. 2002.
NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH):
“Cinnamon: What You Need To Know.” https://www.nccih.nih.gov
Toussaint-Samat, Maguelonne. A History of Food. Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.
Sri Lanka Export Development Board. “History of Ceylon Cinnamon.”
Sjenderi, Gazmend. ‘Herbal Vade Mecum.’ 800 Herbs, Spices, Essential Oils, Lipids, Etc. 2003
This information is provided for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using herbs medicinally.
Megan Fuhrman-Wheeler
Her goal is to share herbal knowledge with rural America in a safe, constructive, and accessible manner.
Owner, MEGAN & CO. Herbal Apothecary + Teahouse
Trained at the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism
Certified Clinical Herbalist
Certified Clinical Nutritionist
Certified Flower Essence Practitioner
