Benefits of Dalchini or Cinnamon
Listed below are some of the health benefits of every Indian household's favourite spice, dalchini:
Dalchini Controls Diabetes:
Cinnamon can activate insulin receptors in the human body. Hence, their consumption improves the glucose and lipid levels of people with type 2 diabetes. It also activates the enzymes responsible for maintaining carbohydrate metabolism.
This keeps triglycerides, total serum glucose, and total cholesterol of a person under check. Dalchini also reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases in diabetes patients due to its vasodilatory properties.
Cinnamon Delays the Onset of Alzheimer's:
The cinnamon extract contains properties to stop tau protein coagulation. This protein collects around the brain nerves responsible for transmitting signals and forms filaments. Thus, cinnamon extract improves the brain's locomotor abilities by stopping tau protein and preventing the further onset of Alzheimer's.
Cinnamon Protects from Cancer:
Cinnamon has properties that control specific components responsible for the regeneration of cells. This stops the growth of cancer cells and reduces their spread. Studies also reported that it's extract only blocks the multiplication of unhealthy cancerous cells and has no effect on healthy cells. Thus, dalchini chekka is used against lymphoma and leukemia.
Dalchini Has Anti-bacterial and Anti-inflammatory properties:
The anti-inflammatory health benefits of dalchini make it very beneficial for arthritis patients. They can apply the cinnamon paste on joints for pain relief. It has a compound known as Cinnamomum that provides relief against aching joints.
Digestion Benefits of Dalchini with Milk:
Drinking cinnamon with milk before going to bed helps with acidity, constipation, and gas problems. Cinnamon is rich in nutrients like manganese, calcium, and fiber.
Calcium and fiber ensure the proper functioning of bile juices. Fiber is also very effective against diarrhea and constipation. Dalchini with milk also reduces inflammation because of nasal congestion, ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Dalchini is Effective Against Skin Infection:
Essential oils extracted from cinnamon help treat pimples, acne, and other skin-related infections. You can apply cinnamon and honey to your face for this purpose. Leave it overnight and then wash it off in the morning.
Dalchini Tea Benefits in Cough and Cold:
The body warming and antibiotic properties of cinnamon help fight the cold, especially in the winter season. It also helps in relieving blocked nose that is a common symptom in cold. You can drink a cup of cinnamon tea mixed with a teaspoon of honey, 1 or 2 thin slices of ginger, tulsi, and a pinch of black pepper when you are suffering from the cold get relief from the symptoms.
Listed below are some other dalchini tea benefits:
- Dalchini tea improves metabolism.
- Dalchini tea protects from oxidative stress.
- Dalchini tea provides immunity against flu.
- Cinnamom teas strengthens hair follicles.
- Cinnamon tea fights bacteria causing bad breath.
Dalchini Powder Benefits
Fiber and calcium in the cinnamon powder help remove excess bile salts from the body. This pushes the body to produce more bile salt, which requires breaking down cholesterol. Hence, the cholesterol level of the body is automatically lowered.
This, in turn, reduces the risk of heart blockages, which further brings down the possibility of heart diseases. Also, the arteries are protected from atherosclerosis.
How to Use Dalchini (Cinnamon) for Weight Loss
Besides consuming it as tea or with food, you can also drink dalchini water for weight loss. Add one to two cinnamon sticks in water and boil for 5-10 minutes. You can drink this once a day in the morning before eating anything else to lose weight. However, you should keep the dosage in check if you start experiencing fatigue, nausea, weakness, etc. Always consult a doctor or nutritionist before starting any rigorous diet routine.
The following properties make dalchini perfect for weight loss:
- Dalchini Counters the negative impact of meals with high-fat content.
- Dalchini helps maintain a healthy body and improves digestion through anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- The fiber content in cinnamon creates an illusion of a full stomach, thus preventing you from overeating.
Different Uses of Dalchini for Health Benefits
You can use cinnamon in various forms such as powder, stick, oil, or bark by mixing it with some other ingredients. Following are a few popular ways to consume dalchini:
Dalchini in Food and drinks:
Mix approx. 1-2 tablespoon of cinnamon powder, once a day, in a meal if you have diabetes or high cholesterol. You should consult a doctor about the benefits of dalchini water or powder in your condition before including them as a food supplement in the diet.
Cinnamon Tea:
Add one cinnamon stick to a cup of water and boil for a couple of minutes. Then filter out the stick, and the tea is ready to drink. It will keep you warm during the winter season and protect against flu. You can drink this twice a day during winters.
Cinnamon with Honey:
Boil 2 cups of water and pour it over one teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Let the mixture cool down. Then add two teaspoons of honey. This mixture reduces the risk of heart attacks. Dalchini and honey benefit in the treatment of skin infection as well. Drink this daily on an empty stomach in the morning.
Dalchini Side-Effects
However, keep in mind that too much dalchini has side-effects. Dalchini side effects include liver damage, mouth sores, low blood sugar level, etc. Hence, it is recommended to consult a doctor about cinnamon benefits and how much they will be effective against your health condition.
References
- Pasupuleti Visweswara Rao and Siew Hua Gan, April 2010; Cinnamon: a multifaceted medicinal plant- Cinnamon: a multifaceted medicinal plant - PubMed (nih.gov)
- Joerg Gruenwald, Janine Freder, and Nicole Armbruester, October 2010; Cinnamon and Health- (PDF) Cinnamon and Health (researchgate.net)
- Priyanga Ranasinghe, Shehani Pigera, G A Sirimal Premakumara, Priyadarshani Galappaththy, Godwin R Constantine, and Prasad Katulanda, October 2013; Medicinal properties of 'true' cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum): a systematic review- Medicinal properties of 'true' cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum): a systematic review - PubMed (nih.gov)
- Suchandra Dutta, June 2017; Characterisation of 'Dalchini': A case study on the market samples- (PDF) Characterisation of 'Dalchini': A case study on the market samples (researchgate.net)
