Cinnamon Leaves - Health Benefits, Uses and Important Facts

Cinnamon is a well-known aromatic spice that is frequently used in both savoury and sweet cuisines all over the world. Pure cinnamon is made from the bark of Cinnamonum verum trees and can be consumed either ground or whole. However, cinnamon leaves are less well-known than their bark sibling. When cooking, cinnamon leaves often have a milder flavour and aroma than cinnamon bark since they grow on the branches of the Cinnamomum verum plant.

Cinnamon leaves are thought to have originated in Burma, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and India and have been consumed since antiquity. Although they may now be purchased in speciality markets, it is said that Arab traders were the ones who first spread them.

Cinnamon leaves’ description:

The leaves of cinnamon are medium in size, elongated, slender, oval to lanceolate in shape, and taper to a tip. Fresh cinnamon leaves have a leathery, glossy green surface, and the central vein that runs through each leaf is clearly visible and bright green. Unripe Before they turn bright green as they mature, cinnamon leaves are red. Smooth branches have cinnamon leaves, and the tree is also recognised for its thick bark. When compared to cinnamon bark, they have a milder flavour and scent and are frequently dried. They should be taken out of the dish before eating because they are most frequently used in a dried state. The scent of clove and citrus are strongly present in the cinnamon leaf oil's powerful, spicy, and musky perfume. They can be found all year long. They originated in Burma, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Indian subcontinent's Malabar coast, but Arab traders later introduced them to Babylon, Egypt, Rome, and the rest of Europe. Presently, they are accessible in South America, the West Indies, China, Vietnam, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Bangladesh, China, and India.

Benefits of Cinnamon leaves:

1. The cinnamon tree's leaves contain vitamins and minerals that can be removed and added to dietary supplements in the form of oils or capsules, or the entire leaf can be used as an ingredient in hot water tea to allow the contents to be absorbed into the tea and consumed orally.
   
   
2.  Eugenol, a substance found in cinnamon leaf oil, helps with stomach issues like nausea, diarrhoea, and upset stomach.
   
   
3. The presence of cinnamonaldehyde in cinnamon leaves may lower the chance of developing type-2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity.
   
   
4. Cinnamon leaf essential oil is used in aromatherapy because of its aphrodisiac characteristics.
   
   
5. It can improve sexual function in both men and women and reduce impotence symptoms. It is thought that inhaling cinnamon oil mixed with other essential oils has sexual properties.
   
   
6. Burners and vaporizers that employ cinnamon leaf essential oil can be used to treat bronchitis and chest congestion.