Two thousand years ago, cinnamon was so precious that Roman scholar Pliny the Elder recorded it as worth more than its weight in gold and silver. The ancient Egyptians used it in embalming; the Greeks used it to flavor wine, believing it could treat ailments ranging from coughs to lethargy; and today we casually sprinkle it on our morning oatmeal.
4 Things to Know About Cinnamon
Cinnamon’s health benefits are well-documented, especially its ability to aid digestion and balance blood sugar. However, this spicy bark holds more secrets than most of us realize. Here are four things you should—and may not—know about cinnamon.
1. Cleanses the Air
During medieval times, wealthy Europeans who could afford exotic spices, including cinnamon, used them to protect against the bubonic plague. Historical accounts describe how cloves, fennel, and cinnamon were strewn on windowsills to scent and purify the air as it entered from outside.
The iconic plague masks, with their distinctive long beaks, worn by doctors, were said to be filled with strong-smelling herbs, flowers, and spices, including mixtures of cloves and cinnamon. Physicians of the era believed the herbs would purify the air before it reached the lungs, protecting them from disease.
