The genus Cinnamomum

322 B. Krishnamoorthy and J. Rema
Table 13.15 Antioxidative activity of cinnamon in comparison with other spices (con.added 0.02%)
against lard
Spice Ground spice Pet.ether soln. fraction Pet.ether insoluble fraction
POV (mEq/kg) POV (mEq/kg) POV (mEq/kg)
Cinnamon 324.0 36.4 448.9
Cardamom 423.8 711.8 458.6
Black pepper 364.5 31.3 486.5
Chillies 108.3 369.1 46.2
Clove 22.6 33.8 12.8
Ginger 40.9 24.5 35.5
Turmeric 399.3 430.6 293.7
Mace 13.7 29.0 11.3
Nutmeg 356.6 31.1 66.7
Rosemary 3.4 6.2 6.2
Sage 2.9 5.0 5.0
Source: Saito et al., 1976.
Note
POV: Peroxidase value.
1. Cinnamon taken in hot rum gives relief from the common cold.
2. Ground cinnamon added to hot milk or stirred into a mixture of lemon juice,
honey and hot water and taken at bedtime lessens the miserable effect of the
common cold.
3. A tablespoon of cinnamon water taken half an hour after meals is effective against
flatulence and indigestion.
4. A paste of cinnamon powder in water, applied to the forehead, is effective against
headache.
5. Coarsely powdered cinnamon boiled in a glass of water with a pinch of pepper and
honey is an effective medicine for sore throats and colds.
6. Gargling with cardamon seeds and cinnamon boiled in water, gives instant relief
from sore throats and prevents further infection.
7. Cinnamon has the ability to control blood sugar levels. Though it has not been
proved clinically to control diabetes, it has been reported that adding a quater of
a teaspoon cinnamon per day to the daily diet has shown favourable results in many
diabetics.
8. Cinnamon can be used as an ingredient in spice mixtures used to ward off insects
and as room freshners. Sweet bags are used to perfume linens when keeping
them in cupboards. Sweet bags are prepared by mixing half a cup dried rosebuds,
a third of a cup of ground orris root, one cup of coriander seeds bruised in mortar,
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ten slightly bruised whole cloves, half a cup of
dried orange flowers, half a teaspoon of common salt all filled in small cotton
bags.
9. Moths are a bane in many households and a variety of scented mixtures have been
developed to deter insects from laying their eggs amongst fabrics and clothes. Moth
bags can be made by mixing equal amounts of ground caraway, cloves, nutmeg,
mace, cinnamon and tonka beans and by adding the same quantity of ground orris
root.