Summer is slowly turning to fall and these cooler mornings are beckoning me to break out the cinnamon tea!
Not only is it addictively delicious (I prefer it over coffee most mornings) it ranges in amazing health benefits that are too good to pass up!
Cinnamon is a superfood as it is loaded with powerful antioxidants, such as polyphenols that fight inflammation as well as protect your body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. The Polyphenols in cinnamon are so strong it actually can be used as a natural food preservative!
Mixing the benefits of raw honey with Cinnamon slows aging, strengthens vitality, and increases life expectancy.
Other benefits of Cinnamon include:
*Weight loss by raising metabolism
*Regulates Blood Sugar
*Helps improve and prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
*Has protective effects against cancer
*Prevents tooth decay
*Antimicrobial
*Antibacterial
*Fights respiratory infections
-DISCLAIMER-
Beware of the Cinnamon you buy. Not many know there are two types of cinnamon available:
1) Ceylon Cinnamon or "true cinnamon" is tan/ brown in color, mild in flavor, and harder to find. Health food stores will usually carry it and Amazon also has a wide selection.
2) Cassia cinnamon, is the most common one sold in grocery stores and the one that is most likely in your spice cabinet. It is red in color, spicier, and more potent.
Both are considered healthy and offer almost the same benefits as the other however the cassis variety contains a higher amount of coumarin than the Ceylon variety. Coumarin is TOXIC at higher levels and can lead to LIVER FAILURE. So when it comes to using cinnamon in a supplement or oil form make sure it's of the Ceylon variety!
For perspective: Cassia contains approximately 1% coumarin, while Ceylon contains only 0.004%
So... 1 to 2 tsp of powdered Cassia cinnamon is the daily limit.
-THE RECIPE:
There are several ways you can make your tea. I'll list an alternative. Remember to do what you like, make it your own and enjoy every sip to wellness.
This is how I make mine:
-Tea Kettle
-Filtered water
-2 or 3 organic Ceylon. cinnamon sticks
-10 organic Dried Bay Leaves
-A piece of organic ginger root
-Raw Honey
Fill the tea kettle with filtered water. Add in two to three cinnamon sticks and 8 to10 Bay Leaves. Turn off as it reaches a boil. Fill your glass mug and add Honey to taste and Enjoy.
With what is left in the kettle I reheat the following morning until the tea is gone. The cinnamon stick can be reused in the next batch of tea just replace the bay leaves.
A more simplified version
- 1 to 3 cups of hot filtered water
- 4 tsp Raw Honey (adjust to taste)
- 1Tsp of organic cinnamon powder (Ceylon)
Heat water in a coffee pot, kettle, or microwave add in cinnamon powder and honey mix, and drink. Make fresh daily.
********BONUS********
Ultra Moisturizing Acne Blast Mask Recipe
-A Clean Face
-1 tsp organic cinnamon Powder
-1 tbs Raw Honey
In a small bowl mix powdered cinnamon and honey. Blend well. Apply to your clean beautiful face and leave on for 15 minutes.
Rinse off thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry!
You can apply this mask to moisturize your skin or to say goodbye to acne by using this mask religiously 2 or 3 times a week. The results will amaze you.
