Growing up, cinnamon was always a part of mom's baking and the smell of cinnamon can still bring me back to days spent in an aromatic kitchen making apple tarts or other treats. I still like to make sweets with cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and all of those 'autumn' herbs n' spices, but in recent years have fallen in love with cooking with cinnamon ~ adding to savoury dishes from baked veggies to grains, legumes and meat dishes.
My brother-in-law, a trained chef from Lebanon has been an inspiration and mentor in the manner & method of using cinnamon and other aromatic spices to elevate every-day meals to delicious new 'foodie' experiences. Check out the recipe below ~ a version of "Loubieh" (translated into English from Arabic, "Green beans", literally but also the name of this classic Lebanese dish) There are many reasons to enjoy cinnamon as often as possible.
How do YOU use it?
As always, with herbal medicine, I am in awe of the many positive influences that ONE plant/bark/root/flower can offer us. 
- Regulates blood sugar. Stablizes daily energy levels + moods. Excellent for hypoglycemics and diabetics. Can be used to PREVENT elevated glucose and blood lipid levels.
- Anti-microbial. Effective remedy against the ulcer-causing H. pylori bacteria.
- Anti-viral
- Anti-fungal. Effective remedy re Candida
- Reduces LDL cholesterol levels. As LDL (bad cholesterol!) is reduced, it can reduce risk of cardiovascular disease
- Reduces pain related to arthritis
- Also anti-inflammatory action related to some neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, MS, brain tumours) Shown to be beneficial post stroke, offering protection from further damage.
- Part of an anti-cancer group of herbs non as anti-neoplastics; shown to reduce proliferation of cancer cells*
*University of Texas research published in the Journal "Nutrition & Cancer"
Here's another study showing anti-cancer constituents!
It's easy to add cinnamon to your daily meals or snacks! I'm fond of my cup of hot water with freshly squeezed lemon. Sometimes I add some honey & cayenne powder but another choice is to add a couple of dashes of cinnamon instead of the cayenne. Now that's tasty! Oatmeal is a nutritious, hardy way to start the day and tastes great with cinnamon sprinkles! (Oatmeal is THE best nourishment for our nervous system!) Add a teaspoon or two to soups or stews! It's now a part of my winter turkey chili and, although subtle, adds another level of flavour. Add a little each time you roast or bake vegetables. I use rosemary, oregano, thyme, turmeric and cinnamon; sometimes a little cumin or garam masala. Change the taste totally with 'herbes de Provence' plus a dash of cinnamon. Experts advise that ½ teaspoon per day can make a remarkable difference in the above scenarios! Here'e a tasty recipe from the cuisine of Lebanon:
Loubieh
Ingredients
- 2 lbs green beans
- 3 onions medium to large, finely chopped
- 5 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 cinnamon stick broken in half
- 1 teaspoon sea salt or more if desired
- ½ - ¾ teaspoon 'seven spices' *
- ½ can tomato paste
- 2 cups pure water
- 2 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon used in two ways
Instructions
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Prepare the beans. (Remove ends and snap in half ~ unless they are small)
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Rince beans in a colander with running water 2-3 times
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In a bowl, whisk the tomato paste with the water. (some folks add a dash of sugar to this mixture)
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Place the beans in a large pot with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and turn up the heat.
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Stir the beans for about 5 minutes rapidly, turning the beans continuously.
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Add the tomato paste-water mixture plus 2 pieces of cinnamon.
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Cover and bring to a boil.
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Simmer with lid 'ajar' until all the liquid has evaporated
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While the beans are simmering, add the onions and the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to a pan.
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Saute the onions until golden brown. Add the garlic during the last minute, stirring well.
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Add the salt and the 'seven spices'. Stir to combine.
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Remove the cinnamon stick from the simmered beans; beans should be soft and almost no water left in the pot.
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Add the onions-garlic mixture from the sauté pan.
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Stir gently to combine all.
Recipe Notes
This dish tastes great warm or cold. Will keep well in the fridge for at least a week.
Freezes well.
How do you like to enjoy cinnamon in your meals??? Looking forward to hearing about that! Keep warm!
Steve Martin
What a wonderful website , SADLY only just stumbled across the site but glad I did ...
I've been a type 2 diabetic for around 5 years and I have used many of the herbs listed but your website has hugely opened my eyes to fantastic new ways to use and enjoy them ...
Bless ya for sharing the knowledge, tips and hints ...
linda spiker
Cinnamon is so amazing! I love it in smoothies!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
I love cinnamon but didn't know it has so many beneficial properties! Your recipe looks yummy too Carol.
Megan Stevens
I love all the properties of cinnamon, too and love that you shared a savory recipe that uses it.
Bernice Mella
I would like to thank you for the suggestion of adding half a teaspoon of cinnamon to my morning hot water and lemon.It really is very tasty.Best of all after drinking this new found treat for only 2 weeks it has reduced a noticable amount of pain I suffer with from arthritis.Thank you so much.I am sold.
carollittle
You are most welcome, Bernice! You may want to check out my e-report "It's A Spring Thing" under "articles" on my home page. Lots of ideas and, when you feel like a change in your morning routine, there may be a helpful suggestion, there, for you! Very glad to hear that the pain has reduced!!