With the increase in fitness and health programs across the country, many people are becoming educated on ways to live a happier and healthier life. Although prescription drugs are on the rise, many people have turned towards the use of alternative medicines. If you are looking for a substitute that will provide great health benefits and is a fraction of the cost of most prescription drugs, take a look at the pros and cons of Cinnamon.
Control Blood Sugar Levels
With so many people being affected by the harmful disease Diabetes, many people are burdened with being placed on medications for the remainder of the lives. These medications can be rather expensive, and they can lead to a life filled with discomfort.
Cassia Cinnamon has been known in some cases to lower blood sugar levels in some adults. This benefit may prevent some individuals from being placed on long term medications, and it can also allow some people to be taken off previous diabetes medications. It's obvious that you would talk to your primary care Doctor before making any type of major changes.
Decreases Swelling and Helps Fight Sickness
Having Cinnamon readily available has major benefits for other uses as well. Cinnamon contains properties that have been known in some cases to reduce certain forms of inflammation in some people. It has also been known to provide the same positive effects that most antioxidants provide in many people across the country. Cinnamon has also been known to fight off certain illnesses do to certain forms of bacteria strains.
Although it has not been proven, further research is being done for the use in HIV patients. It has been said that some patients responded to the use of Cinnamon for certain types of therapy. It was reported in some patients that they had lower levels of cholesterol after using Cinnamon. In some women that were infected with the HIV virus, it was reported that when Cinnamon was used there were healing effects when they had yeast infections.
The Downside of Cinnamon
As you already know, the bad always comes with the good. Cinnamon is great for many reasons. It's a great spice for cooking, it has a great scent that can be used for aerosols and candles, and it has great healing properties for certain sicknesses and diseases.
What some people forget to mention is that Cinnamon can be bad or fatal for a certain percentage of the population. Heavy doses of Cinnamon have been known to cause irritation to certain areas of the body. If your body is sensitive to Cinnamon or products containing Cinnamon, it's possible that you may suffer from an allergic reaction. Eye and lip swelling has been reported by some people. An occasional sore has been reported by other users.
The most disturbing side effect that has been reported is fatalities. There are two types of Cinnamon that can be purchased. Of the two, Cassia Cinnamon is very potent and if taken in high quantities can be fatal. It can interact with prescription drugs, and it can possibly do damage to the liver and other organs. Before purchasing Cinnamon, be aware as to what precautions should be taken.
There you have it. A spice that when used properly provides a great taste, delivers a great scent, and can provide relief to certain ailments. If you are looking for a natural alternative for certain medications, a great spice to season your food, or something to add a great scent to your kitchen, head to a local grocery store and pick up a container of Cinnamon.
