Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Cinnamon
Spice with a Punch
Family: Lauraceae; (includes Bay, Avocado, Nutmeg, Sassafras
Parts used: Dried inner bark
Genus and species: Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, C. Cassia, C. Saigonicum
Also known as: Cassia, Ceylon Cinnamon, Saigon Cinnamon
We sprinkle it on toast, add it to cookie batter, stir it into hot apple cider, and find it in toothpastes and candies. But cinnamon is more than a sweet treat.
It’s one of the world’s oldest healers. And modern science has confirmed its value for prevention of infection and indigestion.
Asian Prize
Cinnamon grew originally in southern Asia. Ancient Chinese herbals mention it as early as 2700 BC as a treatment for fever, diarrhea, and menstrual problems. India’s ancient Ayurvedic healers used it similarly.
When ancient travelers introduced the aromatic herb to the Egyptians, they added it enthusiastically to their embalming mixtures. Egyptian demand for cinnamon (and other Asian spices) played a major role in ancient trade.
The Biblical Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans adopted cinnamon as a spice, perfume, and treatment for indigestion.
After the fall of Rome, trade with Asia came to a virtual halt, but somehow cinnamon still made it to Europe. The l zth-century German abbess/herbalist Hildegard of Bingen recommended it as “the universal spice for sinuses,” and to treat colds, flu, cancer, and “inner decay and slime.”
Back to the Kitchen
By the 17th century, Europeans considered cinnamon primarilya kitchen spice. In healing, they used it only to mask the bitterness of other healing herbs.
But as time passed, cinnamon slowly regained its former reputation as a healer. America’s 19th-century Eclectic physicians prescribed it for stomach cramps, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, infant colic, and especially for uterine problems: “[Cinnamon's] most direct action is on the uterine muscle fibers, causing contraction and arresting bleeding. For postpartum and other uterine hemorrhages, it is one of the most prompt and efficient remedies.”
Modern herbalists recommend cinnamon to relieve nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and indigestion, and as a flavoring agent for bitter-tasting healing-herb preparations. They can’t quite agree about how it affects the uterus. Some say it stimulates uterine contractions. Others say it calms the uterus.