Growing your own pharmacy will help protect the health of your loved ones during a long-term disaster. Even before the power grid fails or The Harbinger economic collapse warnings come true, you can utilize what you grow at home to help cure what ails you without a steep price tag or ingesting unnatural chemicals.
Cinnamon is not difficult to grow and has a plethora of beneficial and medicinal uses. The spice was once considered more precious than gold, a testament to both its healing power and sweet taste. Cinnamon is made from the bark of the tree that bears its name. The bark is dried into a stick or tubular form and then ground into powder. There are about 100 different varieties of cinnamon.
The primary medicinal benefits of cinnamon stem from the essential oil found in the tree bark. The active components in the oil are cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate and cinnamyl alcohol.
The spice is believe to possess strong anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-clotting, and anti-infectious properties. Cinnamon’s antioxidant properties include minerals like iron, manganese, polyphenols and dietary fibers. It is also a natural source of carbohydrates, sugars, amino acids and fatty acids.
Survival Medicine Uses of Cinnamon
Blood Sugar Control
Individuals with type 2 diabetes may benefit from ingesting cinnamon. The spice is believe to help the body respond to insulin and aid in the normalization of blood sugar levels. Some cinnamon compounds may inhibit enzymes that inactivates insulin receptors and naturally stimulate the receptors in the process. Natural remedy fans often recommend regularly ingesting less than 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day to reduce blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients. Cinnamon is delicious, so sprinkling a little bit of the spice on your morning oatmeal or into your tea or coffee won’t be a hardship for the taste buds.
Heart Disease Prevention
Cinnamon’s anti-inflammatory components may be a natural and effective way to help keep your heart healthy. Cinnamon is believed to help fight the bad cholesterol that is present in unhealthy foods that lead to plaque and clogged arteries. The spice’s anti-inflammatory components might also aid in the healing of damaged tissue, possibly decreasing the risk of disease and heart attacks.
Brain Function Enhancement
Mental alertness might be boosted by eating more cinnamon. Some feel that merely smelling the spice helps reduce the anxiety and stress that can cause distraction and a loss of cognitive function. If sniffing cinnamon does not do the trick, opt for the sprinkle method to help calm the mind and refocus on the task at hand.
Cancer Prevention
Cinnamon studies at the University of Texas have reportedly found that ingesting the spice might reduce the growth of cancer cells. The researchers believe the spice may decrease cancer cells already present in the body. When cinnamon is ingested regularly and combined with a healthy diet, it could prevent cancer and reduce the spread of leukemia.
Colon Health
The sweet-smelling spice is a significant source of manganese, fiber and calcium. The combination of fiber and calcium may improve the health and functionality of the colon. Both of the cinnamon components bind to bile salts and help pull the matter from the body. When the bile is not left lounging in the body, fiber can do its job and help reduce or prevent the damage bile salts can do to colon cells. The risk of colon cancer may be decreased in the process. The presence of fiber may also prove valuable in helping to relieve Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms, such as the constipation and diarrhea commonly associated with the condition. Uncontrollable or frequent diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which can be deadly.
Blood Circulation
Coumarin, a useful component of cinnamon, is believed to possess blood-thinning properties. Ingesting too much coumarin can lead to liver malfunctioning and damage to the organ, so enjoy like any other condiment and don’t over-indulge.
How To Grow Cinnamon Trees
The Cinnamomum zeylanicum, or cinnamon tree, is yet another edible landscaping must-have in your homegrown pharmacy and long-term food supply plan. The tree is native to Southwest India and can grow year round in Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10 through 12. If you live in a colder zone, the tree can be grown in a pot and moved indoors during the chilly months of the year. The trees commonly grow between three to eight feet tall.
The tree flourishes in full sun; direct sunlight for up to 12 hours a day will do the tree good. The cinnamon tree is hardy, but it is sensitive to moisture. Grow only in a spot with fast-draining soil. Sandy loam or sand tend to work best. If you live in an area like mine where clay soil is the norm, the tree roots are likely to rot and pot planting is advisable.
If growing more than one cinnamon tree, which is an excellent idea, space them at least 10 feet away from other trees or structures. Fertilize the tree about every five weeks from spring through fall. The general rule of thumb involves using 1/4 cup of fertilizer per every 15 square feet of root zone area.
The root zone begins at the base of the cinnamon tree and extends past the canopy spread. The root zone is typically 1 1/2 times the total diameter of the canopy. Stand under the tree’s outer branches, then walk out half the same space again to discover the root zone parameters. Measure the distance from the trunk to where you stood and multiply the length by the width to garner a square-foot measurement. Typically, a tree with a 4-foot diameter will have a root zone that reaches six feet from the trunk in every direction.
Permit the soil around the cinnamon tree to dry out two inches deep in between waterings. Water the tree until it is damp 1-foot deep from the trunk to the outer root zone area.
If growing the cinnamon tree in a pot, chose a planter that is between 12 to 24 inches in diameter. Make sure the drainage holes in the planter are completely open. Sphagnum peat moss and perlite are wonderful potting mixes for the spice tree. When the tree is indoors, fertilize every 10 to 12 weeks from winter to spring; do not fertilize from fall to winter. Use 2 ½ tablespoons of fertilizer per 10 inches of pot diameter. The tree should never be placed in a room that gets colder than 60 degrees.