Global health fads are as transient and evolving as fashion trends; there’s always a new superfood promising to improve your wellbeing, offering better benefits than the one before. Chia seeds, goraka and moringa have all been touted as miracle foods and have been used in numerous forms to help detoxify and cleanse the body, promoting overall good health. However, there is one spice that has remained a staple among wellness enthusiasts, reigning supreme among the spices, and it’s none other than Ceylon Cinnamon. Interestingly, Sri Lanka is the proud home of true Cinnamon, the miracle spice that saves lives.

Two variants of Cinnamon are popular across the world, the rare and revered Ceylon Cinnamon which is delicate and mildly sweet and the more commonly used Cassia Cinnamon, which has a strong spicy flavour and is much darker in hue. However, Ceylon Cinnamon, is considered the better spice of the two, with Cassia Cinnamon containing approximately, 250 times more coumarin than Ceylon Cinnamon. Coumarin is a natural compound that can be harmful to the human body in large doses, making Ceylon Cinnamon the preferred choice for health and wellness.

Ceylon Cinnamon, has been a ‘must have’ in every Sri Lankan kitchen, flavoring everything from a seeni-sambol to most fish and meat dishes, to making the most amazing dun-thel-buth (ghee rice). However, it's seldom recommended as a home remedy for ailments. Increased interest among global health enthusiasts has now put this overlooked kitchen staple in the spotlight, not only as a much sought after flavour enhancer, but as a life changing miracle food that could be used as part of alternate medicine.

This multifaceted spice, which is high in antioxidants is known for its therapeutic effects against diabetes and hypertension. Studies on diabetes treatment found promising results for Ceylon Cinnamon powder when used as a supplement, while laboratory studies have also indicated that Ceylon Cinnamon can reduce blood sugar spikes, increase insulin sensitivity and improve metabolic markers. It is also used as an organic remedy for digestive illnesses, menstrual discomfort, and joint aches as it contains high levels of the anti-inflammatory substance, cinnamaldehyde.

Meanwhile, research from Iran, has ranked Ceylon Cinnamon as one of the top five most effective plants, to combat urinary tract infections.  The Antimicrobial properties present in Cinnamon can help to overcome gut distress by reducing bacterial excess in the gut, while the spice is also highly effective in relieving common colds.

Recent trends have seen Cinnamon being used in morning routines, cleanses and even workout mixes. In addition, Cinnamon has become a commonly used ingredient in DIY beauty routines, with the spice being recommended to combat acne, freshen breath, sanitize hands and even aid hair growth.

Although we traditionally use Cinnamon in its stick form, it is also available as a powder, and even more conveniently in the form of steeping bags. These bags consist of ground, high quality, pure Ceylon Cinnamon and are packaged in a manner similar to tea bags.

It is recommended that you buy Cinnamon from a reputed supplier or brand that is produced by a company with proper health and safety standards. Look for the Pure Ceylon Cinnamon certification to be certain you are purchasing true Cinnamon.

Here are five everyday uses for Cinnamon to improve your health

1. The Cinnamaldehyde present in Cinnamon can kill troublesome oral bacteria. In order to achieve fresher breath, you can make a mouthwash by steeping two cinnamon bags in 1 cup of boiling water for 5 minutes, then use it as you would a regular mouthwash.

2.Some scientists believe that Cinnamon can aid hair grow by encouraging blood flow to the hair follicles and boosting circulation. Mix 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon with 1 tablespoon of honey and about a cup of olive or coconut oil to form a paste. Apply this to your scalp, let it sit for 10 minutes, then use a gentle shampoo to wash it off.

3.Cinnamon can stop acne-causing bacteria. To make this acne mask, simply combine 3 tablespoons of honey with 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon to form a paste. Leave it on your skin for 10 minutes, then wash it off.

4.Cinnamon, lemon and honey make a powerful combination that can help you lose weight and protect against all sorts of health conditions and infections. Just steep a cinnamon bag in boiling water, squeeze in a whole lemon and add some honey. You could also add other spices like cardamom, pepper, ginger or mint to the brew if you like.

5.Cinnamon oil has been shown to kill a number of common and hospital-acquired infections like Streptococcus, and E. coli. For a natural hand sanitizer use cinnamon bark, lemon essential oil and eucalyptus.