Today's Natural Cure: Cinnamon

This article excerpt is from  greenmedinfo.com

Cinnamon's Infection and Diabetes-Fighting Properties Revealed

Cinnamon's medicinal potential is as rich and complex as its flavor and aroma, with blood sugar balancing and infection fighting top on the list.

Cinnamon is a familiar spice, but few are aware of just how diverse are its medicinal properties.  TheUS National Library of Medicine houses well over 1300 abstracts on the subject of the various forms of cinnamon's potential health benefits.

GreenMedInfo.com has gathered together research on no less than 60 potential health benefits of this highly valued spice on our research page dedicated to the topic: Cinnamon Medicinal Properties.

First, it must be clarified that there are a wide range of plants whose bark are sold as cinnamon. The first though less used form is known as Cinnamomum verum (literally "true cinnamon") and is sometimes called Ceylon (the ancient name of Sri Lanka) cinnamon, as it is named after the geographic region where it was first commonly cultivated.  Due to its rarity, it is more expensive and harder to find on the market.

Other forms include:

•  C. cassia (Cassia or Chinese cinnamon)
•  C. burmannii ( Indonesian cinnamon)
•  C. loureiroi (Vietnamese cinnamon)

One of the major differences between C. verum and varieties such as C. burmannii and C. cassia is that the latter types contain much higher levels of coumarin, a naturally occurring phytochemical with blood-thinning properties.  This has prompted European health agencies to warn against consuming large amounts of cinnamon varieties such as cassia.[i]  Natural blood-thinning activity, of course, within the proper context can be life-saving, but when mixed with already dangerous blood-thinning drugs such as aspirin, can be a recipe for disaster - all the more reason why folks using spices and herbs in 'pharmacological' or heroic doses should consult a medical herbalist, or physician with a nuanced understanding of the benefits and potential harms of using high-dose herbal therapies.

Another issue that the US buyer of spices must be fully aware of is the likelihood that unless explicitly labeled USDA certified organic the cinnamon they are purchasing was exposed to toxic levels of gamma irradiation in a controversial process known as "electronic" or "cold" pasteurization. To learn more about this serious threat to our food supply read: The Invisible Nuclear Threat in Non-Organic Food.

Lastly, be mindful of the differences between the powdered whole herb, various water or alcohol extracts, and the oil itself. Some of the studies below focus on solely the oil component (90% of the oil is the therapeutic substance known as cinnamaldehyde) whereas others use water soluble components. The information listed below is not provided as medical advice but to illustrate the vast potential natural substances have to be used in a therapeutic manner. 

Blood Sugar Disorders

Probably the most well-known health benefit of cinnamon is for blood sugar disorders.  And this is for good reason. There is now a rather substantial body of clinical and preclinical research showing that it may help to improve the condition of both type 2 and type 1 diabetics in the following ways:

•  Type 2 diabetics:  Improve fasting blood sugar,[ii] reduce glycated hemoglobin (A1C) and blood pressure,[iii] increase glucose optimization in a manner similar to metformin,[iv] [v]improve insulin signaling and sensitivity,[vi] [vii] and improve blood lipid profiles.[viii]
•  Type 1 diabetics: Protect against hypertension,[ix] protect against diabetes-associated kidney damage,[x] suppress post-meal blood sugar elevations,[xi] and contribute to ongoing reduction in blood sugar.[xii]

Infections

While there is extant folk medical lore indicating that honey mixed with cinnamon can help relieve a sore throat, or fight off infection, few realize it has been confirmed to have extensive anti-infective properties against a wide range of bacteria, viruses and fungi.

It makes sense that cinnamon bark would protect against infection, as one of the major biological functions of plant bark is defense against predation (i.e. infection).  

What follows is an impressive range of pathogens that appear to succumb to cinnamon:

•         Aspergillus niger[xiii]
•         Campylobacter Infections[xiv]
•         Candida Infection[xv]
•         Coronaviridae (SARS-associated) Infections[xvi]
•         Escherichia coli Infections[xvii]
•         H1N1 Infection[xviii]
•         Head Lice[xix]
•         HIV Infections[xx]
•         Insect Bites: Repellent[xxi]
•         Klebsiella Infections[xxii]
•         Legionnaires' disease[xxiii]
•         MRSA[xxiv]
•         Pseudomonas aeruginosa[xxv]
•         Staphylococcal Infections[xxvi]

Today's Natural Cure: Natural Treatments for MS

This article is from  naturalsociety.com

4 Natural Treatments for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis is a bit of a mystery. It is a disease that occurs when the immune system damages the myelin sheath surrounding nerves, with effects being from mild to severe. Science is truly at a loss as to why it happens, why it is more common in northern latitudes, and why the damage that occurs varies so widely. But rest assured, there are numerous lifestyle tips for preventing and treating multiple sclerosis naturally.

MS is considered an auto-immune disease, where the immune system attacks the nervous system. A definite cause is unknown, but symptoms can vary from mild (numbness, tingling, tremor, etc.) to severe (extreme weakness, loss of vision, electric-shock sensations, slurred speech, extreme fatigue, and limited mobility). Usually, the symptoms come and go. In most cases, the disease worsens with time, with periods of remission getting shorter or nonexistent as the disease progresses.

Because the disease is a bit of a mystery, so is treating it. Of course, Big Pharma has come out with prescription solutions, but they are very expensive, come with a long list of side effects, and aren’t guaranteed to work. Fortunately, many people with multiple sclerosis have found relief through natural means.

Some Potential, Natural Solutions for MS

Because the disease varies widely, so too do the solutions. MS patients are cautioned that what works for one person, may not work for them – not so surprising. However, these potential solutions have had success in many people who suffer from the potentially debilitating disease.

• 1. Practice Healthy Living - While this tip may seem vague, things like stress and lack of sleep can worsen the symptoms of MS. For that reason, it’s important to take care of yourself. Exercising regularly, meditating, and sleeping on a set schedule could help to minimize your symptoms. Don’t sit around all day, and try not to fill your day with stress and anxiety.

• 2. Eliminate Some Foods - Some foods have been shown to aggravate the symptoms of MS. These include highly processed foods, polyunsaturated vegetable oils (like those in margarine), artificial sweeteners and preservatives, and gluten. For many, eliminating grains altogether seems to lessen symptoms markedly.

• 3. Add Other Foods - Other foods have shown promise in healing the body and reducing MS symptoms. These include: foods rich in Omega-3 fats (fish, nuts, etc.), grass-fed proteins, healthy fat sources (coconut oil, olives, avocados, etc.), and fermented food and drinks (kefir, apple cider vinegar, kimchi, and sauerkraut).

• 4. Use Herbs - Anti-inflammatory herbs may help when symptoms are at their worst. Some helpful herbs and spices that are easily added to foods are turmeric, ginger, thyme, cinnamon, oregano, rosemary, and clove. Evening primrose oil, more difficult to find, may also help because of its concentration of gamma-linoleic acid, which helps optimize nervous system function.

In addition to these changes, a vitamin D supplement may help with MS. Some research suggests there is a link between low vitamin D levels and the rate at which MS patients experience relapses. The best vitamin D source is regular sunshine, however, you can also get a D3 supplement if you fear you are deficient.

Another study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry found that a cannabis extract has positive effects on the treatment of multiple sclerosis symptoms.

Natural treatments for multiple sclerosis depend mostly on living a healthy lifestyle and abstaining from highly processed and dangerous foods. This can be done with a significant amount of determination and motivation. And when the symptoms of MS are at their peak, they provide a serious amount of motivation to maintain even tough lifestyle changes.

Additional Sources:

NaturalNews/036983

MayoClinic