Cinnamon- facts, benefits, uses

Cinnamon comes from:
Cinnamon sticks, also called "quills," are the dried bark of an evergreen tree.

Strangest use of cinnamon:
Cinnamon was used as an embalming agent in ancient Egypt.

Saddest use of cinnamon:
To show his remorse for killing his wife, Roman Emperor Nero ordered that a year's supply of cinnamon be burned at her funeral.

The price of cinnamon:
In Roman times, cinnamon was very valuable, perhaps up to more than 15 times more costly than silver.

Cinnamon wars:
The high demand for cinnamon started a war in the 17th century between the Dutch and the Portuguese over the island of Ceylon -- where much of the pungent spice is grown.

Nutritional benefits of cinnamon:
 1) One teaspoon of ground cinnamon contains 1.4 grams of fiber. The spice is also a good source of calcium and iron.

2) According to preliminary research, up to a teaspoon of cinnamon with food can reduce blood sugar levels.


Cinnamon bug spray:
Cinnamon and other strong-smelling spices have been used to repel ants.