The homology of medicine and food is an important concept in traditional Chinese medicine, which advocates that medicine and food have a common **. Among the many Chinese medicinal materials, cinnamon is such a typical example, it is not only widely used as a spice in cooking, but also a Chinese herbal medicine with rich medicinal value.
Cinnamon bark, also known as cinnamon, is found in the dried inner skin of the cinnamon tree, which is finely processed for edible and medicinal purposes. Its main components include volatile oils (such as cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, etc.), phenolic compounds, and small amounts of coumarin and tannin, among others. These ingredients give cinnamon its unique aroma and taste, and also make it biologically active.
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, cinnamon has a pungent and warm taste, which is attributed to the spleen, kidney, and heart meridians. It has the effect of warming the meridian and dissipating cold, promoting qi and activating blood, and relieving pain, and is often used for symptoms such as cold condensation dysmenorrhea, cold pain in the waist and knees, and yang deficiency and edema. Modern research has also shown that the active ingredients in cinnamon have various effects such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant and hypoglycemic.
In our daily lives, we can apply cinnamon to a variety of dishes, whether it is stewed soups, porridge or making pastries and drinks, the right amount of cinnamon can add flavor. For example, the classic eight-treasure rice, Siwu soup or cinnamon tea that warms up the body in winter are inseparable from this seasoning. At the same time, cinnamon bark is also one of the essential ingredients for making five-spice powder, and it is almost an indispensable seasoning at home for friends who like to cook.
It is important to note that although cinnamon has certain medicinal properties, it is not suitable for everyone. Due to its warm nature, people with strong fire and unclear fever in the body should use it with caution. In addition, pregnant women should be particularly cautious in the use of medicines to avoid adverse health effects due to improper use of medicinal herbs. As a medicinal and edible substance, cinnamon bark has a wide range of applications in traditional Chinese medicine and modern life. We should correctly understand its medicinal value and reasonably integrate it into the daily diet, in order to achieve the dual effects of health care and **.
While enjoying the delicious taste and benefits brought by cinnamon, we should not neglect the proper maintenance of the body, after all, the wisdom of medicine and food lies in balance and moderation.