Cinnamon And It’s Benefits In The Garden
Cinnamon is a spice that has been used since the days of ancient Egypt, Its health benefits are widely known. What is not so widely known is the use of cinnamon and its benefits in the garden.
What Is Cinnamon?
Famed for its medicinal properties for thousands of years, cinnamon is made from the inner bark of trees of the genus Cinnamomum. The bark is removed by cutting the stems of the tree, the inner bark is then extracted and the woody parts removed. As it dries the strips curl into rolls, these are cinnamon sticks.The sticks are ground to form cinnamon powder.
Cinnamon And Health
The distinct smell and flavour of cinnamon is due to the oil contained in the inner bark which has a high concentration of a compound called Cinnamalhyde. This compound is responsible for the powerful health effects attributed to cinnamon.
The Health Claims Attributed To Cinnamon
There are many health benefits including that cinnamon :-
- Is an antioxidant
- Is an anti inflammatory
- Reduces the risk of heart disease
- Lowers cholesterol
- Lowers blood pressure
- Lowers blood sugar
- Is anti diabetic
Cinnamon has also been linked with preventing :-
- Alzheimers disease
- Parkinsons disease
- Cancer
- HIV
Cinnamon fights many infections, helps prevent tooth decay and prevents halitosis.
Cinnamon In The Garden
So now we know a bit more about cinnamon, we can get on to the benefits of cinnamon in the garden.
Cinnamon And Garden Pests
Ants will not go near Cinnamon so if you find you have a problem with ants locate the exit to the nest and sprinkle cinnamon around the hole. The ants will go elsewhere. Fungus gnats are starved if cinnamon is sprinkled on soil where seedlings are growing. This is because the fungus is prevented from growing by the spice.
Cinnamon As A Natural Fungicide
Sprinkling cinnamon directly onto the soil of seedlings or watering seedlings with a mixture of cinnamon and water will prevent the growth of fungus. This includes large fungi like toadstools and minute fungus that cause damping off of seedlings. Powdery mildew is another common problem that is easily treated with a spry of cinnamon water.
What Is Damping Off?
According to The Royal Horticultural Society
Damping off is a disease of seedlings caused by several different fungi and fungus-like organisms. This disease causes emerging seedlings to collapse, often submerged in a mass of white fungal growth. It is particularly a problem when sowing seed indoors or under glass.
Rooting Hormone
When taking cuttings most people reach for the Hormone Rooting Powder or use willow water. Cinnamon is just as effective. Simply dip the end of the cutting in cinnamon and plant in the usual way. The cuttings will be encouraged to produce roots and be protected from fungal infections.
Plant Care And Repair
Whilst pruning or even cutting fruit or vegetables it is easy to damage the plant. Just apply cinnamon directly to the damaged area and infection will be prevented and healing promoted.
Cinnamon For Houseplants
Applying cinnamon to your houseplants either by sprinkling or added to the water will prevent annoying insects from attacking your plants. It will also prevent and cure moulds and mildews.
Conclusion
Mankind has known about the taste and the health benefits of cinnamon for many years, there are records of the ancient Egyptians using cinnamon thousands of years ago. Modern medicine and science agree with the preventative powers of this amazing spice. Now it’s time to prove it’s benefits in your own garden.
To find out more about the wonderous health benefits of cinnamon click here.
Have you used cinnamon or maybe some other spice for the benefit of your plants? Please let me know in the comments below.