6 uses for cinnamon

We all have cinnamon in our pantry for putting in cakes and sprinkling on desserts and hot chocolate. But did you know that this spice has great anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties? Here are some great uses for cinnamon in your home:
• Soak your feet in it to get rid of athlete’s food. Simply add two cinnamon sticks to 2 litres of boiling water and let steep. Soak feet in this every night.
• Make your own bronzer by combining powder and cocoa with cornflour until you have a colour you like. Add some plain, unscented lotion and mix well. Store in a clean jar with a lid.
• Get rid of ants by sprinkling some along windowsills and anywhere there is an ant trail.
• Make a diffuser by mixing ¼ cup olive oil with 25 drops of cinnamon essential oil in a glass container with a narrow opening. Place five reed diffuser sticks (available from craft stores) in the container. Refresh every few days of simply turn the sticks over.
• Drink cinnamon tea to relieve pain, sore muscles and help you to relax. This is also good for an upset stomach. Simply break up a cinnamon stick or put 1 tsp powdered cinnamon into a mug. Pour on boiling water, cover with a saucer and leave to steep for 10 minutes before drinking.
• Make a lovely fragrant cleaner by combining 1 1/2 cups white vinegar with 1 ½ cups water and 30 drops of cinnamon essential oil.
Some tips from our readers:
Julie said: “Just wanted to share that my mother has 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 Tbsp honey mixed into a paste each morning which has eliminated the aches in her hands from osteoarthritis that she had put up with for years.”
Delwyn said: “Another use for cinnamon (works better as a stick, but powder sprinkled also does the trick) is in the sand pit for the littlies, it stops the biting things (midgies?) from biting. I’ve tried it and strangely it works!”
Jennie said: “Did you know that cinnamon also reduces cholesterol?
Mix a tsp with a Tbsp of honey and use as a spread…eat everyday. I spread mine on low fat rice cakes!”
And Barbara asked if it was okay to use powdered cinnamon instead of a stick of cinnamon in a footbath. I think 1Tbsp should be about the right amount.