Exodus 30:23 Then the Lord told Moses to collect the choicest of spices—eighteen pounds of pure myrrh; half as much cinnamon and of sweet cane…. [Living Bible translation]
Exodus is the second book of the Christian and the Jewish Bible. “Exodus” means a mass departure. This Old Testament book tells how Moses under the physical and spiritual direction of GOD caused the mass departure of the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery. Exodus is also a story about a people in transition. Exodus is about liberation, dedication, re-education, faith, commitment and covenant.
Exodus 30 contains a discussion of the Altar of Incense. The Lord instructs Moses to collect a number of choice spices which skilled perfume makers were to compound into a holy anointing oil to anoint the Tabernacle of GOD, the Ark, the table, all the instruments at the altar and those who would minister to GOD as priest. Cinnamon was one of those anointing spices.
The continuing burning incense was to be symbolic of the people’s prayers to GOD—without ceasing and pleasing to GOD.
Interesting Facts About Cinnamon
Besides being a spice mentioned in the Bible (Exodus 30:23; Proverbs 7:17; Revelations 18:13), there are a number of other interesting facts about Cinnamon:
- Cinnamon was used as an embalming agent in ancient Egypt.
- To demonstrate his remorse for killing his wife, Emperor Nero ordered that a year’s supply of cinnamon be burnt at her altar.
- During Roman times cinnamon was a very valuable spice. During that time it was probably 15 times more valuable than silver.
- During the 17th Century the Portuguese and the Dutch had cinnamon wars.
- Cinnamon has been used to repel ants.
See, “Cinnamon, Ten Fun Facts,” by Chloe Thompson, www.webmd.com,
Benefits of Cinnamon
According to www.whfoods.com, cinnamon has the following health benefits:
- Cinnamon Boosts Brain Function-
Not only does consuming cinnamon improve the body's ability to utilize blood sugar, but just smelling the wonderful odor of this sweet spice boosts brain activity!
Research led by Dr. P. Zoladz and presented April 24, 2004, at the annual meeting of the Association for
Chemoreception Sciences, in Sarasota, FL, found that chewing cinnamon flavored gum or just smelling cinnamon enhanced study participants' cognitive processing. Specifically, cinnamon improved participants' scores on tasks related to attentional processes, virtual recognition memory, working memory, and visual-motor speed while working on a computer-based program. Participants were exposed to four odorant conditions: no odor, peppermint odor, jasmine, and cinnamon, with cinnamon emerging the clear winner in producing positive effects on brain function. - Cinnamon Improves Calcium and Fiber, Colon Health and Helps to Protect Against Heart Disease-
In addition to its unique essential oils, cinnamon is an excellent source of the trace mineral manganese and a very good source of dietary fiber, iron and calcium. The combination of calcium and fiber in cinnamon is important and can be helpful for the prevention of several different conditions. Both calcium and fiber can bind to bile salts and help remove them from the body. By removing bile, fiber helps to prevent the damage that certain bile salts can cause to colon cells, thereby reducing the risk of colon cancer. In addition, when bile is removed by fiber, the body must break down cholesterol in order to make new bile. This process can help to lower high cholesterol levels, which can be helpful in preventing atherosclerosis and heart disease. For sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome, the fiber in cinnamon may also provide relief from constipation or diarrhea. - A Warming Remedy –
In addition to the active components in its essential oils and its nutrient composition, cinnamon has also been valued in energy-based medical systems, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, for its warming qualities. In these traditions, cinnamon has been used to provide relief when faced with the onset of a cold or flu, especially when mixed in a tea with some fresh ginger. - Diabetes (?) – Whether cinnamon can help control blood sugar is a matter of debate.
According to www.mayoclinic.com:
One study published in 2009 found that cinnamon taken twice a day for 90 days improved hemoglobin A1C levels — a reflection of average blood sugar level for the past two to three months — in people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes* (hemoglobin A1C levels greater than 7 percent).
More research is needed to confirm these findings and determine how cinnamon supplementation leads to these benefits.
*Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent form of the disease, accounting for 90 to 95% of all diabetes cases in America.2 Unlike type 1
diabetes where destruction of the pancreas reduces and eventually stops the supply of the hormone insulin, most people with type 2 diabetes are still able to produce insulin at diagnosis. People of African American, American Indian, Asian American, Latino and Pacific Islander background are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. See, www.dlife.com.
WARNING
People with certain conditions should be careful about ingesting cinnamon as a supplement. Web.MD warns that people with liver damage should be careful because ingestion of cinnamon may increase liver problems. Also because cinnamon may lower blood sugar, Web.MD recommends exercising caution when combining cinnamon with other supplements that lower sugar levels including: alpha lipoic acid; bitter melon, chromium, fenugreek, garlic, horse chestnut, Panax, Siberian ginseng and psyllium:
The same holds true with diabetes medications. If you and your doctor decide cinnamon is right for you, pay close attention to your blood sugar levels. Let your doctor know if your blood sugar levels fall too low. Taking cinnamon with drugs that affect the liver may increase the risk of liver problem. If you are taking any medication talk to your doctor before taking cinnamon.
See, www.webmd.com.
How to Enjoy Cinnamon
On Raw Foods Days:
- Cinnamon Tea or add a cinnamon stick to steeping tea
- Stimulate digestion by chewing on a cinnamon stick (this helps to stimulate enzymes for digestion)
- Natural air freshener (you can create your own potpourri by combining fresh lavender, orange peel,
dried lemon, and cinnamon stick). - Create a wonderful Christmas aroma by brewing cinnamon tea and/or apple juice and cinnamon. You can also combine cinnamon and cloves in boiling water.
On Non-Raw Food Days:
- Sprinkle over oatmeal
- Sprinkle over yogurt
- Sprinkle over toast
- Sprinkle over baked fruit (e.g. apples, bananas,etc.)
- Add to sugar free cider
- Add to unsweetened applesauce
- Sprinkle on sliced or mashed sweet potato
- Sprinkle in warm soy milk or rice milk
- Add to grain cereal
- Add to pumpkin/sweet potato puree (also soups)
- Add to muffin, bread, scone recipes
The Sweet Fragrance of Prayer
Wednesdays is a reminder that we are GOD’s people. It is a reminder that we are GOD’s priests. Like cinnamon, we should sprinkle our prayers liberally over ourselves and others. No one should be left out.
Unlike the effects of cinnamon on diabetes, with prayer, there is no debate. Prayer works! Prayer can change things. Prayer is a way to love everyone, whether “they” know we are praying for them or not.
Today, sprinkle your prayers liberally and vigorously.
Have a powerful, prayerful day and BE BLESSED!
