Cinnamon

Cinnamon is the inner bark of a tropical evergreen tree, 10-15 meters tall, native to sri lanka and south india. Cinnamon has been known from remote antiquity, and it was so highly prized among ancient nations that it was regarded as a gift fit for monarchs and other great potentates. Cinnamon bark is widely used as a spice. It is principally employed in cookery as a condiment and flavouring material, being largely used in the preparation of some kinds of desserts, chocolate, spicy candies, tea, hot cocoa and liqueurs. In the middle east, it is often used in savoury dishes of chicken and lamb. In medicine it acts like other volatile oils and once had a reputation as a cure for colds. It has also been used to treat diarrhea and other problems of the digestive system. It is also used as an insect repellent.