Amy Fernandez on thu 11 mar 04

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Or moisten the bulbs and roll around in cinnamon ;-D

Cinnamon Fix
( Cinnamon as a natural fungicide for orchids)
When watering in a hurry, Jan Markey of Kansas sometimes =
unintentionally allowed moisture to collect on her orchids' leaves and =
stems. The sitting water would cause soft spots, mold and discoloration, =
and her orchids definitely showed signs of suffering.

But Anne found a sweet solution to her problem. After pinching off =
the moldiest leaves, she lightly spritzed the plant with water. Then she =
took ordinary ground cinnamon - a natural fungicide - and dusted it on =
the orchid's stem and foliage. Within a few days, the rot had dried up =
and the wounds had sealed.

Now at the first sign of disease, Anne gives her orchids a =
sprinkle. They've never looked better!
- From Garden Gate Issue 37

Cinnamon (food grade; can be purchased in bulk at places like Sam's
Club or bulk food stores)

Effective for wide range of fungal problems on orchids including
crown rot on phals.

Mist foliage and sprinkle on or make a paste and brush on. One post
I saved said they used hydrogen peroxide to mix with the cinnamon;
others use water.

=========
Retail strength Hydrogen Peroxide is effective for less extreme
problems (superficial mold and fungus; bacterial infections on
leaves, etc.

========

Cinnamon Sticks it to Diabetes

Recent studies are beginning to show that cinnamon may be much more than =
a simple spice to spruce up your morning toast. Richard Anderson at the =
US Department of Agriculture's Human Nutrition Research Center in =
Beltsville, Maryland stumbled upon a potential natural diabetic remedy =
while looking at the effects of common foods on blood sugar. His =
research is showing that as little as a half teaspoon of cinnamon a day =
may significantly reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics.

True cinnamon, or Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, is the inner bark of a small =
evergreen tree native to Sri Lanka. The leaves are large and oblong in =
shape, with greenish flowers arranged in small clusters. Most commercial =
ground cinnamon is actually a close relative of cinnamomum zeylanicum =
called Cassia (Cinnamomum aromaticum or cinnamomum cassia.) Cassia has a =
stronger flavor and therefore requires smaller amounts for flavoring; =
thus making it the more commonly used cinnamon.

Both cinnamon and cassia are harvested from the bark of a tree in the =
laurel family. The bark is peeled from the trees during the rainy season =
and left to dry and ferment for 24 hours. Then the outer layer of the =
bark is scraped off, which leaves the inner, lighter bark that curls =
into the "cinnamon sticks" as we recognize them. True cinnamon quills or =
sticks are curled in a telescopic form, while cassia quills curl inward =
from both sides, like a scroll. Ground cinnamon is more difficult to =
distinguish from ground cassia; true cinnamon is tan in color with a =
warm, sweet flavor, whereas ground cassia is a reddish brown, usually =
coarser in texture, with a bitter, stronger flavor.

Richard Anderson's studies have begun to show that cinnamon enhances the =
ability of insulin to metabolize glucose, helping to control blood sugar =
levels. Cinnamon contains the antioxidant glutathione and a type of =
flavonoid called MHCP (methylhydroxy chalcone polymer). It is believed =
that cinnamon makes fat cells much more responsive to insulin, the =
hormone that regulates sugar metabolism and thus controls the level of =
glucose in the blood. Although more research is needed, the researchers =
are hoping they've found a natural remedy for diabetes. Cinnamon is a =
carminative, an agent that helps break up intestinal gas that has =
traditionally been used to combat diarrhea and morning sickness. And =
cinnamon also has antiseptic and astringent properties.

So, aside from tasting great in a variety of foods, cinnamon is good for =
you too. It can be used in any savory, as well as sweet dish. Try adding =
a dash to your favorite pasta, fish, beef, pork, chicken, beverage, and =
of course dessert. Remember, just a half teaspoon of cinnamon a day may =
produce fantastic health results.

Need some great ideas for dinner tonight? Try this link for some great =
cinnamon recipes: www.homecooking.about.com.

Some other great cinnamon suggestions from Creativehomemaking.com are:

1. For diarrhea, mix 1 to 3 tsp Cinnamon into 1 cup hot water and steep =
for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain & drink.
2. A sprinkling of cinnamon can be a quick fix for a small cut. It may =
not only stop the sting, but help it heal faster too. Wash the cut =
thoroughly, pat dry, and sprinkle with powdered cinnamon before =
bandaging.
3. Sprinkle Cinnamon in with coffee grounds before brewing.
4. Sprinkle on chicken noodle soup for added flavor and instant cold =
remedy.
5. Sprinkle on frozen vanilla yogurt or ice cream.
6. Mix in with regular vanilla yogurt (not frozen) and eat plain or use =
as a topping for pancakes, bagels, etc.
7. Put Cinnamon around plants to kill mold. There is a naturally =
occurring fungicide in cinnamon called ortho-methoxyannamaldehyde. =
Researchers in Tokyo have found that fungi refuse to grow on cinnamon =
even under optimum temperature and humidity.
8. Combine Cinnamon with chocolate when making chocolate cake, puddings =
or hot chocolate.
9. Add 1 tsp Cinnamon with dry cream and instant coffee, put in the =
blender with hot water and drink.
10. Use on fish before frying, it helps eliminate odor.
11. Put Cinnamon on stored potatoes to keep potatoes from sprouting.
12. Mix Cinnamon with baking soda and use as a carpet freshener before =
vacuuming.
13. Dust your hamburger roll or bun very lightly with Cinnamon. Tastes =
Great!
14. Fruit on the grill. Grill fresh slices of apples, peaches or =
pineapple and before serving, sprinkle with a dash of Cinnamon.
15. Cinnamon is particularly good with lamb in Indian curries and =
various Greek dishes. Use it in beef stews & chili. Try it with grains =
such as rice pilaf, couscous and pearl barley as well as legumes like =
lentils and split peas.

Resources:
-Cooking Light. June 1998. McCoy, Bill. "Cinnamon Roles: This world =
famous spice is finally making its American breakaway from the confines =
of toast and sticky buns." (pg. 75-79.)
-http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/aa042798.htm
-http://www.virgils.biz/commentary_detail.asp?Directory_id=3D25&article_i=
d=3D47
-http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/jul00/cinn0700.htm
-http://www.toolsforhealing.com/CD/Articles/C/CinnamonGreatforType2Diab.h=
tml
-http://www.creativehomemaking.com/articles/010403g.shtml
-http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=3Dns99994413

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