One of the oldest and best known spices, cinnamon comes from the inner bark of a tree, Cinnamomum cassia, that grows over much of the world, from Egypt to India to Vietnam. Cinnamon’s characteristic flavor comes from a compound in its essential oil, cinnamonaldehyde.
Aside from its use as a spice in both sweet and savory dishes, cinnamon has long been held by many cultures to have significant health benefits. Chinese herbalists use cinnamon for colds, flatulence, nausea, diarrhea, and painful menstrual periods, as well as to improve energy, stamina, and circulation. In India, traditional healers use cinnamon for diabetes, indigestion, and colds.