Cinnamon is an evergreen tree whose dried inner bark is used as a culinary herb / spice and as a medicinal herb for people, horses and dogs. This time of year we are treated to hot apple juice with cinnamon sticks infusing within the cups; cookies and pies baked with ground cinnamon; the scent by way of cinnamon essential oil added to potpourris and wreaths about the house. The scent itself has immune boosting, antiseptic and anti-nausea properties.
Cinnamomum cassia is an inferior spice that should not be used for dogs.
Proper cinnamon added to dog diets can help regulate blood sugar (!), relieve nausea and help stop diarrhea. From a pinch for a tiny dog to a teaspoon fed to a very large dog - Cinnamon can be added (ground) to the daily food for 1 week for digestion and up to 9 months to regulate blood sugar (it is adaptogenic, it normalizes either high or low conditions). It can be baked into biscuits as well.
Horses with conditions like Cushing's Syndrome can be helped with the addition of half ground Cinnamon, half ground Fenugreek seeds to the ration - about 1 tablespoon daily. Horses prone to gassiness or flatulent colic can be aided by a half Cinnamon, half Fennel seed mixture fed daily 1 to 2 teaspoons.
People benefit from Cinnamon regularly in the diet to regulate blood sugar, aid digestion, stimulate warmth in the body and energize the system. It is astringent, helping ease loose bowels; is useful to stop vomiting.
Try cinnamon sticks in hot chocolate, hot apple juice or cider, even in a cup of hot black tea (very good).
The FDA has not evaluated these statements. Never use essential oil of Cinnamon directly on the skin! If you or an animal have blood sugar irregularities - consult with a holistic health practitioner; balance needs to be returned!
