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July 30 2007
Researcher Discovers Anti-Viral Properties of Cinnamon, With a Hint From the Bible

Professor Michael Ovadia, a spiritual scientist from Tel Aviv University, has signed a research and license deal on his patent-pending cinnamon extract, which has potent anti-viral properties.

He received the hunch for his breakthrough research while listening to a reading from the Old Testament. The passage explains how the High Priests would prepare a holy oil, which they applied to their bodies before making a ritual animal sacrifice. Ovadia had a hunch that this oil, which was prepared with cinnamon and other spices, was in fact a means of preventing the spread of infection to the people.

However, the cinnamon extract Ovadia has created is not equivalent to eating regular cinnamon. It is extracted from a special variety of cinnamon -- coumarin and cinnamon aldehyde, which are byproducts of cinnamon “juice.”

Dr. Ovadia’s cinnamon extract has several potential uses, including:

  • Disinfecting the air against the Avian flu in airports
  • Being used as an alternative to the flu vaccine
  • Immunizing chicken embryos against the Newcastle disease virus
  • Using it in air conditioning systems in hospitals to prevent the spread of infectious diseases

Studies on the Avian Flu H9, the Sendai virus, HIV and Herpes Simplex 1 have also achieved positive results. The extract has been found to both neutralize viruses, as well as immunize against them.

Israel21C July 22, 2007



Dr. MercolaDr. Mercola's Comments:
Cinnamon is a very powerful spice that, if you enjoy it, can make a healthy addition to your meals. Its anti-viral effects are quite significant, and even though this study used a cinnamon extract instead of the natural form, it is still very impressive that simply using this compound in hospital air conditioning systems could help prevent the spread of disease.

Cinnamon has a variety of additional health benefits that you can gain simply by using it in its natural form.

For example, just half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day was shown to significantly reduce blood sugar levels, triglycerides, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Cinnamon's other benefits include:
  • Supporting digestive function
  • Relieving congestion
  • Relieving pain and stiffness of muscles and joints
  • Anti-inflammatory compounds that may relieve arthritis
  • Helping to prevent urinary tract infections, tooth decay and gum disease
  • It's a powerful anti-microbial agent that can kill E. coli and other bacteria
And, if you’re looking for a non-toxic insect repellant, look no further. Another study found cinnamon oil to be a safe and effective pesticide and mosquito repellant.

What about the researcher’s idea to use a daily supplement of cinnamon extract as an alternative to the flu vaccine? Well, just about anything other than a mercury-laden flu vaccine is an improvement.

Of course, if you eat the right foods, reduce or eliminate grains and sugars (depending on your nutritional type), get proper sleep, exercise and nip emotional stresses in the bud, then your chance of contracting the flu in the first place is highly unlikely.

Seems to me that that is a far more solid strategy and approach.  However, if you really do enjoy cinnamon, as I do, it's great to know that it is actually good for you.


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Community Comments ( 38 )
Comment on this Article
  
  
keepsondancing
[ Joined on 03/07 ] [ Posted on July 27, 2007 ]
13 Points        
   
 
Moderator User
There's a bit of confusion generated by this article, to wit:

"the cinnamon extract developed by Ovadia has special properties that won't be found at coffee shops or in the kitchen cupboard. First of all, it comes from a special variety of cinnamon; coumarin and cinnamon aldehyde, which are by-products of cinnamon 'juice'. These are actually damaging to the liver in high quantities, and must be removed."

That sentence fragment after the semi-colon leaves the reader wondering what gozinta what. They also fail to clarify that there are two kinds of cinnamon, Cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon: the former is cheaper, is higher in coumarin, and is the one commonly available in supermarkets. And yes, coumarin is damaging to the liver. So, Gamma Girl, your point is well taken, but in the case of cinnamon, the coumarin must be removed if it is to be consumed in multigram doses, i.e. at as therapeutic level.

According to Life Enhancement, consuming multigram amounts of whole cinnamon daily could pose a health risk for some people, especially those who are already taking prescription coumarin. Consuming an aqueous extract of cinnamon poses no such risk, however, because coumarin is lipid-soluble, not water-soluble, and thus remains behind when the water-soluble components are extracted from the bark.

Hope that helps clear up the confusion!
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
boo boo
[ Joined on 05/07 ]  [ Posted on August 14, 2007]
1 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Islander, from your post of July 27, 2007, I believe you are confusing coumarin with Coumadin (Warfarin); the latter is a prescription drug, the former is not.

  
  
Rogway
[ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on July 27, 2007 ]
11 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
This guy might have ran up on something here.

The earth holds many causes and many cures. Too bad (some) types of man kind want only to produce the causes and hide the cures.

We have seen the future of medicine, and the future is food.
 [ Reply ]
  
  
mmc88121
[ Joined on 11/06 ] [ Posted on July 27, 2007 ]
7 Points        
   
 
Moderator User
Cinnamon is toxic in large amounts.  How much is a large amount?  What keeps small amounts from being toxic.  The same biochemicals are in cinnamon, irregardless of the amount.  It is when you try to separate things you get into trouble.

Mary
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Blackcurrant
[ Joined on 08/06 ]  [ Posted on July 31, 2007]
5 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola
I think you need to know what's in a plant and if it's good or not.  Not all that's natural is healthy. You would be unwise to eat yew to treat your breast cancer.  And asbestos is natural!

I'm always amazed at what some tribespeople found by trial and error, like processing cassava starch for their staple food, but you've got to beat soak and boil the poison out first.  Someone way back must have been very hungry to try that!

My point being that yes there is synergy, but sometimes you have extras in a plant that are not helpful.

I suppose we could step back further and realize that if we had a natural life/diet then we wouldn't need the medicine, or if toxic hopefully a little wouldn't hurt.  But it is now, we are here.. oh dear
 
Mercola
  
Health 1
[ Joined on 03/07 ]  [ Posted on August 15, 2007]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Yes absolutely. Here is but one exception though..... as in the castor oil versus the castor bean. The bean is highly toxic, yet the oil is beneficial for poltices as well as an aid for gentle bowel evacuattion. Symphytum (comfrey) is another herb which contains alkaloids and is beneficial, yet was removed from shelves in Canada. In large quantity over a prolonged period of time, symphytum does have the potential of adversly affecting the hepatic system. Ephedrine in Ma Huang was another catastrophy here in Canada. Yet ephedra is found in cough syrups available over the counter. While true, that a plant in it's entirety is often safer than the extracted medicinal compound(s),there are exceptions however.

Blessings

Dr. Trudy

Mercola
  
MomShap
[ Joined on 01/07 ]  [ Posted on August 26, 2007]
       
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

No such word as irregardless. Pet peeve. :-)

  
  
seg
[ Joined on 11/06 ] [ Posted on August 1, 2007 ]
3 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
We (Humans) are constantly looking for the magic bullit, and must be the most pig-headed entity on this panet. We keep isolating this compound and mixing it one garbage or with something else and hoping to land the big one -  the magic cure for all ailments......

Well nature ain't all that dumb, when she created things she most certainly tried her best to include everything we would need to complete the circle of life. All we got to do is to look around us and we'll find most anything we need, but needs and wants are two different things. Most humans are never satisifed with mere needs, no siry Bob we are not and never will be, we always want more and more, no wonder the planet is in such a mess........

For me my magic bullit consists of:
1) Taking care of my emotional health
2) Proper nutrition
3) Proper exercise
4) Good social life (good circle of family & friends)
 [ Reply ]
  
  
seg
[ Joined on 11/06 ] [ Posted on August 1, 2007 ]
2 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Excellent work by Michael Ovadia, however i hate to say it and hope i don't come across negative, but i believe If this type of cinnamon or extract is not readily available to us lay folks, then Frutarom will be the one to reap the greatest benefit from all of this....So from the projected 350 million they expect to generate by the end of 2007, watch it by the end of next year (2008) if all goes their way they could well be into the billion dollar range....Does this sound familiar ?????

In any event i most certainly welcome the natural cure(s) for these illnesses any day over Big Pharma and their synthetic concoctions.
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
know_buddy
[ Joined on 07/07 ]  [ Posted on August 14, 2007]
1 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

The water extract of cinnamon is called Cinnulin pf. There are several brands available on the Internet. The local stores have not heard of it yet. I am using Cinnabetic II with very good results.

  
  
jess_toothfairy
[ Joined on 08/07 ] [ Posted on August 14, 2007 ]
1 Points        
   
 
Novice User

i use a topical oil called "thieves" by Young Living that contains cinnamon, as well as clove, lemon, eucalyptus, and rosemary. before i board a plane, i put a little on my wrists and my neck, and so far, i haven't gotten sick. i also use it ALL the time during flu season. this is very interesting. anyone else ever use thieves?

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Katee Roux
[ Joined on 07/07 ]  [ Posted on August 14, 2007]
1 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola

Heard of it.  Young Living oils are expensive, so i've not been able to order as many as i'd like.

  
  
Yaroke
[ Joined on 09/07 ] [ Posted on September 2, 2007 ]
       
   
 
Novice User

I am diabetic. Is it safe to use the honey and cinnamon cures suggested? Is it regular jarred honey that one buys in the super market?

 [ Reply ]
  
  
Annetta7424
[ Joined on 08/06 ] [ Posted on August 15, 2007 ]
       
   
 
Novice User

To D. Jones: I know of a delicious Lebanese lentil recipe which includes cinnamon. Also, I think Moroccan cooking uses it. There is a delightful Lebanese cookbook by Ralph Nader's mom called "It Happened in the Kitchen" by Rose Nader and Nathra Nader. The lentil dish is called 'Mdardara. Bon apetit!

 [ Reply ]
  
  
Nelson Knox
[ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on August 14, 2007 ]
       
   
 
Novice User

Though cinnamon circulating in hospital or airplane air may please some, it might irritate others. Would exposure for hous or days  render it unnoticed, like living with noise on a busy street?  I enjoy the smell of cinnamon, but I also enjoy the smell of cleanliness and antiseptics in a hospital  because of its connotation.  If you are old enough, you may remember the smell of cities where horses were still ubiquitous pulling ice, milk and dray wagons. Today most of us would find the strong smell offfensive.  How long would it take to acclimate to horses en mass or to  ubiquitous cinnamon?   Perhaps the amount used to purify air would be extremely faint. Then it could be very acceptable as a replacement for antiseptics.   Does anyone know the required concentratiion?  This is important when realizing herbs are not a quick fix.  I can forsee Southwest Air advertising its daily flights between New York

and Chicago as the Cinnmom Bun run.  Equiknox@comcast.net

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
bkt
[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on August 15, 2007]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

I am allergic to cinnamon per the intradermal tests I had done.

When I eat too much of it, I break out with hives. I used to eat it almost every day before I found out.

  
  
chan23
[ Joined on 08/07 ] [ Posted on August 14, 2007 ]
       
   
 
Novice User