Ceylon Cinnamon: Daily Use, Benefits, Hacks & Fun Creative Ideas
🌿 Ceylon Cinnamon – A Sweet Spice with So Many Benefits
If there’s one spice I always have in my kitchen, it’s cinnamon. But did you know there’s more than one kind? I didn’t at first either! There’s Ceylon cinnamon (also known as true cinnamon) and Cassia cinnamon (the type most often found in supermarkets).
Here’s the difference: 
Ceylon cinnamon is lighter in colour and has a soft, delicate taste — perfect for daily use. Cassia cinnamon has a stronger, slightly harsher flavour and contains more coumarin, a natural compound that can be hard on your liver if you have too much of it over time.
So if you’re someone who adds cinnamon to porridge, smoothies, or bakes every day, it’s best to go for Ceylon cinnamon — it’s gentler and considered safer for regular use.
How Much Is Safe to Use?
A general guideline is up to 1–1.5 teaspoons (2–4 grams) of Ceylon cinnamon per day for most people.
That’s plenty to add flavour without overdoing it!
If you have liver issues, diabetes, or are pregnant, it’s always best to double-check with your doctor before taking cinnamon regularly as a supplement or tea.
🌿 Cinnamon Benefits
Ceylon cinnamon isn’t just delicious — it’s packed with goodness. Here are some of its top benefits:
Supports blood sugar balance – it may help your body use insulin more efficiently.
Contains antioxidants – great for reducing inflammation and protecting cells.
May improve gut health – it’s soothing and gently antimicrobial (able to destroy harmful microbes (small living things that can cause disease)).
Helps with circulation – cinnamon naturally warms the body.
Some studies even suggest it may support brain health and memory, though more research is apparently needed.
🪵 Cinnamon Sticks vs Cinnamon Powder
This confused me for years, so if you’ve wondered too, you’re not alone!
Cinnamon sticks are made by rolling and drying the inner bark of the cinnamon tree — yes, cinnamon literally comes from tree bark! The powder is just those sticks finely ground.
Here’s how to use each one:
Cinnamon sticks: great for stirring into tea, simmer pots, mulled drinks, or slow-cooked meals. They release flavour slowly and look beautiful in jars or decorations.
Cinnamon powder: perfect for sprinkling on oats, blending into smoothies, or baking. It gives instant flavour but can’t be reused like a stick can.
So in short: sticks are for infusing; powder is for mixing.
🎄 Cinnamon at Christmas: Scents, Crafts, and Simmer Pots
Cinnamon and Christmas just go together, don’t they? Whether it’s the smell of freshly baked biscuits, the warm scent of mulled cider, or a touch of spice in your candles, it’s one of those scents that instantly makes your home feel festive and cosy.
Try this easy Christmas idea: make your own simmer pot. It’s a natural, non-toxic way to fill your home with the smell of the season — no plug-ins or sprays needed.
Here’s how to do it:
Fill a small pot halfway with water.
Add a few cinnamon sticks, some orange peel or slices, a handful of cloves, and, if you have them, a few cranberries or a sprig of rosemary.
Bring it to a gentle simmer, then lower the heat and let it steam away.
Top up the water as needed so it doesn’t run dry.
You can also use a slow cooker if you’d rather not keep an eye on the stove — perfect for busy homes.
Your kitchen will smell wonderful — warm, spicy, and comforting. (It really does add a lot of warmth… pun intended!)
🕯 Other Fun Ways to Use Cinnamon
I’ve also used cinnamon in:
Christmas decorations (it makes wreaths smell amazing!)
Homemade body scrubs
Candles and sachets to freshen drawers
And I’m planning to try cinnamon painting, photography, and even fireworks art soon — I’ll report back once I do!
If you’d like to make this into a learning project for the kids, I’ve linked a simple, fun cinnamon science idea under Home Education → Learning Ideas.
✨ In a Nutshell
Ceylon cinnamon is the softer, safer, “true” cinnamon that’s lovely for daily use. Whether you sprinkle it in your breakfast, brew it in a pot, or turn it into festive crafts, it’s a beautiful, warming spice that adds comfort, flavour, and a touch of joy to everyday life. It certainly does for me and my home😉.
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