Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is another aromatic plant that has been listed by others as one of the essential oils found in the bible. However in the verses where cinnamon is mentioned, nowhere can you find that it specifically indicated that its oil was used. In the book of Exodus, we could find that it is only mixed with a base oil hence there’s an oil with cinnamon on it. Scroll down below to read more about cinnamon-containing oil, as well as cinnamon varieties and their fragrance description and therapeutic properties.
1. Ingredient in the holy anointing oil
Cinnamon is included in the formula for the holy anointing oil (Exodus 30:22-25). It’s mixed with myrrh, sweet calamus, and cassia, and the base oil is olive oil.
“23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels” – Exodus 30:23
2. Merchandise in the Book of Revelation’s Babylon
Cinnamon is a perpetual merchandise. It has been a valued aromatic plant since ancient times and will continue to be traded even in the future. The book of Revelation (Revelation 18:13) tells that it will still be one of the products being sold in Babylon which refers to a symbolic perverse place. (Please note that others might think that Babylon only existed during the ancient times, but Revelation tells us that Babylon still and will continue to exist even up to the dreadful Day of the Lord.)
“13 And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.” – Revelation 18:13
3. Ingredient in perfumeries
Cinnamon was mentioned in the book of Proverbs and Songs of Solomon, both books are said to be written by Solomon. In Proverbs, it was used as a bed perfume while in the Songs of Solomon, it was one of the odorous plants in the woman’s ‘garden’.
“17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.” – Proverbs 7:17
“14 Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices” – Song of Solomon 4:14
Cinnamon varieties
To make the fragrant oil of cinnamon, its fruit and bark are used and boiled. (1) However, Cinnamon or Kinamomon as indicated in Diocscorides De Materia Medica has different kinds.
Sweet smelling cinnamon
To determine the best cinnamon, base it on the sweetness of its odor. Cinnamon that smells similar to rue or cardamom is the most special and best-smelling one. (2) Dioscorides also recommended testing it first. This kind of cinnamon might initially taste sweet and it’s odor fills the nose hence preventing you to easily detect the unpleasant undertones
Mosul which is claimed by Dioscorides as the best has a resemblance to cassia. The new and black Mosul with thin smooth shoots is aromatic. (2)
Cinnamon with a weak scent
Woody cinnamon has an inferior sweetness in scent. Bastard cinnamon otherwise known as ginger xylocinnamomum or xylowood has a weak strength or faint smell. (2)
Cinnamon with a somewhat unpleasant smell
Cinnamon that resembles red cassia bites the nose with its smell, while the worst-smelling cinnamon has an odor like frankincense, cassia, or amomum. (2)
Cassia-smelling cinnamon
Aside from Dioscoride’s claim as the worst-smelling cinnamon, the white, fungal cinnamon also smells like cassia. (2)
Other kinds of cinnamon
Other types mentioned by Dioscorides are dwarfish glittery mountain varieties of cinnamon, and cinnamon from Mosul. However, he did not describe their scent. (2)
Therapeutic properties
Due to cinnamon’s therapeutic properties it was blended with ointments. Some of the health concerns where it’s been used as a medicament are for coughs, and mucosal discharges. It is also a diuretic hence helping with urination difficulty and kidney problems. Cinnamon is warming, softening, and digestive as well. It is used as an antidote for deadly poisons or venom caused by animal bites. For women, cinnamon can help in menstrual flow. However, ingesting and applying it topically can have an abortifacient effect. It is also good for the skin as it can eliminate freckles and sunburn. (2)
With all the beneficial properties of cinnamon may it be medicinally, aromatically, or even in culinary, it’s not surprising that it has been valued from ancient times to the present and even in the future.
Identify the bests smelling ones 💋❤
References:
- Illustrated Bible Dictionary Matthew George Easton via my Bible app
- TA Osbaldeston, RPA Wood., The Herbal of Dioscorides the Greek (Modern English Version) 2000
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