Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 9, 2005, at 7:50:03
In reply to Re: cinnamon must be psychoactive » linkadge, posted by Larry Hoover on December 8, 2005, at 18:00:34
Hey there!
Just found out something interesting about cinnamon - there are two types see below copied from wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon
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In the media, "cinnamon" has been reported to have remarkable pharmacological effects in the treatment of type II diabetes. However, the plant material used in the study [5] was actually Cassia, as opposed to true cinnamon. The confusion in nomenclature is described below. Please refer to Cassia's health issues for more information about its health benefits.
Cinnamon and cassia
The name cinnamon is correctly used to refer to Ceylon Cinnamon, also known as "true cinnamon" (from the botanical name C. verum). However, the related species Cassia (Cinnamomum aromaticum) is sometimes sold labeled as cinnamon, distinguished from true cinnamon as "Indonesian cinnamon" or "Bastard cinnamon". Ceylon cinnamon, using only the thin inner bark, has a finer, less dense and more crumbly texture, and is considered to be a stronger and more pungent spice. Cassia is generally a medium to dark reddish brown, and as the whole bark is used, is thicker (2-3 mm thick) and hard and woody in texture.
The two barks when whole are easily distinguished, and their microscopic characteristics are also quite distinct. When powdered bark is treated with tincture of iodine (a test for starch), little effect is visible in the case of pure cinnamon of good quality, but when cassia is present a deep-blue tint is produced, the intensity of the coloration depending on the proportion of cassia.
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Interesting, I wonder which is more psychoactive? And which is usually found in shops etc? hmmmmm I might go buy some later on.....
poster:Meri-Tuuli
thread:586565
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20051208/msgs/587209.html