Cinnamon is a powerhouse of a spice, used in anything from sweet baked desserts to a sprinkled topping on lattes and French toast. But while it’s already well known as a delicious additive to cuisines, science has also begun to push cinnamon for its variety of health benefits. While all of the world’s supply of cinnamon comes from Asia-home to ancient medicinal practices like Ayurveda and Siddha-it should be kept in mind that not all cinnamon is equal.

Only four countries are in charge of producing the world’s cinnamon: Indonesia, China, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. However, while the first three of those produce Cassia cinnamon (also known as Chinese cinnamon), Sri Lanka is the only one to produce Ceylon cinnamon.

Cassia Cinnamon vs Ceylon Cinnamon

While cinnamon in general comes with many health benefits, ingesting too much Cassia cinnamon can actually be a bad thing. Cassia cinnamon contains coumarin, a compound that is toxic to humans in large quantities. However, Cassia cinnamon is also far cheaper to harvest, and is the cinnamon that is most readily available in most major stores in the West. If you are planning to add this spice to your regular rotation, make sure that you look specifically for Ceylon cinnamon (or true cinnamon, as it is sometimes known).

The pure Cinnamon Hot Brew from Nature’s Rare is made entirely with local, organic Ceylon cinnamon sourced in Sri Lanka. Standard cinnamon teabags that are commercially available today are, typically, teas that have been infused with cinnamon flavorings, as opposed to containing any legitimate spice. With Nature’s Rare, these teabag sachets are made with pure, organic Ceylon cinnamon, and can be safely taken on a regular basis.

So what actually happens when you habitually include cinnamon tea as part of your routine?

The Benefits of Ceylon Cinnamon Tea

1. It may help with weight loss. Drinking cinnamon tea is said to be a great way of burning body fat (along with a healthy diet and exercise), with studies showing that cinnamon promotes a smaller waistline.
2. It may reduce high blood sugar levels. With the increase in processed and packaged foods in our daily diets, finding ways to manage our blood sugar levels has become more and more crucial. Cinnamon could potentially be a solution; the spice is said to reduce our body’s resistance to insulin, which in turn increases the insulin’s effectiveness and lowers blood sugar levels. It may also prevent these levels from spiking after carb-heavy meals, by slowing down the breakdown of these nutrients in our gut.
3. It’s great for oral health. Cinnamon possesses powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties. You can make use of these effects by drinking cinnamon tea regularly, which can contribute to preventing tooth decay and potentially reducing bad breath.
4. It may help with menstrual cramps. Studies have shown that women who regularly take cinnamon during their menstrual cycle experience far less painful cramps, and potentially suffer under less nausea during this time.
5. It may fight cancer. Cinnamon may prevent the growth of cancerous cells – one study showed that when introduced to animals with colon cancer, cinnamon detoxified enzymes in the colon and prevented further growth of the cancer.
6. It lowers your risk of heart disease. There are two types of cholesterol in our blood: HDL (or “good” cholesterol), and LDL (or “bad” cholesterol). Cinnamon has been shown to maintain (and in some studies, even increase) our levels of HDL, while simultaneously lowering our levels of LDL. Heart disease is the leading cause of premature death in the world, and any steps you can take to protect your cardiovascular system are a good thing. If the answer is as easy as drinking a delicious cup of cinnamon tea, what are you waiting for?