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7 Unconventional Uses of Cinnamon

I know you probably have many sweet and savory delicious recipes that calls for cinnamon. Considering the deep history of cinnamon, it may seem as if you've already learned everything there is to know about this common household ingredient. But think again!

Here are some of the non conventional uses of cinnamon.

1. Soothe Neck Soreness

Cinnamon sticks have aromatherapeutic properties that can help ease soreness in your neck and shoulders. And the best way to take advantage of them is to put a few into a homemade heating pad.
Fill a clean tube sock three-quarters full with white rice, then add two cinnamon sticks and a tablespoon of whole cloves. Seal the sock closed, then microwave it for two minutes. Drape the warmed pad around your neck for a soothing treatment for soreness and aches. Continue reheating and reusing the heating pad until the spices lose their fragrance, then make a new one.

2. Treat Bug Bites

Due to its anti-inflammatory effects, cinnamon makes a useful treatment for bug bites and other minor skin irritations. Mix a bit of ground cinnamon into a bit of honey and spread it over the affected area. The combination of soothing honey and anti-inflammatory cinnamon will help soothe and heal the bite.

3. Aid Digestion

Cinnamon is a carminative spice, meaning it may help relieve digestive problems like bloating and gas. Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon into your food or a cup of coffee after a meal to help with digestion. You can also suck on a piece of a cinnamon stick for the same effect.

4. Soothe Nausea

The antioxidants found in cinnamon can help soothe an upset stomach (when consumed in small doses.) Make a simple “cinnamon tea” by boiling 1 cinnamon stick in 1 cup of water for 10 minutes. Strain, then drink warm.

5. Erase Scuffs & Scratches

Use cinnamon to erase scrapes, scuffs, and scratches on wooden furniture. Rub a pinch of ground cinnamon on the scuffed area, and watch it disappear.

6. Deter Ants

Ants hate cinnamon, so you can use it around the house to help keep them at bay. Place a cinnamon stick in a sachet and place it in a cabinet to deter ants. You can also sprinkle ground cinnamon over areas where you’ve spotted ant activity. In addition to deterring ants, it will also make your kitchen smell nice.

7. In Your Car

Use cinnamon as an air freshener in your car, and experience some great added benefits! The scent of cinnamon has been shown to improve alertness and reduce anxiety, so you can have a less stressful commute.

5 Nigerian Recipes Everyone Needs To Try

Consisting of delicious stews, starchy vegetables, and aromatic spices all around, Nigerian cuisine is home to some of the tastiest savory flavors in the world.
Whether you're looking to cook more or you are a food explorer like me, here are some of the highly rated Nigerian dishes you should try.

1. Jollof Rice

This recipe is made with mainly tomatoes, onions, scotch bonnets, and chili pepper though there are endless variations to this recipe.
Your party is not complete if there is no jollof rice. It is often served with moi moi, plantain or salad as sides. This is a signature regional dish, and the recipe with which many West African communities — and countries — like to stir up friendly rivalries.

2. Pounded yam
Another 5 star party favorite. Traditionally, pounded yam is made by peeling and cutting yam in bit sizes, then boiled till very soft. The boiled yam is then transferred to a cleaned mortar and pounded with pestle until a creamy, dough-like consistency is achieved. However, you can make them with a hand mixer, a blender, or yam flour but the natives will tell you that you are doing a disservice to the yam with those methods.
3. Pepper Soup

It's one of my favorites on a raining day. This liquid and spicy soup is traditionally made with goat meat, but often with fish or other meat, as well as aromatic herbs and spices. The key herb and spice are Uda, Ehuru, Alligator pepper seed and Uzizia seed and scent leaf. There are different variant to pepper soup making. In my opinion goat meat pepper soup is the king of all pepper soups.
4. Efo Riro

A rich green leafy vegetable stew usually made with efo shoko, scotch bonnets, red bell peppers, iru ( locust bean) and palm oil.
"Efo Riro," which roughly translates to "stirred fried vegetable," and it's a popular Yoruba delicacy.

5. Egusi Soup

Egusi Soup or melon seed as it's locally called is a rich and savory soup made with ground melon seeds and leafy vegetables. The vegetables can be substituted with one another, its all about preference. The commonly used vegetables are: bitterleaf, fluted pumpkin (Ugu), shoko, uziza leaf and water leave. There is a distinct taste in this dish due to the higher proportion of melon seeds and leafy vegetables sparingly used .

Different tribes have different cooking pattern. You can try out the different types of egusi dishes to choose the one you like best. I prefer the lumpy (eggy) pattern of cooking.