Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices— it was used for embalming in Egypt 2500 years ago. Most spices are the seed of a plant, but cinnamon is the inner layer of bark from a tree, which is dried and rolled.

Traditionally, cinnamon is regarded as a warming expectorant, used to gently reduce congestion and phlegm in the lungs, and dry up runny noses.

Adding a cinnamon stick to your ginger tea will increase its potency. Ground cinnamon can be used to flavour porridge and muesli.