Platelets are constituents of blood that are meant to clump together under emergency circumstances (like physical injury) as a way to stop bleeding, but under normal circumstances, they can make blood flow inadequate if they clump together too much. The cinnaldehyde in cinnamon helps prevent unwanted clumping of blood platelets. (The way it accomplishes this health-protective act is by inhibiting the release of an inflammatory fatty acid called arachidonic acid from platelet membranes and reducing the formation of an inflammatory messaging molecule called thromboxane A2.)      Cinnamon's ability to lower the release of arachidonic acid from cell membranes also puts it in the category of an "anti-inflammatory" food that can be helpful in lessening inflammation.

Cinnamon's essential oils also qualify it as an "anti-microbial" food, and cinnamon has been studied for its ability to help stop the growth of bacteria as well as fungi, including the commonly problematic yeast Candida. In laboratory tests, growth of yeasts that were resistant to the commonly used anti-fungal medication fluconazole was often (though not always) stopped by cinnamon extracts.

 People with diabetes should also take note that cinnamon is a useful tool to help control blood sugar.

7. The World's 7 Most Potent Disease-Fighting Spices
by www.SixWise.com

8. http://www.whfoods.com/

9. ^ Kail, Robert V.; John C. Cavanaugh (2006). Human Development: A Life-span View (4, illustrated ed.). Cengage Learning. pp. 58. ISBN 0495093041, 9780495093046.

10. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbs#Culinary_herbs