In the ancient world spices were the most valuable items of trade, some more valuable than gold.
Cinnamon had one of the highest values among the spices. It was prized by ancient nations and was considered a gift fit for monarchs.
There is much controversy as to why spices such as cinnamon were so highly valued. It is written that they were used to disguise the taste of the spoiled meat because there was no refrigeration.
I’m not a historian, but knowing what I do know about the power and efficacy of essential oils, I think I can surmise why the value of the spices/essential oils was so high.
It was not because they disguised the taste of the rotten and spoiled meats – it is that they prevented the meat from becoming rotten.
Essential oils, which include the spice oils like cinnamon, have the ability within them to ward off invasive pathogenic organisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungus that shouldn’t be present. At the same time, they respect the microbial terrain that should exist.
When applied to an area such as a countertop, a piece of raw meat, a person’s body, essential oils create an environment where bad microbes can’t exist.
So, it’s my thinking that spices and spice oils kept food from spoiling and consequently had the highest value.
The high value of essential oils is re-emerging today, but for different reasons. There are many therapeutic qualities to essential oils for health and healing.
Cinnamon is good for respiratory infections, bringing down high blood sugars, and beating fungus to name a few.
