The Cinnamon Tree.
Cinnamon.
A LARGE tree frequent in the East, and not unlike the bay-tree in its flowers, fruit, leaves, or manner of growth; only larger. The bark is rough on the trunk, and smooth on the branches; it has little taste while fresh, but becomes aromatic and sharp, in that degree we perceive, by drying. The leaves are of the shape of bay leaves, but twice as big; the flowers are small and whitish; the berries are little, oblong, and of a bluish colour, spotted with white.
The root of the cinnamon tree smells strongly of camphire, and a very fine kind of camphire is made from it in the East; the wood is white and insipid. The leaves are fragrant.
The root is the only part used, and this is an excellent astringent in the bowels; it is cordial and good to promote appetite: it also promotes the menses, though it acts as an astringent in other cases.
