Cinnamon

Cinnamon has many antimicrobial properties that make it a great addition to your family's diet as we head into autumn. It has been shown effective against many yeast, fungi and bacteria strains, including those that cause thrush and bad breath. In addition, it is highly effective against the antibiotic resistant strain of Staph called MRSA. The food industry has taken note of Cinnamon's properties and is starting to incorporate cinnamon oil as a food preservative. Research has also shown it is an effective blood sugar stabilizer, making it a good supplement for those with type II diabetes. There are many ways to add cinnamon to your diet. You can chew cinnamon gum, add cinnamon to your food,  or drink cinnamon tea. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, cinnamon is used for its warming abilities and given at the onset of a cold or flu to provide relief. 

References

Ouattara B, Simard RE, Holley RA, et al. (1997). Antibacterial activity of selected fatty acids and essential oils against six meat spoilage organisms. Int J Food Microbiol 37(2-3):155-62. 

Quale JM, Landman D, Zaman MM, et al. (1996). In vitro activity of Cinnamomum zeylanicum against azole resistant and sensitive Candida species and a pilot study of cinnamon for oral candidiasis. Am J Chin Med 24(2):103-9. 

VanderEnde DS, Morrow JD. (2001). Release of markedly increased quantities of prostaglandin D2 from the skin in vivo in humans after the application of cinnamic aldehyde. J Am Acad Dermatol  45(1):62-7. 

Zhu M, Carvalho R, Scher A, Wu CD. (2011). Short-term germ-killing effect of sugar-sweetened cinnamon chewing gum on salivary anaerobes associated with halitosis. J Clin Dent.  22(1):23-6.