Vocabulary:
- culinary – connected to cooking; as a skill or art
- prevalent – existing commonly or happening frequently
- distinctive – marking something as clearly different from others
- clarify – to make something clearer or easier to understand
- conclusive – ending any doubt or uncertainty about a situation
Before putting a restaurant up, he took a Master’s Degree in Culinary Arts.
Floods have been prevalent across the area since last year.
The author has a distinctive writing style.
The teacher was able to clarify the complicated topics in the book.
There is no conclusive evidence that he is the thief.
Cinnamon is one of the typically used spices in the world of culinary arts. The use of this spice for different purposes was prevalent in the Middle Ages. Aside from pleasing people through its distinctive flavor and aroma, cinnamon was also used for other purposes not related to food. It was used to add fragrance to apparel, bedding, and essential oil. Almost all of the cinnamon plant’s parts are being used as medicine for digestive and respiratory ailments.
Nowadays, modern science is trying to clarify cinnamon’s medical benefits. According to medical experts, one of the effects of cinnamon is lowering the blood sugar level. However, there is still no conclusive evidence to prove this claim. Further scientific research is still necessary to confirm cinnamon’s efficacy as a medicine. Meanwhile, cinnamon can still be used as an essential kitchen staple.
True or False:
- Cinnamon’s use for different purposes is common in the Middle Ages.
- The inner bark is the only part of the cinnamon plant that can be used as medicine.
- Cinnamon was used to make beddings and clothes smell good.
- One of the effects of cinnamon is increasing the sugar level in the blood.
- Scientific studies have proven that cinnamon is effective to use as medicine.
Express your opinion:
- What can you say about people who use herbal medicines?
- Do you think prescription drugs are more effective than herbal medicines? Please explain your answer.
- Would you try using cinnamon as medicine although its efficacy is not yet proven? Please explain your answer.
- Do you think prescription drugs are safer to use than herbal medicines? Please explain your answer.
- Some people take herbal medicines because they are cheaper than prescription drugs. What can you say about that?
Defend your argument:
- “One of the first duties of the physician is to educate the masses not to take medicine.” – William Osler
- “All that man needs for health and healing has been provided by God in nature, the challenge of science is to find it.” – Philippus Theophrastus Bombast
- “A cough is a symptom, not a disease. Take it to your doctor and he can give you something serious to worry about.” – Robert Morley