Cinnamon - Side Effects and Benefits

Botanical Name of Cinnamon: Cinnamomum verum.

Other Common Names:
Cassia, Ceylon cinnamon, kayu manis, canela, vayana.

Habitat:
It requires hot and humid tropical weather and though native to South India and Sri Lanka, it is widely grown in countries such as China, Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia.

Plant Description:
Cinnamon is an evergreen tree which attains the height of about 10-17 meters. It has strong branches , a stout trunk that is 30-60 centimeters in diameter and a thick bark. The tree bears small white flowers; the fruits are oval berries that are blue in colour, with white spots and its shiny green leaves are stiff and leathery.

Plant Parts Used:
Inner and outer Bark, Leaves.

Cinnamon Leaves (Cinnamomum verum)
(Click on image to enlarge)
Attribution: L. Shyamal

Cinnamon Supplements

Cinnamon (Cinnulin-PF) (125 mg) by Vitabase Cinnamon Sticks 6 Inch - 4 oz by Starwest Botanicals

Therapeutic Uses of Cinnamon and Claims

• Cinnamon has been in use as a culinary spice and a medicinal herb, ever since the ancient times. It was used in cooking for its flavor and also to prevent food from going bad. Even today, the bark is a widely used cooking ingredient all over the world. It is used to add a hint of spice to desserts, teas, candies and also in many dishes in Middle Eastern and Asian cooking.

The Medicinal Herb Cinnamon
(Cinnamomum verum)
• The medicinal uses of cinnamon are many. It is used to improve digestion and also to provide relief from many digestive disorders such as diarrhoea, flatulence and nausea. Studies have shown that cinnamon has the ability to regulate blood sugar and this property makes it useful as an herbal treatment for diabetes. According to a study, just 2.5 ml of cinnamon a day reduced the level of blood sugar in those suffering from type 2 diabetes. It also reduced levels of triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and the total cholesterol.
• It is also effective in eradicating yeast infections that have become immune to other medications.
• Consumption of cinnamon generates warmth in the system and as such is useful for people who have cold feet and hands. Cinnamon is also beneficial for those suffering from arthritis. A study was carried out in which arthritis patients were given one tablespoon of honey with half a teaspoon of cinnamon in powdered form, every day before breakfast. The participants in the study reported a significant reduction in the pain in a very short period of time.
• It also helps get rid of common cold, flu and headaches. Also, cinnamon has anti fungal and anti bacterial properties and is effective against the E.Coli bacteria that cause contamination in food. Topical applications prepared with cinnamon are used for healing minor skin infections.
• The essential oil of the leaves has a warm and spicy fragrance that not only purifies the air but also reduces drowsiness and irritability. It also serves as an herbal aphrodisiac and an anti depressant. However, the oil is to be used only for the aroma and it is not meant for internal or external use.

Dosage and Administration

For digestive ailments, consumption of cinnamon bark tea three times a day is recommended. The tea can be purchased or easily made at home by pouring hot water over one teaspoon of cinnamon bark.

Potential Side Effects of Cinnamon

Cinnamon bark tea is relatively safe and rarely causes any side effects. However, those with ulcers must not consume cinnamon in large doses, as it may irritate the stomach lining. Pregnant women should also avoid cinnamon. The essential oil should not be ingested and if it is undiluted, should not be applied directly on the skin.

Leave a Comment or Tips on Cinnamon

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Name: Stephanie
E-mail: freemakes210@yahoo.com
Date posted: December 11, 2011 - 01:12 am
Message: I started drinking cinnamon tea that I make at home. Its been two days today and I feel totally awesome...keep in mind I have been sick for two weeks and suffered from headaches which dont seem to go away.....I woke up headache free for the first time in a long time...

Name: Laura
E-mail: Private
Date posted: April 17, 2011 - 03:57 pm
Message: Thank you for all the great information! I read somewhere that it also makes a great natural exfoliant!

Name: Marianne
E-mail: msmarianne@live.com
Date posted: December 24, 2010 - 12:14 pm
Message: For me, cinnamon works as an appetite depressant as well. I was drinking lots of cinnamon flavored coffee and found that my appetite the rest of the day was very minimal. Recently I started taking 1,000mg capsules of cinnamon and have found that it definitely does suppress the appetite! Bonus!

Name: rita
E-mail: Private
Date posted: January 27, 2012 - 07:02 am
Message: I started making tea (2 gal water,8 cinnamon stix, 1 cut up vanilla bean simmered for two hours)and had 8 oz a day, hot or cold; I lost 6 lbs in 1 month and not really dieting, I ate the same ol stuff I usually do...the tea was the only change.

Name: Amos
E-mail: Private
Date posted: January 29, 2012 - 11:14 pm
Message: Thank you for the wonderful information on cinnamon, I have started using cinnamon and have seen great improvements in sugar levels.

"When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied."
Herophilus