Cinnamon
Cinnamomum verum
Synonyms: Laurus rigida, Laurus culitlaban, Laurus cassia, Cinnamomum riedelii, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. delessertii, Cinnamomum karrouwa, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. humboldtii, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. meissneri, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. inodorum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. madrassicum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. subcordatum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. biafranum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum asperifolium, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. leschenaultii, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. mauritianum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. roxburghii, Cinnamomum aromaticum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. ellipticum, Camphorina cinnamomum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. cassia, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. cordifolium, Cinnamomum maheanum var. karrouwa, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. variabile, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. cayennense, Laurus cinnamifera, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. antillanum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. boutonii, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. vaillantii, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. wolkensteinii, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. ovatum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. capense, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. erectum, Cinnamomum alexii, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. sonneratii, Cinnamomum iners, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. pourretii, Persea cinnamomum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. microphyllum, Camphora mauritiana, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. vulgare, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. bonplandii, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. zollingeri, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. bengalense, Cinnamomum carolinense var. oblongum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. sieberi, Cinnamomum cinnamomum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. commune, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. pleei, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. decandollei, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. foeniculaceum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. regelii, Laurus cinnamomea, Laurus cinnamomum makoyanum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. commersonii, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. barthii, Cinnamomum mathewianum, Cinnamomum maheanum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum chartaceum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. pallasii, Cinnamomum leptopus
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Cinnamomum verum, true or Ceylon cinnamon, is a small evergreen tree in the Lauraceae family, native to Sri Lanka and the southern Western Ghats of India. In cultivation it is usually coppiced and kept as a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree 6 to 10 metres tall, though wild specimens may reach 15 metres. The bark is smooth, pale brown and strongly aromatic; the inner bark is the source of the spice. Leaves are opposite or sub-opposite, leathery, ovate to oblong-lanceolate, 7 to 18 cm long, with three to five conspicuous longitudinal veins running from base to tip and a glossy dark green upper surface; young flushes are tinged red. Small, pale yellow to greenish, six-tepalled flowers are produced in axillary and terminal panicles, exuding a sweetish, somewhat unpleasant odour. The fruit is a small fleshy drupe, dark purple when ripe and seated in an enlarged cup-shaped perianth. Commercial cinnamon is prepared by peeling and rolling the inner bark of young coppice shoots into quills.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.