Cinnamon
StarCinnamomum 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.
Active Constituents
(E)-Cinnamaldehyde (trans-cinnamaldehyde)
Phenylpropanoid aldehydeConcentration: Typically 50-75% of the bark essential oil (reported above 60% in young bark)
The principal aromatic constituent of the bark and the main driver of cinnamon's characteristic odour. It shows antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antihyperglycaemic activity in laboratory and animal models, and is a recognised contact allergen/dermal sensitiser at high concentration.
Eugenol
Phenylpropanoid (allylphenol)Concentration: Minor in bark oil but the dominant component of leaf oil (up to ~70-90% of leaf essential oil)
Contributes local anaesthetic, analgesic and antiseptic properties; largely responsible for the clove-like note of the leaf oil, distinguishing Ceylon cinnamon leaf oil from bark oil.
Cinnamyl acetate
Phenylpropanoid esterConcentration: Commonly 1-8% of bark essential oil
A fragrance-active ester contributing to the sweet-balsamic aroma; part of the volatile fraction with mild antimicrobial activity.
Coumarin
Benzopyranone (benzo-alpha-pyrone)Concentration: Trace in Cinnamomum verum, roughly 0.004%, versus ~1% in cassia (C. cassia/aromaticum)
Present only in trace amounts in true Ceylon cinnamon, which is the key safety distinction from cheaper cassia; high cumulative coumarin intake (from cassia) is linked to hepatotoxicity in susceptible individuals.
A-type proanthocyanidins (procyanidins)
Condensed tannins / polyphenolsConcentration: Present in the water-soluble bark fraction
Doubly-linked A-type procyanidin oligomers are the compounds most associated with the reported insulin-potentiating / glucose-lowering activity of aqueous cinnamon extracts.
Cinnamic acid
Phenylpropanoid acidConcentration: Minor constituent of bark
An oxidation product of cinnamaldehyde with antioxidant and antimicrobial activity; a marker compound of cinnamon quality.
Linalool
Monoterpene alcoholConcentration: Roughly 2-7% of bark essential oil
Contributes a floral top-note to the aroma and has mild sedative and antimicrobial activity in the volatile fraction.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Antidiabetic drugs (insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas)
Cinnamon bark, particularly its A-type procyanidins, can enhance insulin signalling and lower fasting glucose; taken with glucose-lowering medication this may be additive.
Clinical note: Patients on antidiabetic therapy who add supplemental cinnamon should monitor blood glucose, as doses may need adjustment to avoid hypoglycaemia.
Warfarin and other anticoagulants
Coumarin can potentiate anticoagulation, but Cinnamomum verum contains only trace coumarin (~0.004%), so the concern applies chiefly to cassia cinnamon consumed in large or supplemental amounts.
Clinical note: Culinary Ceylon cinnamon is not expected to affect INR; caution and INR monitoring are prudent only with high-dose cassia-based supplements.
Preparation Methods
Bark infusion / tea
Parts: Inner bark (quills)
Steep 0.5-1 g of dried Ceylon cinnamon bark or a small broken quill in a cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes. Traditionally taken as a warming, carminative digestive drink.
Powdered bark (culinary / supplement)
Parts: Dried inner bark
Ground bark used as a spice or in capsules; trials have used ~1-3 g/day. Prefer true Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) over cassia for regular or supplemental use because of its far lower coumarin content.
Essential oil (external / aromatic)
Parts: Bark, Leaf
Bark and leaf essential oils are highly concentrated. Use only well diluted for topical or aromatic purposes; undiluted cinnamaldehyde- and eugenol-rich oils are strong skin and mucous-membrane irritants and sensitisers, and are not intended for undiluted internal use.
Clinical Studies
Efficacy of cinnamon in patients with type II diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled clinical trial
In 140 type 2 diabetic patients, 500 mg cinnamon bark powder twice daily for 3 months improved anthropometric measures, glycaemic indices and lipid profile versus placebo, with the most pronounced benefit in patients with BMI >= 27.
Effects of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Ceylon cinnamon) extract on lipid profile, glucose levels and its safety in adults: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial
A randomized double-blind controlled trial evaluating standardised Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum/verum) extract on lipid profile and glucose levels in adults, with an emphasis on safety of the true-cinnamon species.
Historical Texts
Ebers Papyrus and ancient Egyptian embalming/perfumery records
c. 1550 BCEDioscorides, De Materia Medica
1st century CEJohn Gerard, The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes
1597References
- Zare R, Nadjarzadeh A, Zarshenas MM, Shams M, Heydari M. Efficacy of cinnamon in patients with type II diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled clinical trial . Clinical Nutrition (2019) [DOI]
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Cinnamon: Usefulness and Safety . NCCIH (nccih.nih.gov) (2020) [DOI]
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.
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