Herbs & Supplements:
Cinnamon
Cinnamomum zeylanicum

Principal Proposed Uses
  • Appetite Loss, Indigestion
Other Proposed Uses
  • Antimicrobial

Most Americans consider cinnamon a simple flavoring, but in traditional Chinese medicine, it's one of the oldest remedies, prescribed for everything from diarrhea and chills to influenza and parasitic worms. Cinnamon comes from the bark of a small Southeast Asian evergreen tree and is available as an oil, extract, or dried powder. It's closely related to cassia (C. cassia) and contains many of the same components, but the bark and oils from C. zeyleanicum have a better flavor.

What Is Cinnamon Used for Today?

Germany's Commission E approves cinnamon for appetite loss and indigestion; however, these uses are backed by very little scientific evidence.¹

Two animal studies suggest that an extract of cinnamon bark taken orally may help prevent stomach ulcers.^2,3

Preliminary results from test tube and animal studies suggest that cinnamon oil and cinnamon extract have antifungal, antibacterial, and antiparasitic properties.^4–10 For example, cinnamon has been found to be active against Candida albicans, the fungus responsible for vaginal yeast infections and thrush (oral yeast infection), Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers, and even head lice. However, it's a long way from studies of this type to actual proof of effectiveness. Until cinnamon is tested in double-blind human trials, we can't conclude that it can successfully treat these or any other infections.

Highly preliminary evidence also suggests that cinnamon might have antiallergic and antidiabetic properties.^11,12,13

Dosage

Typical recommended dosages of cinnamon are 2 to 4 g daily of cinnamon bark or 0.05 to 0.2 g daily of essential oil.¹⁴

Safety Issues

As a widely used food, cinnamon is believed to be safe. However, cinnamon's essential oil is much more concentrated than the powdered bark commonly used for baking. There is some evidence that high doses of cinnamon oil might depress the central nervous system.¹⁵ Germany's Commission E recommends that pregnant women should avoid taking cinnamon oil or high doses of the bark.¹⁶ Maximum safe doses in young children, nursing women, or individuals with severe liver or kidney disease have not been determined.

When used topically, cinnamon bark oil may cause flushing and a burning sensation.¹⁷ Some people have reported strong burning sensations or mouth ulcers after chewing cinnamon-flavored gum or candy.^18,19 However, these reactions disappeared within days of discontinuing the gum.

Last reviewed March 2002 by Medical Review Board

Back to Top