Botanical Name: Cinnamomum cassia
Systems Used: Kidney, spleen, heart and liver
Action: Pungent, sweet and hot.
Functions: Tonify the kidneys, dispel cold and stop pain, promote circulation

A member of the laurel family, cinnamon trees grow in a number of tropical areas, including parts of India, Madagascar, Brazil and the Carribean (Truestar Health). Cinnamon is from the bark of a small tropical evergreen tree. Its soft reddish brown bark and young twigs are cut and allowed to ferment in the field before being dried. Herbal medicine uses the dried inner bark and the oil distilled from the bark and leaves.

The smell of cinnamon stimulates the senses yet calms the nerves. It relieves nausea and vomiting and, since it’s a mild astringent, may help infantile diarrhea. The essential oil is a powerful antibacterial, anti-fungal, and uterine stimulant. Cinnamon, with its sweet and pungent flavor, is also commonly used to flavor less tasty herbs.

Health conditions that may benefit from cinnamon:

There’s a good reason why cinnamon is used in chewing gum and toothpaste. It’s antiseptic properties help fight tooth decay and gum disease.

As a topical wash, cinnamon prevents and cures fungal infections such as athlete foot.

By normalizing blood flow, cinnamon may help reduce uterine bleeding by stimulating blood flow away from the uterus.

Cinnamon may help prevent the spread of liver cancer. Compounds in cinnamon are proven to deactivate plasmin, a substance that allows cancer cells to spread.

Cinnamon relieves intestinal gas by preventing the buildup of inflammatory chemicals in the digestive tract. It also helps prevent stomach ulcers from forming without interfering with the production of gastric acid.

People with little physical activity, who eat too many cooling foods, or are overexposed to a cold environment may benefit from the warming effects of cinnamon.

A recent study of people with Type 2 Diabetes indicates that cinnamon may help lower blood glucose levels by 18 to 29 percent and lower cholesterol. Cinnamon’s effect on blood sugar was attributed to proanthocyanidin, an active ingredient that increases the sensitivity of insulin receptors

Contraindications:
There are no well known drug interactions with cinnamon. The German Commission E mongraph does not recommend its use by pregnant women. Phyllis Balch cautions that people with prostate problems should avoid cinnamon as should people who are allergic to balsam of Tolu.

Preparations, best form of delivery:
A tea can be prepared by boiling ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder for ten to fifteen minutes (Truestar Health).
Cinnamon oil applied to the skin may cause redness and burning. It is recommended that the oil not be consumed. Ingested, cinnamon oil may cause nausea, vomiting and possibly kidney damage (Viable Health Solutions).

Therapeutic use and dosage:
Type 2 diabetics should add ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon twice a day to cereal, salads, toast, juice or other beverages. Dieters might also consider flavoring their food with cinnamon. According to Louise Gittleman, researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture have indicated that ¼ to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon with food helps metabolize sugar twenty times better.

SOURCES
Balch, Phyllis A. CNC, Prescription for Herbal Healing, New York: Penguin Putnam, 2002.
Gittleman, Louise M.S., CNS, The Fat Flush Plan, New York: McGraw Hill, 2002.
Gladstar, Rosemary, Herbs for the Home Medicine Chest, Vermont: Storey Books, 1999.
Pitchford, Paul, Healing with Whole Foods, Third Edition, Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2002.
Weil, Andrew Dr., Self Healing, 2004 Annual Edition, Watertown, MA: Thorne Communications, 2004.