Overview
Cassia cinnamon is most commonly used for diabetes. It is also used for prediabetes, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In food and beverages, cassia cinnamon is used as a flavoring agent.
How does it work ?
Uses & Effectiveness ?
Possibly Effective for
- Diabetes. Some research shows that taking cassia cinnamon daily for up to 3 months helps control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Cassia cinnamon does not appear to improve blood sugar control and related symptoms in people with type 1 diabetes.
Insufficient Evidence for
- Prediabetes. It's unclear if taking cassia cinnamon improves blood sugar control in people with prediabetes. Results from research have been conflicting. Studies to date have been small and have assessed several different cassia cinnamon preparations. Larger, higher quality studies are needed to confirm which, if any, forms of cassia cinnamon can benefit people with prediabetes.
- Mosquito repellent. Early research suggests that applying a cream containing cassia cinnamon oil to the skin can protect against mosquito bites. But it seems to decrease in effectiveness faster than creams containing citronella and geranium oils or DEET.
- Absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea).
- Cancer.
- Chest pain (angina).
- Common cold.
- Diarrhea.
- Ending a pregnancy (abortion).
- Erectile dysfunction (ED).
- High blood pressure.
- Loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence).
- Muscle cramps.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Obesity.
- Other conditions.
Side Effects
When applied to the skin: Cassia cinnamon is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin in the short-term. It might cause skin irritation and allergic skin reactions.
Special Precautions and Warnings
Children: Cassia cinnamon is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth appropriately. One gram of cassia cinnamon daily has been used safely in teens for up to 3 months.
Liver disease: Cassia cinnamon contains a chemical that might harm the liver. If you have liver disease, do not take cassia cinnamon in amounts larger than the amounts normally found in food.
Perioperative: Cassia cinnamon might lower blood sugar and might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking cassia cinnamon as a medicine at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions ?
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with CASSIA CINNAMON
Cassia cinnamon might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking cassia cinnamon along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with CASSIA CINNAMON
Taking very large doses of cassia cinnamon might harm the liver, especially in people with existing liver disease. Taking large amounts of cassia cinnamon along with medications that might also harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage. Do not take large amounts of cassia cinnamon if you are taking a medication that can harm the liver.
Some medications that can harm the liver include acetaminophen (Tylenol and others), amiodarone (Cordarone), carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid (INH), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), methyldopa (Aldomet), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), erythromycin (Erythrocin, Ilosone, others), phenytoin (Dilantin), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), and many others.
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
Dosing
ADULTS
BY MOUTH:
- For diabetes: 120 mg to 6 grams taken daily for up to 4 months for type 2 diabetes.
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