CEYLON CINNAMON

OTHER NAME(S):

Batavia Cassia, Batavia Cinnamon, Canela, Canelero de Ceilán, Cannelier de Ceylan, Cannelle de Ceylan, Cannelle de Saïgon, Cannelle du Sri Lanka, Ceylonzimt, Ceylonzimtbaum, Cinnamomum verum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cinnamon Bark, Corteza de Canela, Dalchini, Écorce de Cannelle, Echter Ceylonzimt, Laurus cinnamomum, Madagascar Cinnamon, Padang-Cassia, Panang Cinnamon, Saigon Cassia, Saigon Cinnamon, Sri Lanka Cinnamon, Thwak, True Cinnamon, Tvak, Xi Lan Rou Gui, Zimtbaum.

Overview

Overview Information

Ceylon cinnamon comes from a tree called Cinnamomum verum. People use the bark to make medicine.

Ceylon cinnamon is used for indigestion (dyspepsia), diarrhea, diabetes, obesity, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

In foods, cinnamon is used as a spice and as a flavoring agent in beverages.

In manufacturing, cinnamon oil is used in small amounts in toothpaste, mouthwashes, gargles, lotions, liniments, soaps, detergents, and other pharmaceutical products and cosmetics.

There are lots of different types of cinnamon. Cinnamomum verum (Ceylon cinnamon) and Cinnamomum aromaticum (Cassia cinnamon or Chinese cinnamon) are commonly used. In many cases, the cinnamon spice purchased in food stores contains a combination of these and other types of cinnamon.

How does it work?

The oils found in Ceylon cinnamon are thought to reduce spasms, reduce gas (flatulence), stimulate the appetite, and fight bacteria and fungi. Cinnamon might also decrease blood pressure and blood lipids. Ceylon cinnamon chemicals might work like insulin to lower blood sugar. However, these effects are thought to be fairly weak.

There are also ingredients in Ceylon cinnamon called tannins that might help wounds by acting as an astringent, and also prevent diarrhea.

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Possibly Ineffective for

  • Diabetes. Early research shows that taking Ceylon cinnamon daily does not lower blood sugar in people with well-controlled diabetes. There is weak evidence that it might help people with poorly controlled diabetes. But higher quality research is needed to confirm.
  • Obesity. Taking Ceylon cinnamon every day for 2-3 months does not seem to decrease body weight.

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). Early research shows that taking Ceylon cinnamon for the first 3 days of menstruation may improve pain in women with menstrual cramps.
  • Swelling (inflammation) and sores inside the mouth (oral mucositis). Early research shows that rinsing the mouth with 10 mL of mouthwash containing Ceylon cinnamon leaf oil helps prevent mouth sores in some people with dentures.
  • Thrush. Early research shows that taking lozenges containing Ceylon cinnamon for one week improves thrush in some people with HIV. But it doesn't seem to help everyone.
  • A hormonal disorder that causes enlarged ovaries with cysts (polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS). Some early research shows that taking Ceylon cinnamon reduces insulin resistance in women with PCOS. But it doesn't appear to improve fasting blood sugar levels, blood fat levels, weight, or body mass index. Other research shows that taking Ceylon cinnamon along with other herbal ingredients for 3 months leads to regular periods, improves the chances of conception, lowers blood pressure, improves quality of life, and decreases symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in overweight women with PCOS. It's unclear if the effects of the combination supplement are due to Ceylon cinnamon, other ingredients, or the combination.
  • Illness from a Salmonella bacteria infection (salmonellosis). Consuming Ceylon cinnamon might help treat a salmonella infection.
  • A long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS).
  • Appetite stimulation.
  • Common cold.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Early orgasm in men (premature ejaculation).
  • Flu (influenza).
  • Gas (flatulence).
  • Hay fever.
  • Indigestion (dyspepsia).
  • Infection of the intestines by parasites.
  • Prediabetes.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate Ceylon cinnamon for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth: Ceylon cinnamon is LIKELY SAFE when used in food amounts. It is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth as a medicine. Ceylon cinnamon has been safely used in doses of 0.5-3 grams daily for up to 6 months. But Ceylon cinnamon is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in larger amounts or when used long-term. Ceylon cinnamon contains a chemical called coumarin. Coumarin can cause liver injury when used in large amounts. But the amount of coumarin in Ceylon cinnamon is so low that this is probably not a big concern. Taking cinnamon oil by mouth is also POSSIBLY UNSAFE. The oil can be irritating to the skin and mucous membranes, including the stomach, intestine, and urinary tract. It can cause side effects such as diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and others.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Consuming Ceylon cinnamon is LIKELY SAFE when taken in food amounts during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Ceylon cinnamon is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken in amounts greater than those found in foods during pregnancy. Not enough is known about the safety of taking larger amounts during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Diabetes: Ceylon cinnamon might lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use Ceylon cinnamon.

Low blood pressure: Ceylon cinnamon might lower blood pressure. Taking Ceylon cinnamon might cause blood pressure to drop too low in people who already have low blood pressure.

Surgery: Ceylon cinnamon can affect blood pressure and blood sugar levels and might interfere with blood pressure and blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking cinnamon at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Interactions?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

!

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with CEYLON CINNAMON

    Cinnamon bark might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking cinnamon bark 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.

Dosing

Dosing

The appropriate dose of Ceylon cinnamon depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Ceylon cinnamon. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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View References

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2018.