Cinnamon is one of the world’s most popular spices. It is also one of the oldest herbal medicines: some Chinese texts have mentioned its use in herbal remedies more than 4,000 years ago.
Cinnamon comes from the cinnamon tree, which grows in tropical areas, including parties of India, China, Madagascar, Brazil and the Caribbean. The tree’s inner bark and essential oil are used to make herbal products. Pieces of the bark may be sold individually, or the bark may be crushed and sold in a powdered form.
The medicinal effects of cinnamon are attributed to terpenoids,
substances found in the tree’s essential oil. Small studies
conducted on AIDS patients have found that cinnamon oil as a potent
anti-fungal, helping rid the body of oral candida infections. Cinnamon
has also been shown to fight the bacteria that causes most ulcers.
The German Commission E suggests taking 2-4 grams of cinnamon powder daily. No more than a few drops of essential cinnamon oil should be taken per day, and then only for a few days at a time. Some practitioners also recommend 2-3 ml of cinnamon tincture three times per day.
Cinnamon powder and cinnamon sticks are widely available; they can be found at supermarkets, health food stores and specialty stores.
Many stores also sell cinnamon oil and cinnamon tinctures.Chronic use of cinnamon may cause inflammation in the mouth. Some individuals may develop allergies and skin conditions after exposure to cinnamon; therefore, it should initially be used in small amounts, and then for only a few days at a time. The German Commission E does not recommend cinnamon for use by pregnant and lactating women.
At this time, there are no well-known drug interactions with cinnamon.
References
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