Cinnamon

Shop Available Cinnamon Forms and Sizes Below

Common Names: Cassia Bark, Cinnamon, Cinnamon Twig, Cinnamon Bark, “Medical Saint”, Cinnamounum Ceylanicum, Indonesian Cinnamon, Padang Cassia, Batavia Cassia, Korintje
Botanical Name: Cinnamomum burmanii, Cinnamomum verum, Cinnamonum Cassia
Pin Yin Name:  Gui Zhi, Gui, Rou Gui
Cinnamon Dosage:  Consult your healthcare provider for your correct dose.
Cinnamon Precautions: Do not use if pregnant or nursing.  Consult your healthcare before using if you are taking blood-thinning medications.

Cinnamon Benefits & Information

Cinnamon offers a variety of health benefits, primarily due to its rich antioxidant content and anti-inflammatory properties. Some potential health benefits of cinnamon include:

Antioxidant Properties: Cinnamon is rich in polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that help protect the body from oxidative stress and damage caused by free radicals.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Cinnamon contains compounds that have been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, which may help alleviate symptoms of conditions like arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Improved Blood Sugar Control: Cinnamon may help lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, making it beneficial for individuals with diabetes or those at risk of developing the condition.

Heart Health: Studies suggest that cinnamon may help reduce risk factors associated with heart disease, such as high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as high blood pressure.

Antimicrobial Properties: Cinnamon has natural antimicrobial properties that can help fight bacterial and fungal infections, making it useful for preserving food and supporting oral health.

Neuroprotective Effects: Some research indicates that cinnamon may have neuroprotective properties, potentially reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Improved Digestive Health: Cinnamon has been traditionally used to aid digestion and may help alleviate digestive discomforts like gas, bloating, and indigestion.

Cinnamon is an herb most of us are familiar with. Cinnamon is a common spice used in many cuisines to flavor beverages, baked goods, and savory dishes. It also has a long history of medicinal use in both Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine. Cinnamaldehyde and other essential oils provide cinnamon with most of its health benefits. Cinnamon also contains couomarin, a blood thinning substance that may cause liver, lung, and kidney damage if taken in large doses.

There are two types of cinnamon, Cassia and Ceylon. Cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon have slightly different appearance, taste, and medicinal properties although no distinction is made in the research on cinnamon. Both types proven to provide benefits for the same health concerns. Below is information on the differences between Cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon.

How Does Cinnamon Support Normal Blood Sugar 

Cinnamon may help improve blood sugar levels through several mechanisms:

1. Insulin Sensitivity: Cinnamon has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, which means that cells are better able to respond to insulin and take up glucose from the bloodstream. This can help lower blood sugar levels, particularly in individuals with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes.

2. Glucose Transport: Compounds found in cinnamon may enhance the transport of glucose into cells, where it can be used for energy instead of remaining in the bloodstream. This can help reduce blood sugar levels and improve overall metabolic health.

3. Inhibition of Enzymes: Some studies suggest that cinnamon may inhibit the activity of enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion and absorption in the digestive tract. This can slow down the rate at which glucose is released into the bloodstream after meals, leading to more stable blood sugar levels.

4. Glycogen Synthesis: Cinnamon may also stimulate glycogen synthesis in the liver. Glycogen is a storage form of glucose, and increased glycogen storage can help regulate blood sugar levels by removing excess glucose from the bloodstream and storing it for later use.

5. Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism. Cinnamon's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may help improve overall metabolic health and contribute to better blood sugar control.

It's important to note that while cinnamon shows promise in improving blood sugar levels, more research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action and its effectiveness in managing diabetes or preventing blood sugar spikes.

What Are The Differences Between Cassia Cinnamon and Ceylon Cinnamon?

Summary of Cinnamon

Antioxidant rich cinnamon offers many health benefits. Research has found that cinnamon contains components that may benefit insulin sensitivity, ease inflammation, promote healthy cholesterol levels, and benefit nerve health. One study found that cinnamon may inhibit the buildup of tau, a substance that is found with the presence of Alzheimer’s disease.

In traditional Chinese medicine cinnamon is used as a tonic for the stomach, to warm the channels, disperses cold, promote urination and ease headache. Studies show that cinnamon may benefit healthy digestion, promotes normal blood glucose levels when used as part of a healthy diet along with exercise, supports cardiovascular health and may benefit joint health.  Cinnamon has been found to have anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antifungal, and antibacterial effects. 

Cinnamon can be used as a tea, decoction, and tincture. Cinnamon powder is perfect to make your own fresh filler-free cinnamon capsules. Cinnamon stick, Cinnamon pieces, and cinnamon powder can be used for flavoring beverages and in cooking and baking.

Cinnamon Herb Category:  Herbs that Release the Exterior: Warm, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior.  Herbs that Warm the Interior and Expel Cold
Cinnamon Properties: Cassia:  Acrid, Sweet, Very Hot; Ceylon:  Acrid, Sweet, Hot
Cinnamon Channels / Meridians: Heart, Lung, Bladder
Cinnamon Naturally Occurring Components:  cinnamaldehyde, essential oils, benzyl benzoate, cinnamyl acetate, β-cadinene, calamenene, coumarin

Herbs That Combine With Cinnamon

Astragulus     Dong Quai     Schisandra     Turmeric     Magnolia Bark     Bupleurum

References:  
http://alternativehealing.org/gui_zhi.htm 
https://herbpathy.com/Uses-and-Benefits-of-Cassia-Bark-Cid196 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamomum_burmannii  
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ceylon-vs-cassia-cinnamon#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-cinnamon#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3  
https://www.americandragon.com/Individualherbsupdate/GuiZhi.html  
https://www.americandragon.com/Individualherbsupdate/RouGui.html  
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4466762/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4466762/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318382