Preliminary results from test tube and animal studies suggest that cinnamon oil and cinnamon extract have antifungal, antibacterial, and antiparasitic properties.4–10 For example, cinnamon has been found to be active against Candida albicans, the fungus responsible for vaginal yeast infections and thrush (oral yeast infection), Helicobacter pylori (the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers), and even head lice. However, it's a long way from studies of this type to actual proof of effectiveness. Until cinnamon is tested in double-blind human trials, we can't conclude that it can successfully treat these or any other infections. (For why double-blind studies are so important, see "Why Does Complementary Therapies Rely on Double-blind Studies?")

Date:   3/22/2005 9:03:24 PM ( 19 y ago)

Most Americans consider cinnamon a simple flavoring, but in traditional Chinese medicine, it's one of the oldest remedies, prescribed for everything from diarrhea and chills to influenza and parasitic worms. Cinnamon comes from the bark of a small Southeast Asian evergreen tree and is available as an oil, extract, or dried powder. It's closely related to cassia (C. cassia) and contains many of the same components, but the bark and oils from C. zeyleanicum have a better flavor.

What Is Cinnamon Used for Today?

Preliminary results from test tube and animal studies suggest that cinnamon oil and cinnamon extract have antifungal, antibacterial, and antiparasitic properties.4–10 For example, cinnamon has been found to be active against Candida albicans, the fungus responsible for vaginal yeast infections and thrush (oral yeast infection), Helicobacter pylori (the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers), and even head lice. However, it's a long way from studies of this type to actual proof of effectiveness. Until cinnamon is tested in double-blind human trials, we can't conclude that it can successfully treat these or any other infections. (For why double-blind studies are so important, see "Why Does Complementary Therapies Rely on Double-blind Studies?")

Highly preliminary evidence also suggests that cinnamon might have potential benefits for allergies and diabetes.11,12,13


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Dosage
Typical recommended dosages of cinnamon are 2 to 4 g daily of cinnamon bark or 0.05 to 0.2 g daily of cinnamon essential oil.14


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Safety Issues
As a widely used food, cinnamon is believed to be safe. However, cinnamon's essential oil is much more concentrated than the powdered bark commonly used for baking. There is some evidence that high doses of cinnamon oil might depress the central nervous system.15 Germany's Commission E recommends that pregnant women should avoid taking cinnamon oil or high doses of the bark.16 Maximum safe doses in young children, nursing women, or individuals with severe liver or kidney disease have not been determined.

When used topically, cinnamon bark oil may cause flushing and a burning sensation.17 Some people have reported strong burning sensations or mouth ulcers after chewing cinnamon-flavored gum or candy.18,19 However, these reactions disappeared within days of discontinuing the gum.


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References

1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete Commission E Monographs, Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, Mass: Integrative Medicine Communications; 1998:110.

2. Akira T, Tanaka S, Tabata M. Pharmacological studies on the antiulcerogenic activity of Chinese cinnamon. Planta Med. 1986;52:440–443.

3. Tanaka S, Yoon YH, Fukui H, et al. Antiulcerogenic compounds isolated from Chinese cinnamon. Planta Med. 1989;55:245–248.

4. Singh HB, Srivastava M, Singh AB, et al. Cinnamon bark oil, a potent fungitoxicant against fungi causing respiratory tract mycoses. Allergy. 1995;50:995–999.

5. Quale JM, Landman D, Zaman MM, et al. In vitro activity of Cinnamomum zeylanicum against azole resistant and sensitive Candida species and a pilot study of cinnamon for oral candidiasis. Am J Chin Med. 1996;24:103–109.

6. Tabak M, Armon R, Potasman I, et al. In vitro inhibition of Heliobacter pylori by extracts of thyme. J Appl Bacteriol. 1996;80:667–672.

7. Azumi S, Tanimura A, Tanamoto K. A novel inhibitor of bacterial endotoxin derived from cinnamon bark. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1997;234:506–510.

8. Oishi K, Mori K, Nishiura Y. Food hygenic studies on Anisakinae larvae––V. Effects of some spice essential oils and food preservatives on mortality of Anisakinae larvae. Bull Jap Soc Sci Fish. 1974;40:1241–1250.

9. Veal L. The potential effectiveness of essential oils as a treatment for head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis. Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery. 1996;2:97–101.

10. Quale JM, Landman D, Zaman MM, et al. In vitro activity of Cinnamomumzeylanicum against azole resistant and sensitive Candida species and a pilot study of cinnamon for oral candidiasis. Am J Chin Med. 1996;24:103–109.

11. Nagai H, Shimazawa T, Matsuura N, et al. Immunopharmacological studies of the aqueous extract of Cinnamomum cassia (CCAq). I. Anti-allergic action. Jpn J Pharmacol. 1982;32:813–822.

12. Imparl-Radosevich J, Deas S, Polansky MM, et al. Regulation of PTP-1 and insulin receptor kinase by fractions from cinnamon: implications for cinnamon regulation of insulin signalling. Horm Res. 1998;50:177–182.

13. Onderoglu S, Sozer S, Erbil KM, et al. The evaluation of long-term effects of cinnamon bark and olive leaf on toxicity induced by streptozotocin administration to rats. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1999;51:1305–1312.

14. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Wiley; 1996:168.

15. Harada M, Ozaki Y. Pharmacological studies on Chinese cinnamon. I . Central effects of cinnamaldehyde [in Japanese]. Yakugaku Zasshi. 1972;92:135–140.

16. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete Commission E Monographs, Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, Mass: Integrative Medicine Communications; 1998:110.

17. Perry PA, Dean BS, Krenzelok EP. Cinnamon oil abuse by adolescents. Vet Hum Toxicol. 1990;32:162–164.

18. Allen CM, Blozis GG. Oral mucosal reactions to cinnamon-flavored chewing gum. J Am Dent Assoc. 1988;116:664–667.

19. Mihail RC. Oral leukoplakia caused by cinnamon food allergy. J Otolaryngol. 1992;21:366–367.



 

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