Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum or Cinnamomum cassia).Plant Part Used: Inner bark.Dominican Medicinal Uses: The inner bark is traditionally prepared as a decoction and taken orally for allergy, anxiety, arthritis, low blood pressure, kidney ailments, common cold, flu, sinusitis and women’s health conditions.Safety: The bark is generally regarded as safe and widely consumed as a culinary spice. Excessive or prolonged use may cause irritation.Contraindications: Large quantities of cinnamon should not be during pregnancy due to potential teratogenic effects.Drug Interactions: Methacyclines (interferes with dissolution).Clinical Data: Human clinical trials: antidiabetic (bark).Laboratory & Preclinical Data: In vivo: antioxidant (bark).In vitro: antibacterial, antifungal, headlice treatment, HEp-2 treatment (essential oil).* See entry for Canela in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.
Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume. German: Zimtbaum. French: Cannelle. Spanish: Canela. Italian: Cannella. Malayan: Kayu manis. Dried inner bark, and oil distilled from bark and leaves.
Constituents: tannins, essential oil, coumarin.
Action: stimulant astringent to the stomach. Aromatic, antimicrobial, carminative, antispasmodic, anti- diarrhoea, anti-worm; a warming remedy for cold conditions. Haemostatic, anti-putrescent, antiseptic, vermifuge. “A stimulating effect on bone healing” (Hamdard, Oct/Dec 1988, Vol XXXI No 4) Anti- diabetic.
Uses: Weak digestion, feeble appetite, flatulence, vomiting, hyperacidity, to promote secretion of gastric juices. Irritable bowel, summer diarrhoea. Influenza and colds. Wasting and cachexia (5 drops oil in honey). Infestation: body lice (rub with oil). Chest complaints: massage chest with 3 drops oil to 2 teaspoons Almond oil. The tea is used by the Chinese to boost insulin activity.
Combines well with Chamomile for stomach upsets; with Elderflowers and Peppermint for influenza. Preparations. Thrice daily, or as necessary.
Tea: Quarter of a teaspoon bark in cup of boiling water, hot tea, or other beverage, infuse 15 minutes. Essence of Cinnamon: 10-20 drops in water or beverage.
Langdale’s Cinnamon Essence.
Oil of Cinnamon: BP, 0.05 to 0.2ml.
Powder: half to 1 gram.
Liquid Extract BHP (1983) 1:1 in 70 per cent alcohol, dose 0.5 to 1ml. ... cinnamon bark
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