Cinnamon

Traditional descriptions of cinnamon (see below) emphasised its warming qualities as well as its role in helping digestion. Consider using cinnamon for any conditions where you feel the cold, for example in respiratory infections, joint pains, and particularly if you want to help with a digestive problem where you instinctively look for warmth (such as where symptoms are helped by a hot water bottle).

It has long been used as a women’s remedy, for menstrual and other pains, especially when these are relieved by warmth.

Cinnamon combines especially well with ginger. A fresh ginger and cinnamon tea will provide instant relief and even healing at the first sign of a cold, chest or upper respiratory infection.

Cinnamon is particularly useful if you are recovering from an illness or chronic fatigue condition, and again especially when you are feeling the cold. It will help restore a healthy appetite and reduce the many digestive and abdominal problems that are associated with being run down.

Cinnamon is revered in Asian and European traditions for its characteristic warming, sweet and aromatic qualities, also with a slight bitterness.

Distilling these reputations, cinnamon can be described as stimulating the circulation, dispelling cold and building core strength. Its combination of aromatic, hot and bitter qualities however meant that it was particularly applied to sluggish digestion and to strengthen nutritional absorption, for example in recovering or convalescing from illness or fatigue.

It was used for congestive conditions of the lower abdomen or pelvis relieved by heat (eg hot water bottles), so for example some women’s problems, and for joint pain made worse in cold and damp.

Cinnamon has had literally a fabulous reputation from earliest recorded history. Its unique flavours meant not only that it was one of the most valuable spices in early commerce, but also delivered almost immediate benefits to the digestion and circulation. Its reputation probably began with its role in cooking and digestion. In the past food selection was the first stage of healing: spices were widely added to foods to support digestion, prevent gut infections and build resilience. Survival depended on preventing diseases before they became disabling. It also depended on full recovery from illnesses, and before we lost the skills in the modern times, convalescence was core to health care. Cinnamon was one of the most popular convalescent tonics in Asia, supporting digestion and maintaining warmth through this vulnerable recovery time.

Cinnamon was also highly highly regarded as an aromatic, as recorded of the seductress in the Bible’s Book of Proverbs (7:17-18) I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love!

In traditional herb-based treatments cinnamon is a highly regarded component of formulations designed to stimulate digestion and to warm the body when suffering from the effects of cold. It also pleasantly flavors otherwise strong medicines. Cinnamon may be a leading ingredient in individual formulations in the following areas.

Digestion

Cinnamon stimulates the digestive metabolism making it an excellent remedy in characteristically cold and sluggish digestive systems and slow digestion. It is indicated in flatulence and colic. Cinnamon’s ability to support absorption also makes it useful in diarrhoea with characteristically loose and watery stools and undigested food. The anti-microbial properties of cinnamon also indicate it in the treatment of different forms of dysbiosis, including Candida.

Circulation

Cinnamon stimulates circulation to the extremities, indicating it in conditions such as Raynaud’s syndrome, arthritis and generalised circulatory insufficiencies. These effects can also be of use in cardiac insufficiency with cold extremities, difficulty breathing, fluid accumulation and tiredness.

Lungs

Cinnamon clears mucus and encourages circulation throughout the respiratory system. It can also be used as a hot decoction to clear fevers and encourage sweating.

Urinary and kidney

Cinnamon’s warm and dry qualities are helpful in treating conditions such as nocturia and frequent urination that are irritated by the cold. Cinnamon can penetrate deep into the tissues, where, coupled with its sweet quality give it an ability to nourish the reproductive system, treating infertility and male impotence.

Women’s health

Cinnamon is an excellent anti-spasmodic for painful periods (dysmenorrhoea). It can also help both lack of periods (amenorrhoea) and excessive bleeding at periods (menorrhagia). It can also be used in wet and stagnant conditions due to its drying astringency in the pelvic cavity, indicating it in the management of ovarian cysts, fibroids and endometriosis.

Most of the traditional reputation for cinnamon has yet to be tested by modern research.  Published papers focus on prospects that different species of cinnamon may affect blood sugar control, particularly in diabetic conditions. 

Here there is evidence that cinnamon reduces tissue resistance to insulin, decreases inflammatory markers, and lowers glucose, lipids, and blood pressure in people with ‘metabolic syndrome’ (‘insulin resistance’ or pre-diabetic state) (2).

There are similar benefits in people with fatty liver problems and even with healthy subjects. An interesting extension of this benefit is to polycystic ovary syndrome, which is marked by disturbances in blood sugar control.

Women may also find cinnamon helpful to relieve menstrual pains.

Ceylon cinnamon has also been shown to have a range of benefits although most of the modern evidence is laboratory based.

Recently, other trials have explored the beneficial prospects of cinnamon in Alzheimer’s disease (3), arthritis, and arteriosclerosis.

Diabetes

A triple blind randomised controlled trial was carried out to investigate the efficacy of cinnamon supplements in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. 140 patients with the conditions were randomly assigned either cinnamon bark powder or placebo in 500 mg capsules. Dosage was taken twice a day for a period of 3 months. 

The results showed that cinnamon improves; anthropometric parameters, glycemic indices and lipid profile in patients with type II diabetes. There was a significant improvement, specifically seen in patients with higher baseline BMI (1).

Alzheimer’s

A comprehensive review was carried out on the available data from a number of scientific databases to investigate the effects of a number of cinnamon polyphenols with oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory signalling pathways in the brain, with a view to understanding how cinnamon may benefit in Alzheimer’s disease. A number of interesting correlations and findings were discussed, including one in which there is a possible connection between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. The review discusses a number of mechanisms by which cinnamon and its compounds are repeatedly found to have neuroprotective properties via a number of different mechanisms (3). Further research is required to identify the therapeutic efficacy and safety for using cinnamon in Alzheimer’s disease, particularly using clinical trials.

In order to enhance their role as valiant explorer-traders and the price and value of the commodity, the early Arab suppliers of Indian cinnamon to ancient Europe told dramatic stories of how they had to raid cinnamon quills from the mountain nests of giant ferocious birds.

Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), the neighbouring Malabar Coast of India, and Myanmar (Burma). Principally it is most often found in tropical rainforests or in the lowlands up to an altitude of 700m.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants has not yet assessed cinnamon in its natural habitat. However, cinnamon has become an invasive species on Indian and Pacific Ocean islands, especially the Seychelles and Samoa. It grows prolifically in lowland forests there, creating dense forest understories in which other plants are unable to thrive (4).

Habitat loss and over harvesting from the wild are two of the biggest threats faced by medicinal plant species. There are an increasing number of well known herbal medicines at risk of extinction. We must therefore ensure that we source our medicines with sustainability in mind. 

The herb supplement industry is growing at a rapid rate and until recent years a vast majority of medicinal plant produce in global trade was of unknown origin. There are some very real and urgent issues surrounding sustainability in the herb industry. These include environmental factors that affect the medicinal viability of herbs, the safety of the habitats that they are taken from, as well as the welfare of workers in the trade.

The botanical supply chain efforts for improved visibility (transparency and traceability) into verifiably sustainable production sites around the world is now certificated through the emergence of credible international voluntary sustainability standards (VSS). Read our article on sustainable sourcing of herbs to learn more about what to look for and questions to ask suppliers about sustainability.

Herbal Medicines are often extremely safe to take, however it is important to buy herbal medicines from a reputed supplier. Sometimes herbs bought from unreputable sources are contaminated, adulterated or substituted with incorrect plant matter.

Some important markers for quality to look for would be to look for certified organic labelling, ensuring that the correct scientific/botanical name is used and that suppliers can provide information about the source of ingredients used in the product.

A supplier should be able to tell you where the herbs have come from. There is more space for contamination and adulteration when the supply chain is unknown. 

As a tropical rainforest plant, cinnamon is said to be easy to grow in warmer climates.

• Cinnamon prefers loamy, well drained acidic to neutral soil types between 6.2–7.2. 
• Plant your cinnamon in spring or early fall in a spot that gets full sun. It needs at least 6- 8 hours of sunlight a day.
• Dig a hole twice the size of your plant’s root ball and amend the soil with compost. Backfill the planting hole with soil, gently press down to remove air pockets, and water generously. 
• To replicate the conditions found in the rainforest cinnamon likes to be watered regularly. The soil should not be allowed to dry out completely. They will thrive most in warm and humid conditions. 
• If they are to be grown in cooler climates, it is best to grow in a large container outdoors in the summer and then moved indoors to a large glass house throughout winter.
• Cinnamon can be fertilised every spring.

Winter Tonic Elixir

This is a fun and easy-to-make ‘winter tonic elixir’ with a mix of herbs that raise your energy and warm you to the core.

Ingredients:

• Brandy 700ml/25fl oz
• Amaretto 300ml/10fl oz
• Ginseng root 20g/3/4oz
• Astragalus 10g/1/3oz
• Cinnamon bark 10g (about 2 quills)
• Ashwagandha 5g
• Ginger root powder 5g
• Rosemary 2 sprigs
• Orange peel 5g

This makes 1 litre/35fl oz of tasty tincture.

Method:

• Blend the liquids and soak the herbs in it for 1 month and then strain. Bottle half for you and half for a friend.
• Sip on cold winter nights to raise your spirits and keep you strong.

Brave Heart Tea

This Brave Heart tea is a therapeutic recipe for nourishing your heart, both the physical and emotional.

Ingredients

• Hawthorn berry 4g
• Hawthorn leaf and flower 2g
• Limeflower 2g
• Cinnamon bark 2g
• Motherwort 1g
• Saffron 5 strands
• Rose flower 1g
• Pomegranate juice a glug (or 1 tbsp) per cup

This will serve 2 cups of a very heartloving tea.

Method

• Put all of the ingredients in a pot (except for the pomegranate juice).
• Add 500ml (18fl oz) freshly boiled filtered water. Leave to steep for 10–15 minutes, then strain.
• Add a glug of pomegranate juice to each cup.

Natural Balance Tea

When our digestive fire is low and our metabolism feels sluggish it cannot transform food into nourishing energy. Instead, food can get stored as fat, starting a vicious cycle where digestion becomes weaker and weaker, leading to steady weight gain. This delicious tea helps to stimulate the metabolism and supports your body to find your natural and balanced weight.

Ingredients:

• Cinnamon bark 4g
• Ginger root powder 2g
• Orange peel 2g
• Green tea 2g
• Turmeric root powder 1g
• Black pepper 1g
• Orange essential oil a drop per cup

This will serve 2–3 cups of digestion enhancing, weight-balancing tea that works together with lots of exercise.

Method:

• Put all of the ingredients in a pot (except for the orange essential oil).
• Add 500ml (18fl oz) freshly boiled filtered water. Leave to steep for 10–15 minutes, then strain.
• Add one drop of orange essential oil to each cup

These recipes are from Cleanse, Nurture, Restore by Sebastian Pole

1. Zare, R., Nadjarzadeh, A., Zarshenas, M.M., Shams, M. and Heydari, M. (2019). Efficacy of cinnamon in patients with type II diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Clinical Nutrition, 38(2), pp.549–556. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2018.03.003.
2. Medagama, A.B. (2015). The glycaemic outcomes of Cinnamon, a review of the experimental evidence and clinical trials. Nutrition Journal, [online] 14(1). doi:10.1186/s12937-015-0098-9.
3. Momtaz, S., Hassani, S., Khan, F., Ziaee, M. and Abdollahi, M. (2018). Cinnamon, a promising prospect towards Alzheimer’s disease. Pharmacological Research, 130, pp.241–258. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2017.12.011.
4. Pasiecznik, N. (2022). Cinnamomum verum (cinnamon). CABI Compendium, CABI Compendium. doi:10.1079/cabicompendium.13573.