Cinnamon
Cinnamomum verum, C. cassiaThe Greek writer Herodotus claimed cinnamon was gathered from the nests of giant birds; traders spread such tales to hide the real source.
What is Cinnamon?
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is a plant of the Lauraceae family. Traditions that use it: Asia and Siberia. Part used: inner bark.
What is Cinnamon used for?
Traditional use: Ceylon cinnamon is a traditional medicine of Sri Lanka and cassia of China; both are considered warming and good for digestion. Scientific evidence: limited. There are many small studies on blood sugar; results are inconsistent, and the NCCIH says there is not enough evidence that cinnamon helps any condition.
Is Cinnamon safe?
Safety label: caution. Safe in food amounts. Cassia, the most common supermarket cinnamon, is high in coumarin and can harm the liver if eaten by the teaspoon every day. Ceylon cinnamon has very little coumarin.
Traditional use
Ceylon cinnamon is a traditional medicine of Sri Lanka and cassia of China; both are considered warming and good for digestion.
Essential for sahlep, aşure, rice pudding and winter teas; Ottoman cooks also used it in meat dishes.
In nature
Mix-up risk
Ceylon cinnamon is thin, many-layered and brittle; cassia is thick, single-layered and hard. Powders are hard to tell apart.
Preparation
Bark sticks are boiled or the powder added to food.
What science says
There are many small studies on blood sugar; results are inconsistent, and the NCCIH says there is not enough evidence that cinnamon helps any condition.
Safety
Safe in food amounts. Cassia, the most common supermarket cinnamon, is high in coumarin and can harm the liver if eaten by the teaspoon every day. Ceylon cinnamon has very little coumarin.
Drug interactions
| Medicine or substance | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Diabetes medicines and insulin | Can lower blood sugar. |
| Drugs that burden the liver (paracetamol, statins) | Coumarin in cassia adds strain on the liver. |
This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying Cinnamon.
Similar plants
Sources
- EMA monographCinnamomi cortex: European Medicines Agency herbal assessment
- NCCIHUS National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: use and safety summary
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Cinnamomum verum
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe