Botanical Overview
Cinnamomum verum (True cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon) is a member of the Lauraceae family, native to Sri Lanka and parts of Southeast Asia. The bark and leaves are the primary parts used medicinally and culinarily. It is prized for its aromatic qualities and warm flavor.
Energetics
Cinnamomum verum exhibits a warming temperature and drying moisture energetic profile, with a pungent and sweet taste. Its action is ascending and outward-directed, tonifying the body’s qi.
Primary Actions
- Carminative
- Antimicrobial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Warming
Indications
Western
- Indigestion
- Flatulence
- Common cold
- Cough
- Inflammation
Syndromes
- Gastrointestinal discomfort
- Respiratory infections
TCM
- Cold in the body
- Weak pulse
- Chills
- Digestive stagnation
Syndromes
- Yang deficiency
- Cold syndrome
Ayurveda
- Poor digestion
- Coldness
- Respiratory congestion
Syndromes
- Kapha imbalance
- Vata imbalance
Unani
- Cold-related ailments
- Digestive disorders
Syndromes
- Reeh (wind) disturbances
- Cold humor imbalance
Constituents & Mechanisms
Key phytochemicals include cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, cinnamic acid, coumarin, and polyphenols, which contribute to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Dosage & Preparations
- Powdered bark 1-3 g daily
- Decoction: 2-5 g bark per cup, 1-2 times daily
- Essential oil: topical external use diluted
- Tincture 1:5 40% ethanol, 2-4 mL daily
Safety & Contraindications
Generally safe when used in culinary amounts; medicinal high doses should be used cautiously, especially in pregnancy and liver disease due to coumarin content. Potential drug interactions include antidiabetics and anticoagulants.
Astrological Correspondences
Planetary ruler: Mars
Elemental ruler: Fire
Selected References
- Phytotherapy: A Quick Reference to Herbal Medicine
- Plants For A Future (PFAF) Database
- WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants
- Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India
- Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs