Cinnamon

Cinnamon

Common Names: cinnamon, cinnamon bark, Ceylon cinnamon, cassia cinnamon, Chinese cinnamon

Latin Name:
Cinnamomum zeylanicum (also known as Cinnamomum verum); Cinnamomum cassia (also known as Cinnamomum aromaticum).

Cinnamon comes from the bark of trees native to China, India, and Southeast Asia. A popular cooking spice in many cultures for centuries, cinnamon also has a long history of use as a folk or traditional medicine.

Science Says:

• High-quality clinical evidence (i.e., studies in people) to support the use of cinnamon for any medical condition is generally lacking.
• An analysis of five clinical trials concluded that cinnamon does not appear to affect factors related to diabetes and heart disease.

Cinnamon appears to be safe for most people when taken by mouth in amounts up to 6 grams daily for 6 weeks or less. Some people may have allergic reactions to cinnamon or its parts.