Cinnamon has been used as a spice in several cultures for centuries. It was traditionally used to relieve stomach pain and gas; it is still used for these conditions today. The bark of two cinnamon species (Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Cinnamomum cassia) is used as a spice (cinnamon bark).

There is a lack of scientific information to support the use of cinnamon for any condition. However, laboratory studies suggest that cinnamon may be useful in the treatment of diabetes (type 2) due to its blood sugar-lowering effects.

Furthermore, cinnamon and its constituents may have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties, and it may prove effective in the supportive treatment of conditions such as cancer or severe virus infections.

Cinnamon has been granted GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status as a food additive by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). GRAS substances are considered safe by the experts and not restricted, as is the case with other food additives.

American cinnamon, Batavia cassia, Batavia cinnamon, breyne, cannelle (French), cannellier de Ceylan (French), cannellier de Chine (French), cassia, cassia bark, cassia cinnamon, cassia lignea, cassia rou gui, catechins, Ceylon cinnamon, Chinese cinnamon, chinesischer Zimt (German), chinesischer Zimtbaum (German), cinnamaldehyde, cinnamate, cinnamic acid, cinnamom--dhal chini, Cinnamomi cassiae, Cinnamomi cassiae cortex, Cinnamomi ceylanici cortex, Cinnamomi cortex, Cinnamomi flos, Cinnamomi osmophloeum, Cinnamomi ramulus, Cinnamomom, Cinnamomum aromaticum, Cinnamomum aromaticum Nees., Cinnamomum burmannii, Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum cassia Blume, Cinnamomum cassia J. Presl., Cinnamomum cinnamon, Cinnamomum loureiroi, Cinnamomum mairei Levl., Cinnamomum migao, Cinnamomum obtusifolium, Cinnamomum osmophloeum clones (A and B), Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kaneh., Cinnamomum sieboldii, Cinnamomum sieboldii Meissn, Cinnamomum tamala, Cinnamomum tejpata, Cinnamomum verum, Cinnamomum verum J. Presl., Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark, Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume, Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees, cinnamon bark, cinnamon bark essential oil, cinnamon bark oil, cinnamon cortex, cinnamon essential oil, cinnamon extract, cinnamon flower, cinnamon fruit stalks, cinnamon leaf, cinnamon leaf essential oil, cinnamon leaf oil, cinnamon twig, cinnamon water, cinnamophilin, condensed tannins, cortex cinnamomi, cortex cinnamomum, coumarin, (E)-cinnamaldehyde, echter Kanel (German), eugenol, false cinnamon, gixin, gui, guipi, guirou, guixin, guizhi, guizhi tang, gum, jungui, keishi (Japanese), keychi (Korean), Lauraceae (family), linalool, Malabar leaf, Malabathrum, Malobathrum, monoterpenes, mucilage, mugui, ocotea quixos, Oleum Malabathri, padang cassia, padang cinnamon, phenolic compounds, pinene, proanthocyanidins, qin, ramulus Cinnamomi (Cinnamomum cassia Presl), resin, rougui, Saigon cassia, Saigon cinnamon, sequiterpenes (pinene), Seychelles cinnamon, sweet wood, trans-cinnamaldehyde, trans-cinnamic acid, true cinnamon, xiao-jian-zhong, xiao-jian-zhong-tang, yin xiang, Zimt (German), Zimtblüten (German), Zimtrinde (German), Zimtrindle (German).

Traditional Chinese Medicine formula examples: Bai hu jia gui zhi tang, da qing long tang, dang gui si ni tang, ge gen tang, gui zhi fu ling wan, gui zhi tang, ling gui zhu gan tang, ma huang tang, tao he cheng qi tang.

Note: This monograph focuses on cinnamon varieties that are edible and does not include Cinnamomum camphora or the camphor tree, which can be very harmful or deadly in humans in large doses, or Cinnamomum kotoense, which is an ornamental plant.

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Candidiasis (yeast infection in the mouth) (Grade: C)
There is a lack of available evidence to support the use of cinnamon in humans for this condition. More study is needed in this area.

Diabetes (type 2) (Grade: C)
There is a lack of available evidence to support the use of cinnamon in humans for type 2 diabetes. Additional study is needed.

Helicobacter pylori (Grade: C)
Laboratory studies have found that cinnamon extract does not appear to be effective in curing