What Is True Cinnamon?

True cinnamon has been used since ancient times as both a spice and a medicine. True cinnamon, like the kind that we carry, has a more gentle and sweet flavor than cassia cinnamon. True cinnamon is a warming and uplifting spice that works well both on its own and when combined with other herbs.

Often, true cinnamon is used in recipes and herbal formulations to help lessen the unpleasant flavor of other ingredients. The flavor of cinnamon combines well with herbs such as clove buds, elderberries, orange peel, ginger, star anise, and anise seed.

True cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon are the same thing, although the name Ceylon is less commonly used than in the past. Much of the true cinnamon produced in the world comes from Sri Lanka. When Britain occupied Sri Lanka, they renamed that region of the world as Ceylon. Sri Lanka no longer uses the name Ceylon, and true cinnamon often doesn’t use it either.

How to Use True Cinnamon (Common Uses)

Cinnamon can be taken internally as a powder, tea, or decoction. It is also often used in cooking. Visit our herbal blog for more information on learning how to cook with cinnamon.

Medicinal Uses and Benefits of True Cinnamon

Cinnamon has been used historically for a variety of purposes. In the 15th to 17th century it was used as a cooking spice and as an ingredient in spiced wine. By the 19th century, people had begun to cinnamon for its digestive benefits. Cinnamon is still used today as a digestion enhancing herb, and it can be beneficial for gas, stomach aches, and indigestion.

In Ayurvedic medicine, cinnamon is an extremely important herb. It is commonly used when patients are considered cold, dry, and frail. In Ayurvedic medicine, cinnamon is considered to be warming and stimulating to the circulatory and digestive systems. You can find cinnamon as an ingredient in our Anti-Stress Tea and our Lung Revitalizing Tea.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) often utilizes cinnamon for circulatory and damp/cold conditions, however, it is usually cinnamon of the cassia variety.

Cinnamon can help to relax smooth muscle and alleviate pain. Cinnamon may be beneficial for gastric ulcers, especially when combined with ginger and licorice.

Cinnamon is antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal, and can even help to inhibit growth of bacteria such as E. coli and H. pylori.

As an herb for balancing blood sugar, cinnamon may be especially beneficial. It can often be successfully used in combination with other tools for helping to combat metabolic syndrome. Cinnamon can help to increase the body’s ability to respond to insulin that is already present and lower blood sugar. It may also help reduce LDL cholesterol when taken over extended periods of time.

Active Constituents in True Cinnamon

Volatile oil, terpenes, tannins, cinnzalanol, coumarin, methylhydroxychalcone polymers.

Notable Facts About True Cinnamon

Cinnamon is mentioned both in the bible and in ancient Egyptian texts.