CINNAMON

Botanical: Cinnamomum verum (also known as Cinnamomum

zeylanicum)
Family: Lauraceae (laurel)
Other common names: Cinnamon Bark, Sweet Wood

Diabetics take heart! Recent U.S.D.A. reports demonstrate that

extracts of Cinnamon increase insulin activity, enhancing the
breakdown of glucose and improving blood sugar
concentrations. Daily Cinnamon consumption may lead to
dramatic reductions in blood sugar, cholesterol and
triglycerides by as much as twenty percent. When added to
the time-honored value of Cinnamon as an antiseptic,
antifungal, astringent and stimulant that will also help to stop
diarrhea and relieve nausea and flatulence, you'll know why it is
such a valuable (and necessary) addition to your herbal closet.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is
intended for educational purposes only. These statements have
not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to
diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may
vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable
to consult with your own health care provider.

History:
The Cinnamon tree is an evergreen that grows in the tropical
rain forests of India, Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), the Philippines
and the West Indies. Cinnamon was first recorded in China in
2700 B.C., and ancient Egyptians included Cinnamon in their
embalming mixtures, used it in medicines, as well as a flavoring
for food. The Romans were known to pay dearly for it as an
expensive commodity, and Cinnamon is credited to be one of
the spices that spurred world exploration, playing a major role
in Colonial expansion. When the Portuguese invaded Sri Lanka
after reaching India in 1536, the Sinhalese king paid them
annual tributes of Cinnamon, and after the Dutch later captured
the island, they established a system of cultivation that exists
to this day. Much new research is being conducted into the
medicinal benefits of Cinnamon, and there are new
breakthroughs in the areas of diabetes and melanoma
research. Two chemicals extracted from Cinnamon
(camphornin and cinnamonin) have been shown in laboratory
tests to thwart the growth of liver cancer and melanoma cells;
however, due to Cinnamon's beta-sitosterol content, it may
aggravate prostate cancer cells. In addition to its great
medicinal properties, Cinnamon is a pungent, sweet herb that
has been used as a condiment to flavor and preserve food and
add spice to wines. Commercially, Cinnamon is used in oral
hygiene products, soft drinks and in the perfume industry.
Some of Cinnamon's chemical constituents include
cinnamaldehyde, tannin, mannitol, beta-carotene, beta-
sitosterol, calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese,
phosphorus, potassium, zinc, essential oils, coumarin, mucilage,
B-vitamins and vitamins A and C.

Beneficial Uses:
Cinnamon is one of the world's most widely used digestive aids,
helping to improve most gastrointestinal problems. It is greatly
effective in relieving intestinal gas and eases diarrhea, nausea
and vomiting. It also contains propanoic acid, which helps to
stop the formation of stomach ulcers without interfering in the
production of the gastric acid needed for good digestion.
Germany's Commission E approves Cinnamon for loss of
appetite and indigestion.

The newest research into Cinnamon highlights its hypoglycemic

properties as a natural way to reduce blood sugar. Extracts of
Cinnamon have been reported to increase insulin activity,
increasing the breakdown of glucose and improving blood sugar
concentrations. Consuming roughly one half a teaspoon of
Cinnamon daily may lead to dramatic reductions in blood sugar
and lower cholesterol and triglycerides in Type-2 diabetic
patients who are not taking insulin. Our water-soluble
Cinnamon botanical extract has been shown to be the most
beneficial form of dietary Cinnamon, according to studies done
by the U.S.D.A.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) categorizes Cinnamon as a

warming tonic that chases cold and damp away. The
cinnamaldehyde component in this warming, aromatic herb is
hypotensive and stimulates blood flow and peripheral
circulation, which is especially beneficial to people with cold
hands and feet.

Cinnamon helps to control bleeding, uterine hemorrhage and

excessive menstrual flow. It is a classic astringent that “dries
up” diarrhea and mucus and reduces many types of internal
bleeding, such as lung, intestinal, nasal, urinary and uterine.

Japanese researchers have found that Cinnamon contains a

substance that is both antibacterial and antifungal (helping to
prevent athlete's foot), and experiments have shown this to be
effective in helping to suppress E-coli, Candida albicans and
other yeast infections, as well as Staphylococci and the bacteria
found in tuberculosis. Researchers in Spain have found that
concentrations of Cinnamon oil (which has high antimicrobial
activity) may be effective and a non-toxic method of preventing
mold, the microscopic fungi, that grow on foods.

Cinnamon has long been used to fight the common cold and flu,
lower fever, ease the discomforts of arthritis and rheumatism,
relieve spasms and hypertension; and it is also said to be
specific for lower back pain.

Cinnamon is now on the list of antivirals. An Israeli researcher

has demonstrated that a Cinnamon extract has been able to
quickly and effectively immunize fowl against Newcastle
disease virus, and further studies on Avian Flu H9, HIV virus and
herpes simplex-1 also achieved positive results. Furthermore,
Cinnamon extract may also be useful in combating the deadly
Bird Flu H5.

Recommended Dosage:
For Botanical Extract: Take two (2) capsules, two (2) times
each day with water at mealtimes.
For Botanical Powder: Take two (2) capsules, two (2) to
three (3) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
Pregnant women or those allergic to Balsam of Tolu should not
use Cinnamon Herbal Supplement. Diabetics and those taking
blood thinners should consult a health care provider before
using Cinnamon. This product is not recommended if you have
a tendency toward excessive menstrual bleeding without
consulting a physician, as it is a uterine stimulant. Men with, or
recovering from, prostate cancer should not take Cinnamon.
Taking Cinnamon and antibiotics together may make the
antibiotic not work for you. Increased heart rate (pulse), feeling
dizzy, shortness of breath and redness of the face may occur if
you take too much Cinnamon

Does cinnamon help control blood sugar?

Does cinnamon help control blood sugar? I’ve heard a lot of things, but I’m
not sure if I should try it or not. – P.A.
Good question! Cinnamon remains controversial. There is some evidence
that taking cinnamon (either in supplemental forms or as the spice we’re all
familiar with) can help improve glucose disposal, and it’s possible that may
translate into better glycemic control, especially for diabetics. However, like
so many other “natural remedies” the evidence is weak, and some studies
have seen no improvement when subjects were given cinnamon.
Improvements in blood sugar have been reported in subjects with type 2
diabetes. Dosages range from 1-6 grams of cinnamon daily (in capsules) for
40-90 days (1,2). The improvements were small, but statistically significant.
However, a study published in 2006 found that supplementing 1.5 grams of
cinnamon daily for 12 weeks produced no effects on blood sugar in type 2
diabetics. In type 1 diabetics, cinnamon does not appear to have any effect
(3).
But these studies were done on people with diabetes, what about in people
who are not diabetic? A 2009 paper reported that healthy male volunteers
did show increased glucose sensitivity after taking 3 grams of cinnamon per
day in capsules. But as soon as the subjects stopped, the effect was gone in
2 days or less (4).
The bottom line: If you are type 2 diabetic, adding cinnamon to foods
like oatmeal may give you a slight benefit in terms of glycemic
control, but should not be used as replacement for prescribed
medication or lifestyle modification. It’s not going to be nearly as
helpful as, say, exercising or losing weight. If you are type 1 diabetic,
the evidence doesn’t support much of an effect, and if you are healthy (non-
diabetic), I don’t think there’s much to be gained. That said, if you like
cinnamon, go ahead and use it to flavor your foods, especially if it helps you
use less sugar, that’s a good thing no one disputes.
(1). Effectiveness of cinnamon for lowering hemoglobin A1C in patients with
type 2 diabetes: a randomized, controlled trial. Crawford P. J Am Board Fam
Med. 2009 Sep-Oct;22(5):507-12.
 (2). Diabetes Care. 2003 Dec;26(12):3215-8. Cinnamon improves glucose
and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes. Khan A, Safdar M, Ali Khan
MM, Khattak KN, Anderson RA.
(3.) Diabetes Care. 2007 Apr;30(4):813-6. The effect of cinnamon on A1C
among adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Altschuler JA, Casella
SJ, MacKenzie TA, Curtis KM.
(4). Eur J Appl Physiol. 2009 Apr;105(6):969-76. Changes in glucose tolerance
and insulin sensitivity following 2 weeks of daily cinnamon ingestion in
healthy humans. Solomon TP, Blannin AK.