Cinnamon

© Steven Foster

This fact sheet provides basic information about cinnamon—

common names, what the science says, potential side effects and 

cautions, and resources for more information.

Common Names—cinnamon, cinnamon bark, Ceylon cinnamon, 

cassia cinnamon, Chinese cinnamon

Latin Names—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. For example, many ancient societies used cinnamon for 

bronchitis. Additional folk or traditional uses include gastrointestinal 

problems, loss of appetite, and control of diabetes, as well as a variety 

of other conditions.

Cinnamon bark is used to make powders, capsules, teas, and liquid 

extracts. Although there are many kinds of cinnamon, Ceylon 

cinnamon (sometimes referred to as “true” cinnamon) and cassia 

cinnamon (also known as Chinese cinnamon) are the most familiar.

What the 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.

Side Effects and Cautions 

• 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.

• Cassia cinnamon contains coumarin, the parent compound of 

warfarin, a medication used to keep blood from clotting. Due to 

concerns about the possible effects of coumarin, in 2006, the 

German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment warned against 

consuming large amounts of cassia cinnamon.
• Cinnamon should not be used in place of conventional medical care or to delay seeking care if you 

are experiencing symptoms that are of concern; this is particularly true if you have diabetes.

• Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use. Give 

them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated 

and safe care. For tips about talking with your health care providers about complementary 

and alternative medicine, see NCCAM’s Time to Talk campaign at nccam.nih.gov/timetotalk/. 

Sources

Baker WL, Gutierrez-Williams G, White CM, et al. Effect of cinnamon on glucose control and lipid parameters. Diabetes 

Care. 2008;31(1):41-43.

Cassia Cinnamon. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturaldatabase.com on

October 7, 2011.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturalstandard.com on

October 7, 2011.

Cinnamon bark. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. 

Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:65-67.

Cinnamon bark. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturaldatabase.com on

October 7, 2011.

Cinnamon bark, Chinese. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E 

Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:68-71.

For More Information

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view Using Dietary Supplements Wisely 

(nccam.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm).

NCCAM Clearinghouse

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

PubMed®

Web site: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements

Web site: ods.od.nih.gov

NIH National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus

Cassia Cinnamon Listing: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/1002.html

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the 

medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss 

any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any 

product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

National Institutes of Health

♦♦♦

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

D463

Created October 2011

Updated April 2012