Cinnamon Bark

Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum cassia)

Cinnamon is a delicious spice obtained from the bark of the evergreen trees of the cinnamomum genus.  This spice has been used in both sweet and savory culinary dishes for thousands of years and is especially popular in Middle Eastern cuisine. And although here in the US its best known as a powder sprinkled on our lattes and donuts, the spice has been known for thousands of years as a potent cure for many ailments. This ancient medicinal bark is available as pills and can be bought from many health food stores.

Benefits of Cinnamon Bark

According to several high quality studies, cinnamon bark can give you the following amazing health benefits:

Improves Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Levels

Cinnamon is a beneficial herb for people who are at risk for diabetes and those already diagnosed with full-blown diabetes. Cinnamon has the ability to reduce blood sugar, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes. In one study, participants with type 2 diabetes who consumed cinnamon for a period of 40 days reduced their blood sugar by 18-29%, triglyceride by 23-30%, LDL cholesterol by 7-27%, and total cholesterol by 12-26%.[1] By improving blood sugar and cholesterol levels, cinnamon supplementation can also help lower one’s risk for heart disease, stroke and other deadly diseases.

Fights Various Infections

Cinnamon can help fight several antibiotic-resistant bacteria like Staphylococcus and E. coli. Staphylococcus bacteria are the primary causative agent of pneumonia, acne, septicaemia, osteomyelitis, scalded skin syndrome, and boils. E. coli causes stomach ulcers, UTIs, pneumonia, traveler’s diarrhea, cholangitis (infection of bile ducts), bacteremia (presence of bacteria in the blood), and neonatal meningitis. Interestingly, a 2008 French study found that cinnamon exhibits the most potent anti-microbial activities compared to other oil extracts like thyme and eucalyptus.[2]

Improves Exercise Recovery

A 2013 study published in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine found that female athletes who received 3 grams of cinnamon powder per day for 6 weeks experienced a significant reduction in exercise-induced muscle soreness compared to those who took placebo.[3] Another study also found that cinnamon has potent anti-inflammatory properties that can be beneficial in exercise recovery and other inflammatory conditions.[4]

Prevents Cognitive Decline

Research also shows that the antioxidant properties of cinnamon can help defend the brain against Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, as well as other neurological disorders. According to a 2014 study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the vital oils and other derivatives of cinnamon, such as cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and cinnamate, can help prevent cognitive impairment and other neurological abnormalities by reducing the build-up of abnormal protein structures in the brain known as tau proteins.[5]

Fights Cancer

Studies have revealed that the anti-cancer properties of cinnamon come from a compound called cinnamaldehyde, which has the ability to inhibit cancer tumor growth, protect DNA from damage, and induce programmed cell death of malignant cells.[5-6]

Prevents Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Results from two high quality studies have shown that cinnamon extracts rich in certain flavonoid compounds were shown to block human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) entry and infection in cell samples, indicating that cinnamon could provide a starting point for the development of possible safe and reliable treatment for HIV-1-positive individuals.[7-8]

Accelerates Wound Healing

Infectious colonies of bacteria called biofilms can develop on chronic wounds, leading to serious health problems. Research published in the Journal of American Chemical Society found that antimicrobial compounds from cinnamon can both kill biofilms and actively promote wound healing.[9]

References:

1. Khan A, et. al., Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2003 Dec;12(26):3215-8.
2. Mayaud L., et. al., Comparison of bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity of 13 essential oils against strains with varying sensitivity to antibiotics. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2008 Sep; 47(3):167-73.
3. Mashhadi NS, Ghiasvand R, Askari G, et al. Influence of Ginger and Cinnamon Intake on Inflammation and Muscle Soreness Endued by Exercise in Iranian Female Athletes. International Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2013;4(Suppl 1):S11-S15.
4. Gunawardena D, Karunaweera N, Lee S. Anti-inflammatory activity of cinnamon (C. zeylanicum and C. cassia) extracts – identification of E-cinnamaldehyde and o-methoxy cinnamaldehyde as the most potent bioactive compounds. Food & function. 2015; 6(3):910-9.
5. Rao PV, Gan SH. Cinnamon: A Multifaceted Medicinal Plant. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM. 2014;2014:642942. doi:10.1155/2014/642942.
6. Ka H, Park HJ, Jung HJ. Cinnamaldehyde induces apoptosis by ROS-mediated mitochondrial permeability transition in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. Cancer letters. 2003; 196(2):143-52.
7. Filho JR, de Sousa Falcão H, Batista LM, Filho JM, Piuvezam MR. Effects of plant extracts on HIV-1 protease. Current HIV research. 2010; 8(7):531-44.
8. Fink RC, Roschek B, Alberte RS. HIV type-1 entry inhibitors with a new mode of action. Antivir Chem Chemother. 2009;19(6):243-55.
9. American Chemical Society. “Peppermint oil and cinnamon could help treat and heal chronic wounds.” Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 9 Jul. 2015. Web.