Indian spices include a variety of spices. Cinnamon (Dalchini) bark is one of the spices among them. There are six types of cinnamon:

1. Cinnamomum cassia it is known as Chinese cassia or Chinese cinnamon.
2. Cinnamomum verum also called Sri Lanka cinnamon or Ceylon cinnamon. It is also called as true cinnamon.
3. Cinnamomum loureiroi or Saigon cinnamon or Vietnamese cinnamon
4. Cinnamomum tamale is called Indian cinnamon
5. Cinnamomum citriodorum or Malabar cinnamon
6. Cinnamomum burmannii or Indonesian cinnamon

Scientific name is Cinnamomum zeylanicum.

Cinnamon contains aromatic essential oil which makes 0.5 to 1% of its composition. The pungent taste and smell come from cinnamaldehyde, an organic compound. From long time cinnamon is used in traditional medicine.

Cinnamon contains bioactive substances. Cinnamon contains many vitamins such as vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, ascorbic acid. Scientists have found that Cinnamon extract contains anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, antispasmodic property. It also contains some minerals like manganese, iron, and calcium.

Medicinal benefits of Cinnamon

1. Cinnamon bark is astringent, carminative and stimulant.
2. It can also stop nausea, vomiting due to primary dysmenorrhea.
3. It is effective in reducing menstrual bleeding.
4. Cinnamon has a significant effect in reduction of pain.
5. Cinnamon acts as brain tonic. It boosts activity of the brain and helps in reducing nerve tension and memory loss, increases alertness and concentration.
6. Cinnamon also helps with headache and migraine
7. There are some studies shows that cinnamon can stop medication-resistant yeast infection.
   Cinnamon reduces arthritis pain and inflammation.
8. It reduces toothache, and fight against bad breath.
9. Cinnamon act as smooth muscle relaxant thus effective in the treatment of bronchospasm, dysmenorrhea, spastic constipation, muscle and joint pain.

Medicinal Benefits of mixture of honey and cinnamon

1. It is found that mixture of honey and cinnamon is beneficial in many health related conditions.
2. It relieves indigestion, dyspepsia, flatulence and heartburn.
3. In heart disease, daily intake of honey and cinnamon with chapati or bread reduces the cholesterol in arteries and reduce the chances of heart attack.
4. Honey and cinnamon powder is also useful in common cold and in chronic cough. It also clears sinuses.
5. If this mixture is taken prior to breakfast it can be helpful in arthritis and in inflammation.
6. Regular use of this mixture strengthens the immune system and protects from viral and bacterial infections.
7. It helps to cure bladder infection and improve bladder control.

Dosage

1 to 4gm ground cinnamon once every day.

Precautions

Cinnamon interacts with blood thinners so it should be stopped before 2 weeks of surgery
Cinnamomum cassia can be harmful to liver because it contains a high level of coumarin.
In pregnant women, cinnamon should be taken with caution because it can stimulate uterine contraction.

Cinnamon can interact with following medicines and can harm the liver

Acetaminophen, Amiodarone, Carbamazepine, simvastatin, fluconazole, isoniazid, methotrexate, methyldopa, itraconazole, erythromycin, phenytoin, lovastatin, pravastatin.