Botanical Name: Cinnamomum zeylanicum

Plant Family: Lauraceae

Common Names: Laurus cinnamomum

Origin: Originally from Sri Lanka but grows well in Indonesia, India, Brazil and other tropical countries.

History: 

• The ancient Egyptians used the spice for embalming
• The Dutch had a monopoly on the Cinnamon trade until 1776

Tradition: Cinnamon burned in incense was used: 

• for healing
• to cover up the smell from burnt offerings in the temples to promote high spirituality
• to stimulate the passions of the male

The essential oil is used:

• for protection

Plant Constituents

Contains:

• cinnamic aldehyde
• mucilage
• sugar
• tannin
• volatile oil

Usage

Medicinal Parts Used: Bark (dried inner bark of the shoots)

Cinnamon is used for: 

Gastrointestinal Conditions

• prevents uncomfortable bloating
• relieves diarrhea
• relieves flatulence (gas/wind)
• relieves griping
• relieves nausea
• relieves weakness of the stomach
• stops vomiting

It is best taken before or after meals to aid digestion

Female Conditions

• helps stop womb hemorrhages

Cinnamon Oil can be used as an inhalant for

• a sexual stimulant to the female

Immune System Conditions

• prevents infection

Other Uses:

• added to herbal preparations to improve the taste
• culinary spice
• flavoring agent

Action:

• antiseptic [an agent for inhibiting the growth of microorganism on living tissue or destroying pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria]
• aphrodisiac [an agent for arousing or increasing sexual desire or potency]
• aromatic [a substance having an agreeable odor and stimulating qualities]
• astringent [a binding agent that contracts organic tissue, reducing secretions or discharges of mucous and fluid from the body]
• blood purifier [an agent to purify the blood]
• carminative [an agent for easing griping pains, colic and expelling gas from the intestines]
• cordial [invigorating, stimulating medicine, food or drink]
• digestive [aids digestion]
• local stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues giving more energy] to the body and other herbs, enabling herbal remedies to work faster (added to remedies for acute symptoms)

Precautions

Caution: 

• Do not take Cinnamon Oil internally