Cinnamon has been used for thousands of years and continues to be popular today as a spice, flavoring agent, aromatic and herbal supplement. Cinnamon is also used to treat a variety of ailments, such as type 2 diabetes, but scientific evidence is lacking to support the use of cinnamon for any of its uses. If you have type 2 diabetes, consult with your health care provider before using cinnamon medicinally.
About Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a long-term disease characterized by high amounts of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. If you have type 2 diabetes that is not being treated, you are at increased risk of developing health problems, such as blindness, kidney ailments, nerve disorders, heart disease and stroke. Treatment options for type 2 diabetes include healthy lifestyle habits, holistic options such as acupuncture, medicines and herbal supplements, such as cinnamon.
Effectiveness of Cinnamon
Laboratory studies have shown that cinnamon may improve how the body uses glucose by enhancing the action of insulin. One preliminary study in type 2 diabetics, using various dosing levels of cinnamon, showed that it lowered blood glucose levels between 18 to 29 percent after 40 days of treatment. However, other small trials have shown that cinnamon was not effective at lowering blood glucose, and in fact was no better than a placebo.
Dosing for Type 2 Diabetes
The German Commission E, the government agency that regulates medicinal herbs in Germany, recommends 2 to 4 grams of cinnamon powder daily. Research studies have used cinnamon powder in doses ranging from 1 to 6 grams daily for type 2 diabetes. One study in type 2 diabetics used daily cinnamon doses of 1, 3 or 6 grams for 40 days and found that 1 gram daily was as effective as daily doses of 3 and 6 grams.
Preparations of Cinnamon
Cinnamon can be taken as a powder, tea, oil and tincture. You can make cinnamon tea by boiling one-half teaspoon, or 2 to 3 grams, of powdered cinnamon for 10 to 15 minutes and then cooling. Cinnamon oil should be used in doses of no more than a few drops and only for a few days at a time. Cinnamon tincture in doses of one-half teaspoon, or 2 to 3 milliliters, may also be taken three times a day. Consult with your doctor prior to taking cinnamon medicinally for type 2 diabetes.
