You may think of cinnamon as merely a flavoring agent, but it has been used medicinally for thousands of years to treat a broad range of ailments. Today, one of the uses of cinnamon is to help in the management of diabetes. However, research studies testing cinnamon for diabetes have shown conflicting results, such that some studies show benefit and other studies show no benefit. If you are diabetic, consult with your doctor before you try to use cinnamon medicinally.
How It Works
Cinnamon contains substances called diterpenes and terpenoids that may contribute to its medicinal benefits. If you are diabetic, cinnamon may have possible benefits as some test tube studies have shown that cinnamon can enhance the action of insulin. However, this effect has not yet been supported in research studies involving people with diabetes.
Dosing
Research studies have used cinnamon in doses of 1 to 6 g per day for diabetes. You can take cinnamon as a tea that is made by boiling 2 to 3 g of cinnamon powder for 10 to 15 minutes. Use cinnamon oil in doses of only a few drops daily, or about 0.05 to 0.2 g, and only for a few days at a time. Cinnamon tincture can be used in doses of 2 to 3 ml, taken three times daily.
Effectiveness
Some preliminary studies in Type 2 diabetics demonstrated that cinnamon can help to control blood sugar levels. One small study showed that, on average, cinnamon decreased blood sugar levels by 18 to 29 percent. Another study showed that cinnamon decreased both blood sugar and cholesterol levels in diabetics. However, other studies have shown no beneficial effect of cinnamon on blood sugar levels. More research is needed before cinnamon can be recommended for use in diabetes.
Considerations
According to the National Institutes of Health, cinnamon is likely safe when used in food amounts and in medicinal doses. If you take cinnamon in large amounts for a long time, you may experience some side effects such as inflammation in your mouth and liver injury. Cinnamon may also cause allergic reactions such as skin rash and difficulty breathing. Do not use cinnamon if you are pregnant.
