Acne -- caused by dead cells and excess oil in clogged skin pores -- can be frustrating and unsightly. And adults aren't exempt; the American Academy of Dermatology reports that an increasing number of women have acne in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. Dermatologists often treat acne with medications, including retinoids and antibiotics. Some people turn to herbal remedies -- such as cinnamon -- to treat acne. Although no one substance can be guaranteed to "cure" acne, scientific research supports cinnamon's beneficial anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Consult your doctor before using cinnamon.
Features
Cinnamon is derived from the dried bark of the cinnamon tree, botanically known as Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Cinnamomum cassia. It is native to tropical areas, including Sri Lanka, southeastern India, South America, and the Caribbean. Cinnamon has been used as both a spice and a medicine since roughly 2000 B.C., and plays an important role in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is known as gui zhi. Cinnamon has traditionally been used for treating diarrhea, flatulence and painful menstrual cramps, as well as for its antibacterial effects. Present-day herbalists often advise cinnamon to lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as well as for intestinal complaints such as colic.
Constituents
Cinnamaldehyde, a terpenoid, is a major constituent of cinnamon, composing 65 to 80 percent of the essential oil. Other phenols and terpenes present in cinnamon include eugenol, trans-cinnamic acid and limonene. In addition, cinnamon contains tannins, mucilage, and flavonoids, including beneficial plant pigments called procyanidins. Drugs.com -- which provides peer-reviewed medical information to consumers -- reports that the cassia form of cinnamon contains minute amounts of coumarin, a natural blood thinner. Coumarin is not found in Ceylon cinnamon.
Effects
Drugs.com notes that cinnamon's antioxidant activity is responsible for its ability to speed wound healing, and credits it with anti-inflammatory properties as well. In a laboratory study published in "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry," researchers found that trans-cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon extracts suppressed the production of nitric oxide, implicated in the inflammatory process. Researchers have also found that cinnamon inhibits production of cyclooxygenase-2, or COX-2, a known pro-inflammatory agent. In addition, cinnamon extracts were antibacterial against common human pathogens in laboratory studies. These findings could support cinnamon's use in treating acne, as bacteria in clogged skin pores exacerbate acne by causing inflammation, which in turn causes redness, irritation and swelling.
Use and Considerations
According to Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Health, you may take cinnamon in the amount of 2 to 4 g -- roughly 1/2 to 3/4 tsp. -- per day. You can also make a cinnamon tea by boiling 1/2 tsp in 8 ounces of water for 10 to 15 minutes. Best Acne Treatments advises using cinnamon topically on acne by mixing 1 tsp. powdered cinnamon with 3 tbsp. of honey, applying to affected areas and leaving it on overnight. Rinse off with warm water in the morning. Allergic reactions to cinnamon -- including skin reactions -- have been recorded. Although cinnamon is considered generally safe when used as a food, the ingestion of large amounts can cause increased heart rate, breathing and perspiration. Consult your doctor before using cinnamon.
References
- Drugs.com: Complete Cinnamon Information
- Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Health: Cinnamon
- American Academy of Dermatology; Acne: Who Gets and Causes; Staff, 2011
- Best Acne Treatments; Acne Treatment: Home Remedies; Staff; 2010
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Suppression Effect of Cinnamomum Cassia Bark-Derived Component On Nitric Oxide Synthesis; H.S. Lee et al.; December 2002
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