As a spice, it is used for cooking and flavoring, but cinnamon bark and its extract can be used for medicinal purposes. Traditionally, it has been used to treat stomach upset and painful periods, but research is being done on several other benefits as well. As with any supplement, if you are interested in using cinnamon bark extract for health reasons, check with your doctor to see if it is safe and appropriate for you to use.
Anti-Cancer Benefits
Cinnamon bark extract may have antioxidant and anti-tumor properties. A 2010 study published in "BMC Cancer" found that cinnamon extract caused cell death in the SiHa line of cervical cancer cells in the laboratory. Another study, in the journal "Molecules," found that cinnamon extract activated antioxidant responses in colon cells, which protected them against damage that could lead to colorectal cancer. More research needs to be done, so talk with your doctor about whether cinnamon bark extract would be helpful to you.
Effects on Glucose
Individuals with diabetes or who have trouble controlling their blood sugar levels may derive benefits from using cinnamon bark extract. According to a 2011 study in the journal "Nutrition and Metabolism," diabetic rats who consumed cinnamon bark extract displayed lower post-meal glucose levels than those rats who did not consume the cinnamon. Not all clinical trials, especially those with human subjects, have been able to reproduce these beneficial effects on diabetes, says Drugs.com. If you have diabetes or problems with your blood glucose, ask your doctor whether it is safe to use cinnamon bark extract before consuming it.
Antimicrobial Effects
Cinnamon may have antimicrobial effects that may be helpful when used topically to treat infections. A 2010 study in "Food and Chemical Toxicology" found that cinnamon bark extract oil had antimicrobial effects against 21 bacteria and 4 Candida species. More research needs to be done on the antimicrobial properties of cinnamon, so talk with your doctor before using cinnamon bark extract for any infections or fungi.
Considerations
Too much cinnamon bark extract may have adverse effects. According to Drugs.com, large quantities of this substance can cause increased sweating, elevated heart rate, fast breathing and increased intestinal movement. Later, it may cause depression or fatigue. Cinnamon oil has been linked to some oral cancers, so talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using cinnamon bark extract and how much is safe to consume. Used as a food, cinnamon extract is safe for pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding, but the safety of using cinnamon for medicinal purposes has not been established in this population.
References
- "BMC Cancer"; Aqueous Cinnamon Extract (ACE-c) From the Bark of Cinnamomum Cassia Causes Apoptosis in Human Cervical Cancer Cell Line (SiHa) Through Loss of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential; SJ Koppikar, et al.; 2010
- "Molecules"; The Cinnamon-Derived Dietary Factor Cinnamic Aldehyde Activates the Nrf2-dependent Antioxidant Response in Human Epithelial Colon Cells; GT Wondrak, et al.; 2010
- "Nutrition and Metabolism"; Cinnamon Extract Inhibits Alpha-Glucosidase Activity and Dampens Postprandial Glucose Excursion in Diabetic Rats; MS Shihabudeen, et al.; 2011
- Drugs.com; Complete Cinnamon Information; 2011
- "Food Chemistry and Toxicology"; Composition, Antimicrobial Activity and In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Essential Oil from Cinnamon Zeylanicum Blume; M Unlu, et al.; 2010
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