Cinnamon adds a pungent flavor to a variety of baked goods and savory foods. In addition to its culinary uses, some traditional medicine practitioners use cinnamon as a healing agent. While this common spice is not toxic in small doses, it may be dangerous in higher amounts. Talk to your doctor before using cinnamon in large doses to treat a medical condition.
Uses
People commonly use cinnamon to flavor sweet foods, including pies, chocolate, doughnuts, cookies, candies and sweet rolls. The spice is also an addition to savory dishes in India, the Middle East and other cultures. Some dishes use cinnamon bark while others use powdered cinnamon. Alternative medicine practitioners sometimes use cinnamon essential oil to treat skin infections, heart disorders, respiratory disorders and inflammation.
Coumarin
Coumarin is a chemical naturally found in cinnamon that contributes to its flavor and fragrance. According to the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, some people are particularly sensitive to coumadin. In these individuals, eating moderate amounts of cinnamon or using medicinal cinnamon may cause liver problems. The European Food Safety Authority recommends that adults limit their daily coumarin intake to .1 mg per kilogram of body weight. Cassia cinnamon contains relatively high levels of coumarin, while ceylon cinnamon contains less of this chemical.
Cinnamon Oil
Although cinnamon oil is often used in alternative medicine, it can be dangerous for some individuals. According to case reports from the Pittsburgh Poison Center, children and adolescents sometimes abuse cinnamon oil by ingesting it. Common reactions to the oil include facial flushing, oral burning, nausea, abdominal pain and skin irritation. Applying cinnamon essential oil or ointments containing cinnamon extract can also cause skin irritation.
Considerations
Some people experience allergic reactions to cinnamon in baked goods or cinnamon extract used medicinally. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment reports that a compound called cinnamonaldehyde may increase the risk of birth defects, so pregnant women should limit their intake of dietary cinnamon. Although large amounts of cinnamon may cause harmful effects, small to moderate doses of cinnamon are fine for most people. Discuss your cinnamon use with a physician to ensure it is safe for you.
References
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment; Frequently Asked Questions About Coumarin in Cinnamon and Other Foods; October 2006
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment; High Daily Intakes of Cinnamon: Health Risk Cannot Be Ruled Out; August 2006
- Veterinary and Human Toxicology; Cinnamon Oil Abuse by Adolescents; P. A. Perry et al.; April 1990
- Miami University: Cinnamon
- University of Texas El Paso; Cinnamon; Armando Gonzalez; 2005
