1. ADHD
Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) usually have a learning disability and poor self-confidence. A Taiwan study shows that Cinnamon aromatherapy is a safe and convenient treatment for children with ADHD.
2. Alzheimer’s Disease
According to a post published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, the Cinnamon compound can potentially prevent Alzheimer’s disease. . Scientists at UC Santa Barbara conducted the related research.
ß amyloid polypeptide (Aß) plays a key role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. This study identifies substances in cinnamon extract (CEppt), that prevent the toxicity of Aß on neuronal PC12 cells. Another research underlines Cinnamon and its metabolite sodium benzoate attenuate (NaB) attenuating oxidative stress, protecting memory and learning in an animal model of Alzheimer’s disease.
3. Anti-Bacterial Activity
This research was carried out to confirm the anti-bacterial activity of cinnamon bark oil on the selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. TThe results have confirmed the strong anti-bacterial activity of cinnamon and recommended applying cosmetics, toiletries and disinfectants in a hospital environment as an anti-bacterial agent.
This study highlights the better antimicrobial activity of cinnamon oil than the clove bud oil.
4. Anti-Fungal
Toe-nail fungus (Onychomycosis) is an infection that creates discoloured spots in human toe nails. The fungal spreads nails can become pieces breaking off. Eugenol, the main content of cinnamon leaf oil, contains effective antifungal properties. Cinnamon leaf oil (mixed with 98-99% water) is a natural treatment for toe-nail fungus.
5. Anti-Inflammatory
BMS published a research article in the year 2012 that shows the anti-inflammatory activity of cinnamon water extract (CWC). The results indicate that cinnamon has an observed anti-inflammatory action. This review article is for additional evidence.
6. Anti-oxidant
Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant compared to other antioxidant spices and chemical food preservatives.
A Brasil study suggests cinnamon extracts can be used as food antioxidants and improve food palatability. The antioxidant potentials of volatile oils and oleoresin of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (leaf and bark) were investigated in this study. Research conducted by the University of Agriculture, Pakistan, has concluded the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark oil.
7. Arthritis/ Osteoporosis
The osteoclasts are capable of resorbing bone. Intrinsic defect in the osteoclasts causes serious osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis, implicating RANKL as an essential factor in modulating osteoclast differentiation and activation. This study provides a conclusion that C. zeylanicum inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis.
8. Anti-cancer
Chinese research revealed significant anticancer activity against Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells in vitro.
Cis-diammine dichloroplatinum (CDDP) is one of the most important chemotherapeutic agents for cancer treatment. These findings suggest AEC has protective effects against CDDP-induced toxicity by preventing the activation of various cellular mechanisms mediating apoptotic cell death without compromising the anticancer efficiency of CDDP. However, much more research is needed to confirm the mechanism of action of Cinnamon against cancer.
A study carried out by Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, add supporting for the previously unrecognized role of Cinnamon-derived Michael Acceptor Cinnamic Aldehyde as a dietary Michael acceptor with potential anti-cancer activity.
9. Candida Yeast Infections
A yeast infection results from an overgrowth of yeast (a type of fungus) in the human body. The most common yeast inspection type is Candidia.
University of Kiel, Germany has proven in vitro, essential oils including cinnamon as a cheap and effective antiseptic topical treatment for antibiotic-resistant strains as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and antimycotic-resistant Candida species. This study has identified cinnamon oil (CO) as the most active essential oil and CO as a natural anticandidal agent that can be effectively utilized for the control of the yeasts tested.
10. Dental Health
Study shows cinnamon may act against plaque level and gingivitis. This trial shows water and cinnamon powder mix worked as effective treatment to reduce plaque level and gingivitis, next to chlorhexidine mouthwash. Another study compared herbal extract mouthwash vs chlorhexidine mouthwash and concluded herbal mouthwash may use or improve as an effective agent to reduce plaque level.
11. Diabetes
There are many studies have been carried out to determine blood glucose lowering abilities of cinnamon. A Chinese study published on nrjournal.com, indicates that cinnamon supplementation is able to significantly improve blood glucose control in patients with type-2 diabetes. This is an important double blinded clinical study performed using humans (total of 66 patients with type 2 diabetes) to investigate the ability of cinnamon against type-2 diabetes.
This study has identified cinnamon lowered hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) 0.83% (95% CI, 0.46 –1.20) patients with type 2 diabetes. This review is an update of previous reviews. It summarizes human studies involving cinnamon or its components.
Another study examined effects of Cinnamomum zeylanicum on food consumption, body weight, glycemic control, and lipids in healthy and diabetes-induced rats. The result shows C. zeylanicum has abilities to lower blood glucose, reduce food intake, and improve lipid parameters in rats.
This UK based clinical trial was carried out using total of 435 patients. It concluded cinnamon is beneficially effect on glycaemic control (both HbA1c and FPG). Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial showed a significant decrease in mean HbA1c [0.09%; 95% CI was 0.04e0.14] and mean FPG [0.84 mmol/l; 95% CI was 0.66e1.02].
A narrative review concludes that cinnamon supplements added to standard hypoglycemic medications and other lifestyle therapies had modest effects on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1c.
This journal article confirmed cinnamon as a potential therapy in the discipline of integrative medicine in managing type-2 diabetes. However, it noted Cinnamomum zeylanicum as a safer alternative due to high coumarin content of cinnamomum cassia.
12. Food Preservative
Cinnamon can be used as alternative natural antimicrobial substances in food systems to prevent the growth of foodborne bacteria and extend the shelf-life of the food. This study and this study conclude results. University of Zaragoza (Spain) has proposed, developed, and evaluated new cinnamon based active paper packaging against Rhizopusstolonifer food spoilage.
In 2006, an article published on Journal of Food Protection suggests that essential oils including cinnamon oil represent a good alternative to eliminate microorganisms that can be a hazard for the consumer in unpasteurized fruit juices.
13. Insect Repellent
Cinnamon oil is known as a great-smelling, environmentally friendly, excellent natural insect repellent. Cinnamon leaf oil and water mixture work well against mosquitos. This study analyzed a cinnamon oil based insect-resistant low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film for food packaging.
14. Lowering LDL Cholesterol & Triglycerides
Triglycerides store excess energy from your meal as fat in the body. High triglycerides level subjected to low HDL (good) cholesterol or high LDL (bad) cholesterol. This increases the risk of heart strokes.
Add little amount of cinnamon to your diet will help you to reduce the risk of heart strokes. The results of this study demonstrate that intake of 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon per day reduces triglyceride, serum glucose, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes. This is another study completed on the same topic. This document highlights the requirements of much more studies due to lack of human based studies under the topic.
15. Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a collection of diseases occur together, includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat, high triglyceride levels, etc. It increases the risk of heart attack and diabetes.
A review published in 2010 by the Diabetes Technology Society (DTS), concluded abilities of cinnamon that alleviation and prevention of the symptoms of metabolic syndrome.
16. Parkinson’s Disease
Cinnamon may use as a combat agent to stop progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Neurological scientists at Rush University Medical Center discovered cinnamon is able to turn back biomechanical, cellular and anatomical movements that appear in the brains of mice with PD.
17. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Results of a well-designed clinical study that published by University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that manganese (Mn) rich diet may help reduce symptoms of PMS. Cinnamon is a great source of manganese. According to USDA national nutrient database, 100g of cinnamon contains 17.4 mg of manganese.
18. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
The Columbia University conduct a double-blinded randomized trial through 45 women with PCOS, to determine the effect of cinnamon on menstrual cyclicity and metabolic dysfunction in women with PCOS. The study revealed and proposed cinnamon as a possible alternative therapy for PCOS.
19. Spice
From centuries, cinnamon became a popular spice in Asian cuisines. It is among the earliest spices used. Cinnamon adds taste and aroma for many popular foods including your favorite ‘cinnamon rolls’.
20. HIV
Cinnamon extract was tested against HIV virus. IND02 represents an interesting class of botanical molecule that binds to HIV-1 envelope protein, including the co receptor binding site, impairing HIV interaction with co-receptors on target cells. This study results was observed in presence of IND02 supporting additional adjuvant mechanisms that could enhance immune responses against HIV.
21. HSV-1 & HSV-2
This study was tested antiviral activity of Eugenol, which is the main content of cinnamon leaf oil, against HSV-1 and HSV- 2 viruses. The viral yield of both HSV-1 and HSV-2 viruses were significantly diminished by Eugenol.
Notes:
- Please consult a doctor before take alternative medicines.
- The recommended daily intake (RDI) of cinnamon is set by US department of health as 6g per day up to maximum 6 weeks.
- Continuous intake of coumarin rich cinnamon may create serious health injuries.
- Most studies were carried out based on animal models. More human-based clinical trials are needed to confirm the findings.