The smell of cinnamon is always inviting—and, as it turns out, cinnamon’s benefits match its warm, welcoming scent. Derived from trees belonging to the Cinnamomum genus, cinnamon bark contains potassium, manganese, and calcium, along with protective polyphenols, or plant compounds with antioxidant properties.
“Cinnamon has been used for centuries for its various health benefits and aromatic properties,” notes Juhi Singh, CEO and founder of The Juhi Ash Center. To wit, cinnamon features in ancient medicinal traditions like Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, and more. “Cinnamon has been used in food preparations and in traditional medicine by the Egyptians and the Chinese since ancient times,” states a recent scientific overview, going on to note that “the bark of cinnamon has been used as an herbal remedy for the treatment of common colds, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic gastrointestinal and gynecological disorders… treating sore throats, cough, indigestion, abdominal cramps, intestinal spasms, nausea, flatulence, and diarrhea.”
With such an impressive therapuetic history, it is no wonder modern scientists have been studying ways to use the ancient spice to treat some of the most pressing issues of our current era. Read on to learn about some of the proven health benefits of cinnamon—and to find out how to broaden your (perhaps sweets-centric) cinnamon use to reap the rewards.
Types of cinnamon
Though there are several types of cinnamon, you are most likely to be most familiar with cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon. “Cassia is the most common and generally affordable variety, and includes Chinese, Indonesian, and Saigon cinnamon,” says Rachelle Robinett, founder of Pharmakon Supernatural. “Verum or Ceylon cinnamon is processed differently, to deliver a sweeter, more nuanced flavor that’s floral, sweet, and delicately spicy.” (According to Singh, Ceylon cinnamon, which originates from Sri Lanka, is sometimes referred to as “true cinnamon.”)
Robinett notes that all varieties contain phytochemicals, and the tastes and benefits are either enhanced or lost based on how the plants are grown, harvested, and processed. Still, there’s a reason the aromatic bark is so popular. “Cinnamon is accessible, exceedingly simple to use, and profoundly beneficial,” says Robinett.
What are the benefits of cinnamon?
There’s a reason cinnamon has long been used in traditional medicine. Aside from being rich in antioxidants, it contains therapeutic compounds that may help lower blood sugar, treat insulin resistance, and even protect against high blood pressure, heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases.
“In recent decades, scientific research has increasingly explored the potential health benefits of cinnamon, shedding light on its bioactive compounds and their physiological effects,” says Los Angeles and London-based naturopathic Dr. Nigma Talib. “Naturopathic doctors, or NDs, have continued the tradition of using cinnamon in their holistic approaches to patient care, recognizing its potential benefits for conditions such as diabetes, digestive discomfort, inflammation, and more.”
Cinnamon for skin and digestion
Externally, cinnamon works as an antimicrobial that can help with breakouts and other skin conditions. One study even found that Ceylon cinnamon extract may support collagen synthesis when applied topically, while another found that it may help improve skin elasticity.
