Preparations and Warnings for Cinnamon

Like all herbs, there are some precautions you should take before using cinnamon medicinally.

Cinnamon Preparations and Dosage

 Dried bark and twigs are ground into fine powder or cut into small chunks for decoctions and drunk as a tea. Some herbal cinnamon recipes are below.

Cinnamon Herbal Tea
To make cinnamon tea: Boil 1 teaspoon of dried bark in a cup of hot water, and drink a cup or two when needed.

For women who tend to have heavy periods, drinking several cups of cinnamon tea a day before or during your period may be helpful.
Tincture: Take 1/4 to 1 teaspoon at a time, usually combined with other herbs. Use the higher doses for a menstrual period that is much heavier than usual.

Essential oil: The volatile oil from cinnamon is distilled and used as a flavoring and aromatic agent. Use a single drop of cinnamon essential oil diluted in a sip of water as a mouth rinse to freshen your breath and for mouth and gum infections. Use eight to ten drops of cinnamon essential oil in a 2-ounce tincture bottle for flavor or medicinal effects. Keep essential oils out of your eyes.

Spiced Cider: You will need the following items.
  •     5  cinnamon sticks
  •     3  star anise
  •     5  whole allspice kernels
  •     5  whole cloves
  •     1  tsp nutmeg
  •     1  gallon apple cider
  •     1  or 2 oranges
Blend cinnamon, star anise, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and apple cider in a large pot. Use a zester or grater to remove the rind of the oranges, and add to the cider mix. (You also can cut the rind, taking care to remove any pith, and grind it in a blender with a bit of the cider; then add it to the pot.) Add the juice of the oranges to the cider. Heat to just below simmer for several hours. Ladle into mugs and serve with a cinnamon stick.

Cinnamon Precautions and Warnings

Avoid this herb if you have a high fever, are red and sweating, or have irritable bowel syndrome. If you have multiple allergies or sensitivities, use cinnamon cautiously. If you're pregnant, you may use cinnamon in baking, but avoid more than a cup of cinnamon tea each day.  

Side Effects of Cinnamon

Some people may experience a warming sensation or sweating, and some may experience headaches, nausea, or diarrhea after ingesting two or more cupfuls of a strong cinnamon tea or spiced cider. People with irritable bowel conditions and allergies may react to this herb.

If you have a fever or diarrhea caused by irritation or stimulation in the intestines, such as with stomach flu, food poisoning, irritable bowel, or colitis, cinnamon may worsen the condition. (Most sudden onset, acute episodes of diarrhea are due to inflammation, irritation, or infection, and a strong dose of cinnamon could further stimulate the bowels.) If you have a severe irritable bowel, a bowl of cinnamon-flavored cereal could have a laxative effect.

To learn more about treating common medical conditions at home, try the following links:
  • For an overview of all of our herbal remedies, go to the main Herbal Remedies page.
  • To learn more about treating medical conditions at home, visit our main Home Remedies page.
  • One of the best things you can do for your health and well being is to make sure you are getting enough of the vital nutrients your body needs. Visit our Vitamins page to learn more.  
Jennifer Brett, N.D. is director of the Acupuncture Institute for the University of Bridgeport, where she also serves on the faculty for the College of Naturopathic Medicine. A recognized leader in her field with an extensive background in treating a wide variety of disorders utilizing nutritional and botanical remedies, Dr. Brett has appeared on WABC TV (NYC) and on Good Morning America to discuss utilizing herbs for health.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

Before engaging in any complementary medical technique, including the use of natural or herbal remedies, you should be aware that many of these techniques have not been evaluated in scientific studies.   Use of these remedies in connection with over the counter or prescription medications can cause severe adverse reactions. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about whether practitioners are required to be professionally licensed. If you plan to visit a practitioner, it is recommended that you choose one who is licensed by a recognized national organization and who abides by the organization's standards. It is always best to speak with your primary health care provider before starting any new therapeutic technique.