Key Constituents

Cinnamaldehyde (cinnamic aldehyde)^[11]

The main volatile-oil constituent; associated with the insulin-sensitising effect.

Proanthocyanidins and other polyphenols^[11]

Antioxidant constituents of the bark.

ProanthocyanidinsPhenolic compounds

Coumarin^[11]

Present in much higher amounts in cassia than in Ceylon cinnamon (~2-5 mg/g); the key safety-limiting compound.

Coumarins

Pharmacological Actions

Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)^{[2, 3, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]}

Lowers fasting blood glucose as an adjunct in type 2 diabetes (evidence is positive but mixed) - recent meta-analyses report reduced fasting glucose, HbA1c and HOMA-IR

Carminative^{[4, 6, 7, 8, 11]}

Warming carminative for indigestion (traditional)

Lipid-lowering^{[3, 11, 12, 14]}

Improves the lipid profile (lowers total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides)

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Bloating^[11]Good · 7/10

inferred from carminative action

more plants for bloating →detailed sources →

Blood sugar / diabetes support^{[11, 12, 13, 14]}Strong · 9/10

Lowers fasting blood glucose as an adjunct in type 2 diabetes (evidence is positive but mixed) - recent meta-analyses report reduced fasting glucose, HbA1c and HOMA-IR

more plants for blood sugar / diabetes support →detailed sources →

Cardiovascular / heart health^{[11, 12, 14]}Strong · 9/10

inferred from lipid-lowering action

more plants for cardiovascular / heart health →detailed sources →

High cholesterol^{[11, 12, 14]}Strong · 9/10

inferred from lipid-lowering action

more plants for high cholesterol →detailed sources →

Indigestion^[11]Good · 7/10

Warming carminative for indigestion (traditional)

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →

Metabolic support^{[11, 12, 13, 14]}Strong · 9/10

inferred from antidiabetic action

more plants for metabolic support →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^[11]Info

Cassia is high in coumarin: regular high intake of cassia bark or supplements can stress or damage the liver. For frequent or medicinal use, prefer true Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) and keep within safe daily limits.

Safety note^[12]Caution

Its blood-sugar-lowering action means it can add to the effect of diabetes medicines (risk of hypoglycaemia); avoid concentrated/medicinal doses in pregnancy (culinary amounts are fine).

References

REF-1819, REF-1820, REF-1821, REF-1822, REF-1823, REF-1824, REF-1825, REF-1826, REF-1827, REF-1828

References & Sources

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https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1190
Yan, Y., Fang, P., Yang, M., Li, N., Lu, Q. and Cheng, Y (2015) 'Anti-diabetic nephropathy compounds from Cinnamomum cassia', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 165, pp. 141-147. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.01.049 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.01.049
Zhang, C., Fan, L., Fan, S., Wang, J., Luo, T., Tang, Y., Chen, Z. and Yu, L (2019) 'Cinnamomum cassia Presl: A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology', Molecules, 24(19), pp. 3473. doi:10.3390/molecules24193473 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24193473
Li, C., Liao, L., Yang, S., Wang, L., Chen, H., Luo, P., Huang, G. and Huang, Y (2024) 'Cinnamaldehyde: An effective component of Cinnamomum cassia inhibiting Helicobacter pylori', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 330, pp. 118222. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2024.118222 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2024.118222
Cordero-Perez, P., Hernandez-Cruz, F.E., Garza-Guzman, D., Moreno-Pena, D.P., Sanchez-Martinez, C., Torres-Gonzalez, L., Munoz-Espinosa, L.E., Zapata-Chavira, H., Cura-Esquivel, I. and Serrano-Sandoval, M.I (2024) 'Antidiabetic and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Cinnamomum cassia Oil in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats', Pharmaceuticals, 17(9), pp. 1135. doi:10.3390/ph17091135 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17091135
Zaidi, S.F., Aziz, M., Muhammad, J.S. and Kadowaki, M (2015) 'Review: Diverse pharmacological properties of Cinnamomum cassia: A review', Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 28(4), pp. 1433-1438. Meta-analysis / review
Find this source
Lee, M.J., Seo, H.J., Hwang, G.S., Choi, S., Park, S.J., Hwang, S. and Kang, K.S (2022) 'Molecular Mechanism of Cinnamomum cassia against Gastric Damage and Identification of Active Compounds', Biomolecules, 12(4), pp. 525. doi:10.3390/biom12040525 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/biom12040525
Han, Y., Song, M., Lee, D., Lee, S., Ahn, H., Yoo, J., Kim, H.J. and Kim, E (2023) 'Gastric Mucosal Protective Effects of Cinnamomum cassia in a Rat Model of Ethanol-Induced Gastric Injury', Nutrients, 16(1), pp. 55. doi:10.3390/nu16010055 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16010055
Kim, S.Y., Koo, Y.K., Koo, J.Y., Ngoc, T.M., Kang, S.S., Bae, K., Kim, Y.S. and Yun-Choi, H.S (2010) 'Platelet anti-aggregation activities of compounds from Cinnamomum cassia', Journal of Medicinal Food, 13(5), pp. 1069-1074. doi:10.1089/jmf.2009.1365 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2009.1365
Mamindla, S., Koganti, V.S.R.G.P., Ravouru, N. and Koganti, B (2017) 'Effect of Cinnamomum cassia on the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Pioglitazone', Current Clinical Pharmacology, 12(1), pp. 41-49. doi:10.2174/1574884712666170207152020 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1574884712666170207152020
(2021) 'Impact of Cassia Bark Consumption on Glucose and Lipid Control in Type 2 Diabetes: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis'. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8361532/ Meta-analysis / review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8361532/
Allen, R.W., Schwartzman, E., Baker, W.L., Coleman, C.I. and Phung, O.J (2013) 'Cinnamon use in type 2 diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis', Annals of Family Medicine. doi:10.1370/afm.1517 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1517
Moridpour, A.H., Kavyani, Z., Khosravi, S., Farmani, E., Daneshvar, M., Musazadeh, V. and Faghfouri, A.H (2023) 'The effect of cinnamon supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: An updated systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials', Phytotherapy Research, 38(1), pp. 117--130. doi:10.1002/ptr.8026 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8026
de Moura, S.L., Gomes, B.G.R., Guilarducci, M.J., Coelho, O.G.L., Guimaraes, N.S. and Gomes, J.M.G (2025) 'Effects of cinnamon supplementation on metabolic biomarkers in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Nutrition Reviews, 83(2), pp. 249--279. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuae058 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuae058

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