Kitchen Spice

Cinnamon

SanskritTwakBotanicalCinnamomum verum (syn. Cinnamomum zeylanicum)Also calledCeylon cinnamon, True cinnamon, Dalchini

A sweet, warming bark that Ayurveda uses to bring heat to cold hands, a sluggish belly and the damp, gray days of late winter.

Cinnamon is the inner bark of a tropical tree, peeled and dried until it curls into quills. Its sweet warmth makes it one of the easiest spices to love, and one of the easiest ways to bring Ayurveda into breakfast.

In Ayurveda, cinnamon is a spice for circulation and digestion. It is a classic partner for ginger and cardamom, and it turns up in warming teas, spiced milk and stewed fruit through the colder months.

One thing worth knowing is that most cinnamon sold in North America is cassia, a close cousin. True or Ceylon cinnamon has thinner, papery layers and a softer, sweeter flavor, and it is the gentler choice for everyday use.

Ayurvedic Properties

RasaTastes
  • Pungent
  • Sweet
  • Astringent
ViryaHeating or cooling
Heating
VipakaPost-digestive effect
Sweet
AgniEffect on digestion
Kindles agni

Sweet and warming, it kindles digestion gently enough for daily use.

GunaQualities
  • Light
  • Dry
  • Sharp
TridoshaEffect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha
  • Vata: decreases
  • Pitta: increases in excess
  • Kapha: decreases
  • decreases (calms that dosha)
  • increases (can aggravate it)
  • neutral or balancing
  • not known
  • V Vata · P Pitta · K Kapha

Cinnamon is warming and sweet, a lovely match for cold vata and heavy kapha. Pitta types can enjoy a sprinkle in food but may feel overheated by large amounts.

Traditional Uses

  • Traditionally used to support warmth and healthy circulation to the hands and feet.
  • Traditionally used to support comfortable digestion and a steady appetite.
  • Traditionally used to support clear breathing during cold, damp seasons.
  • Traditionally used to support easier digestion of sweet and heavy foods.

How People Use It

  • FoodSprinkle a pinch over oatmeal, stewed apples or sweet potatoes, or simmer a stick in rice and dal.
  • TeaSimmer a small piece of cinnamon stick with a few slices of ginger and a crushed cardamom pod for 10 minutes.
  • HoneyStir a small pinch of ground cinnamon into a spoonful of raw honey for a warming morning bite.
  • MilkAdd a pinch to warm milk with cardamom and a little nutmeg in the evening.
Try This

Cinnamon Ginger Kitchen Tea

A warming pot for a cold, damp afternoon.

  • 1 small piece of Ceylon cinnamon stick (about 2 inches)
  • 3 or 4 thin slices of fresh ginger
  • 1 cardamom pod, lightly crushed
  • 2 cups water
  • Honey to taste
  1. Combine the cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and water in a small pot.
  2. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
  3. Strain into a mug and let it cool a little.
  4. Stir in honey once it is warm rather than hot, since Ayurveda traditionally avoids cooking honey.

Pairs Well With

Cautions

  • Cinnamon in normal cooking amounts is generally considered safe. These cautions apply to larger amounts, long-term daily use and supplements.
  • Cassia cinnamon, the most common type sold in North America, can contain high levels of coumarin, a natural compound linked to liver damage in sensitive people. True or Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) contains only trace amounts, so it is the better choice for regular use.
  • If you have liver disease, avoid large or long-term amounts of cassia cinnamon.
  • Cinnamon supplements have been reported to cause liver problems when combined with statin drugs, and may affect how some other medications, including diabetes medications, work. Talk with your doctor if you take any medication.
  • Cinnamon in food amounts appears safe during pregnancy, but larger amounts are considered unsafe. Little is known about larger amounts while breastfeeding.
  • Cinnamon oil and cinnamon-flavored products can irritate the skin and mouth. Never take cinnamon essential oil internally, and never try to swallow a spoonful of dry cinnamon powder.
  • Please consult a qualified practitioner or your doctor before using cinnamon therapeutically.

From the Journal

Sources and Further Reading

This page shares how herbs are traditionally used in Ayurveda and other herbal traditions. It is for general education only and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please talk with your doctor or a qualified practitioner before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.