# Twak Cinnamon

> Twak Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Lauraceae family. HMPC (Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products of EMA) has classified Cinnamon|cinnamon bark as a traditional herbal medicinal product.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Cinnamomum verum
- **Family:** Lauraceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** HMPC (Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products of EMA) has classified Cinnamon|cinnamon bark as a traditional herbal medicinal product. ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy) recommends it for dyspeptic complaints. Listed in European Pharmacopoeia, British Pharmacopoeia, and Indian Pharmacopoeia. WHO recognizes cinnamaldehyde as a flavoring agent with established safety profile.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | [Twak Cinnamon](/herb/twak-cinnamon/) |
| Latin/Botanical | *Cinnamomum verum* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Cinnamaldehyde (65% of bark oil)
- [Eugenol](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#eugenol) (75-80% of leaf oil)
- Cinnamyl acetate
- [Linalool](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#linalool)
- Cinnamic acid (polyphenol)
- [Coumarin](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#coumarin) (trace amounts: 0.012-0.143 mg/g in Ceylon variety)
- [Camphor](/herb/camphor/)
- Copane

## How does it work?

- Cinnamaldehyde enhances insulin receptor phosphorylation and increases GLUT4 translocation, improving cellular [glucose](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#glucose) uptake
- Activation of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) pathway leads to enhanced fatty acid oxidation and reduced lipogenesis
- [Polyphenols](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#polyphenols) (cinnamic acid, eugenol) inhibit alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase, slowing carbohydrate digestion and absorption
- Anti-inflammatory mechanism via suppression of NF-kB activation and reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6, CRP)
- [Antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) activity through direct free radical scavenging and upregulation of endogenous antioxidant [enzymes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#enzymes) (SOD, catalase, GPx)

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Blood sugar regulation in diabetes - extensively validated by multiple RCTs and meta-analyses showing significant glycemic and HbA1c improvements
- Carminative and digestive aid for dyspepsia and flatulence - confirmed by ESCOP recommendations based on clinical evidence
- Anti-inflammatory use for joint and muscle pain - supported by clinical evidence of reduced inflammatory markers (CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-6)
- [Antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) use for infections - validated by in vitro and in vivo studies showing broad-spectrum activity of cinnamaldehyde
- Lipid-lowering for cardiovascular protection - confirmed by clinical trials showing reduced triglycerides, LDL-C, and total cholesterol

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Gou H, Zhong L, Wei Q and others 2025. [The effects of cinnamon on patients with metabolic diseases: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41256917/). *Frontiers in nutrition*. PMID [41256917](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41256917/) · [doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1683477](https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1683477)  
  Comprehensive umbrella review across PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library (up to March 2025) confirmed cinnamon supplementation improves metabolic parameters in diabetes, metabolic syndrome, PCOS, NAFLD, and hypertension.
- Gu DT, Tung TH, Jiesisibieke ZL and others 2021. [Safety of Cinnamon: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews of Randomized Clinical Trials](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35115937/). *Frontiers in pharmacology*. PMID [35115937](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35115937/) · [doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.790901](https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.790901)  
  Systematic safety review found cinnamon supplementation to be generally safe in clinical trial settings with no serious adverse events reported; confirmed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic benefits.
- Neto JCGL, Damasceno MMC, Ciol MA and others 2020. [Analysis of the effectiveness of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) in the reduction of glycemic and lipidic levels of adults with type 2 diabetes: A study protocol](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31895796/). *Medicine*. PMID [31895796](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31895796/) · [doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000018553](https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000018553)  
  Phase II double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 3 grams/day Cinnamomum verum for 90 days showed significant reductions in glycemic and lipid levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.
- Silva ML, Bernardo MA, Singh J and others 2022. [Cinnamon as a Complementary Therapeutic Approach for Dysglycemia and Dyslipidemia Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Its Molecular Mechanism of Action: A Review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35807953/). *Nutrients*. PMID [35807953](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35807953/) · [doi:10.3390/nu14132773](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132773)  
  Reviewed molecular mechanisms of cinnamon's [antidiabetic](/reference/antidiabetic/) activity: enhances insulin receptor signaling, increases GLUT4 translocation, activates AMPK pathway, and inhibits alpha-glucosidase.

*1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Ceylon cinnamon (C. verum) contains negligible coumarin (0.012-0.143 mg/g) compared to cassia cinnamon; German BfR established TDI of 0.1 mg coumarin/kg body weight to protect against hepatotoxicity
- Ceylon cinnamon classified as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by US-FDA; umbrella review of RCTs (2022) found no serious adverse events at supplemental doses
- HMPC (European Herbal Medicines Committee) classified cinnamon bark as a traditional herbal medicinal product; caution advised for patients on diabetes or anticoagulant medications due to potential synergistic effects

## What is it made of?

### Key Active Markers

- Eugenol
- Linalool
- Coumarin
- Camphor
- Cinnamaldehyde 
- Cinnamyl acetate
- 
- Cinnamic acid 
- Copane

**Analytical Methods:** HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Capsule, Tablet, Kwatha (decoction), Essential oil, Tincture, Softgel, Tea/Infusion

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3 g powder twice daily; 250-500 mg standardized extract twice daily; 1-2 drops essential oil in warm water

**Bioavailability:** Trans-cinnamaldehyde (primary active) has good oral bioavailability (~50-60%) with rapid absorption and Tmax of 30-60 minutes; rapidly oxidized to cinnamic acid and conjugated to hippuric acid for renal excretion. Type-A [proanthocyanidins](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#proanthocyanidins) (insulin-sensitizing fraction) have low oral bioavailability (<10%) but may act locally on GI epithelium. Coumarin (significant in Cinnamomum cassia, much lower in C. verum) has high bioavailability (~60-80%) but hepatotoxicity concern limits acceptable daily intake to <0.1 mg/kg/day (EFSA).

**Optimal Timing:** With or after meals for glycemic management; before meals for appetite stimulation; morning and evening dosing

**Standardized Extract:** Bark extract standardized to >8% type-A proanthocyanidins (for glycemic support, e.g., Cinnulin PF); essential oil standardized to >65% cinnamaldehyde by GC-FID; total polyphenols >20% (as gallic acid equivalent). Coumarin <0.1% for C. verum origin.

**Shelf Life:** Bark sticks: 24-36 months; Ground powder: 12-18 months; Essential oil: 36 months; Capsules/Tablets: 24-36 months; Tincture: 36-48 months

**Storage:** Airtight containers at 15-25 deg C, protected from light and moisture. Essential oil in amber glass. Bark sticks have longer shelf life than ground powder. Cinnamaldehyde oxidizes on prolonged air exposure.

**Marker Compounds:** trans-Cinnamaldehyde, Cinnamyl acetate, Eugenol, Coumarin, Proanthocyanidin A2, Cinnamic acid, Linalool, beta-Caryophyllene, Cinnamyl alcohol

### Extraction Methods

- Steam distillation for essential oil (bark and leaf)
- Hydroethanolic extraction (60-80% ethanol)
- Supercritical CO2 extraction
- Aqueous decoction
- Water-ethanol extraction for proanthocyanidin-rich fraction

### Synergistic Combinations

- Ela (cardamom) - digestive and flavor synergy
- [Tejapatra](/herb/tejapatra/) - closely related Cinnamomum species
- Chromium picolinate - synergistic glycemic support
- Fenugreek ([Methi](/herb/methi/)) - complementary insulin-sensitizing action
- [Gudmar](/herb/gudmar/) (Gymnema) - blood sugar management combination

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/twak-cinnamon/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.