Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Twak Cinnamon

Cinnamomum verum

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 nameCinnamomum verum
FamilyLauraceae · other entries in this family
OrderLaurales
Also known asTwak, Twak Cinnamon, Twak-Cinnamon, TwakCinnamon, Cinnamomum verum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Pharmacopoeia statusHMPC (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.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3033987 · Wikidata Q370239 · NCBI Taxonomy 128608

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishTwak Cinnamon
Latin/BotanicalCinnamomum verum

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • Cinnamaldehyde (65% of bark oil)
  • Eugenol (75-80% of leaf oil)
  • Cinnamyl acetate
  • Linalool
  • Cinnamic acid (polyphenol)
  • Coumarin (trace amounts: 0.012-0.143 mg/g in Ceylon variety)
  • Camphor
  • Copane

How does it work?

  • Cinnamaldehyde enhances insulin receptor phosphorylation and increases GLUT4 translocation, improving cellular glucose uptake
  • Activation of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) pathway leads to enhanced fatty acid oxidation and reduced lipogenesis
  • 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 activity through direct free radical scavenging and upregulation of endogenous antioxidant 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 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?

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 (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 - closely related Cinnamomum species
  • Chromium picolinate - synergistic glycemic support
  • Fenugreek (Methi) - complementary insulin-sensitizing action
  • Gudmar (Gymnema) - blood sugar management combination

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses2

  1. 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 trialsFrontiers in nutrition. PMID 41256917 · doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1683477
  2. Moini Jazani A, Hamdi K, Tansaz M and others. 2018. Herbal Medicine for Oligomenorrhea and Amenorrhea: A Systematic Review of Ancient and Conventional MedicineBioMed research international. PMID 29744355 · doi:10.1155/2018/3052768

Randomised controlled trials1

  1. Arentz S, Smith CA, Abbott J and others. 2017. Combined Lifestyle and Herbal Medicine in Overweight Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A Randomized Controlled TrialPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 28685911 · doi:10.1002/ptr.5858

Other clinical studies and reviews8

  1. Campos DR, de Jesus ILR, Scott FB and others. 2025. Essential Oils and Bioproducts for Flea Control: A Critical ReviewInsects. PMID 41465713 · doi:10.3390/insects16121276
  2. Baniamerian R, Tahermohammadi H, Daneshfard B and others. 2023. Herbal Treatment of COPD and Asthma According to Persian Medicine: a Review of Current EvidenceTanaffos. PMID 38628881
  3. 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 ReviewNutrients. PMID 35807953 · doi:10.3390/nu14132773
  4. Gu DT, Tung TH, Jiesisibieke ZL and others. 2021. Safety of Cinnamon: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews of Randomized Clinical TrialsFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 35115937 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.790901
  5. Yakhchali M, Taghipour Z, Mirabzadeh Ardakani M and others. 2021. Cinnamon and its possible impact on COVID-19: The viewpoint of traditional and conventional medicineBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. PMID 34563952 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112221
  6. Singh N, Rao AS, Nandal A and others. 2021. Phytochemical and pharmacological review of Cinnamomum verum J. Presl-a versatile spice used in food and nutritionFood chemistry. PMID 32829297 · doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127773
  7. 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 protocolMedicine. PMID 31895796 · doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000018553
  8. 2006. Cinnamon PMID 40986675

Laboratory and animal studies1

  1. Pagliari S, Forcella M, Lonati E and others. 2023. Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl) Bark Extract after In Vitro Digestion SimulationFoods (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36765979 · doi:10.3390/foods12030452

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