Re: Digestive Disturbances- Natural Remedies (Cinnamon)

[Guest guest]

As a follow up with more detailed information on Cinnamon that can

be used to help alleviate digestive problems, I have pasted below a

part of a peer-reviewed medical resource called Healthnotes. This

resource was the brainchild of one of the most respected alternative

medical doctors, Alan Gaby, MD. Gaby is a professor at the most

prestigious alternative medical college in the nation, Bastyr

University, so I feel very comfortable as to the accuracy and

reliability of this information.

So you feel completely comfortable with the accuracy, I am copying a

summary of a description of the publication. The Healthnotes

writing team is composed of experts in complementary and alternative

medicine from the fields of medicine, pharmacy, nursing,

naturopathy, public health, and chiropractic, overseen by our Chief

Medical Editor, Alan Gaby, MD. No other organization has a group

with so much combined expertise as practitioners and educators in

this emerging field. Crucial to the integrity of Healthnotes

information is the balance, objectivity, and discipline upon which

our writers insist. Combing through over 550 journals on a regular

basis, the team prides itself on being completely up-to-date in each

member's area of expertise.

Beth

CINNAMON

Botanical name: Cinnamomum zeylanicum

HEALTH CONDITIONS

SECONARY; Diabetes OTHER; Colic, Indigestion, Menorrhagia, Yeast

infection

BOTANY

Most people are familiar with the sweet but pungent taste of the

oil, powder, or sticks of bark from the cinnamon tree. Cinnamon

trees grow in a number of tropical areas, including parts of India,

China, Madagascar, Brazil, and the Caribbean.

HISTORICAL or TRADITIONAL USE

Cinnamon is an ancient herbal medicine mentioned in Chinese texts as

long ago as 4,000 years. It has a broad range of historical uses in

different cultures, including the treatment of diarrhea, rheumatism,

and certain menstrual disorders.(1)

ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS and PROPOSED MECHANISM of ACTION

Various terpenoids found in the volatile oil are believed to account

for cinnamon's medicinal effects. Important among these compounds

are eugenol and cinnamaldehyde. Both cinnamaldehyde and cinnamon oil

vapors are potent anti-fungal compounds.(2) Preliminary human

evidence confirms this effect in a clinical trial with AIDS patients

suffering from oral candida (thrush) infections that improved with

topical application of cinnamon oil.(3) Antibacterial actions have

also been demonstrated for cinnamon.(4) The diterpenes in the

volatile oil have shown anti-allergic activity(5) as well. In

addition, water extracts may help reduce ulcers.(6) Test tube

studies also show that cinnamon can augment the action of insulin.

(7) However, use of cinnamon to improve the action of insulin in

people with diabetes has yet to be proven in clinical trials.

RECOMMENDED DOSAGE

The German Commission E monograph suggests 1/2–3/4 teaspoon

(2–4

grams) of the powder per day.(8) A tea can be prepared from the

powdered herb by boiling 1/2 teaspoon (2–3 grams) of the powder

for

ten to fifteen minutes, cooling, and then drinking. No more than a

few drops of volatile oil should be used and only for a few days at

a time. A tincture (1/2 teaspoon or 2–3 ml) may also be taken TID.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Some people develop bronchial constriction or skin rash after

exposure to cinnamon.(9) Therefore, only small amounts should be

used initially in people who have not previously had contact with

cinnamon, and anyone with a known allergy should avoid it. Chronic

use of the concentrated oil may cause inflammation in the mouth.

According to the German Commission E monograph, cinnamon is not

recommended for use by pregnant women.(10)

At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions

with cinnamon.

REFERENCES:

1. Leung AY, S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients

Used in Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2d ed. New York: Wiley &

Sons, 1996, 168–70.

2. Singh HB, Srivastava M, Singh AB, Srivastava AK. Cinnamon bark

oil, a potent fungitoxicant against fungi causing respiratory tract

mycoses. Allergy 1995;50:995–9.

3. Quale JM, Landman D, Zaman MM, et al. In vitro activity of

Cinnamomum zeylanicum against azole resistant and sensitive Candida

species and a pilot study of cinnamon for oral candidiasis. Am J

Chin Med 1996;24:103–9.

4. Azumi S, Tanimura A, Tanamoto K. A novel inhibitor of bacterial

endotoxin derived from cinnamon bark. Biochem Biophys Res Commun

1997;234:506–10.

5. Nagai H, Shimazawa T, Matsuura N, Koda A. Immunopharmacological

studies of the aqueous extract of Cinnamomum cassia (CCAq). I. Anti-

allergic action. Jpn J Pharmacol 1982;32:813–22.

6. Akira T, Tanaka S, Tabata M. Pharmacological studies on the

antiulcerogenic activity of Chinese cinnamon. Planta Med 1986;

(6):440–3.

7. Berrio LF, Polansky MM, RA. Insulin activity:

stimulatory effects of cinnamon and brewer's yeast as influenced

by

albumin. Horm Res 1992;37:225–9.

8. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete

Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines.

Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 110–1.

9. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete

Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines.

Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 110–1.

10. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete

Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines.

Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 110–1.

Copyright © 2004 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved.

www.healthnotes.com

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug

Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat,

cure or prevent any disease.