What does it help with?

Blood sugar

In grown-ups with diabetes, cinnamon pills lowered blood sugar Sugar from food that travels in your blood to give your body energy. in many studies. But experts say more good studies are needed.

🟡 Scientists think so

What do the colored dots mean?

🟢 Scientists are sure Strong evidence (several good human trials)
🟡 Scientists think so Some evidence (small human studies)
🟠 Still being studied Early evidence (lab or animal studies only)
🔵 Grandma's wisdom Traditional use (not scientifically confirmed)

Careful if…

For kids OK in normal food Pills, powders & oils: ask a grown-up first

A sprinkle of cinnamon on fruit, porridge or rice pudding is fine for kids. Never swallow dry cinnamon for a dare. Cinnamon pills are for grown-ups.

Large amounts

⛔ Avoid

Never swallow a spoonful of dry cinnamon as a dare. It can get into your lungs and really hurt you.
Liver problems

⚠️ Ask a doctor first

Eating lots of cassia cinnamon every day may tire the liver. Normal amounts in food are fine.
Pregnancy

⚠️ Ask a doctor first

Cinnamon in food is fine for mums expecting a baby. Big amounts or pills are not.
Diabetes medicines

👀 Be careful

People taking diabetes medicine should ask their doctor before cinnamon pills.
Allergies

👀 Be careful

Some people get an itchy rash from cinnamon oil or powder on the skin.

If you have too much…

A sore tummy if you have a lot.

Natural does not always mean safe. Always ask a grown-up before trying something new, and a doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement. Try the safety check →

What is it?

Cinnamon comes from the bark of a tree that grows in hot, wet places. Farmers peel the bark, and it curls up into sticks as it dries. The sticks can be ground into a brown powder.

Cinnamon smells sweet and warm. We use it in cakes, rice pudding, tea and Moroccan tagines.

How people use it

In the kitchen

In cakes, cookies and rice pudding.
In Moroccan dishes like pastilla and sweet tagines.
A cinnamon stick in tea or warm milk.

Traditional uses

🔵 Grandma's wisdom — not proven by science

A warming spice in many old home remedies.

Home & garden

Cinnamon sticks make a kitchen smell cosy.

Fun facts

A cinnamon stick is a rolled-up piece of tree bark!
There are two main kinds: Ceylon cinnamon and cassia cinnamon.
Long ago, cinnamon was so precious that it was given as a gift to kings.

Grow it yourself

🙅 Cinnamon comes from a big tropical tree that needs a hot, wet climate, so it is very hard to grow at home.

Quiz time!

Answer 3 questions. Get 2 right to win this plant’s badge for your garden!

Cinnamon sticks come from which part of a tree?
Someone dares you to swallow a spoonful of dry cinnamon. What do you do?
Which cinnamon has more coumarin?

Your plant card

Print it, cut it out and collect them all!

Cinnamon

Cinnamomum verum (Ceylon), Cinnamomum cassia (cassia)

Superpowers: Blood sugar
Careful: Large amounts, Liver problems

🤩 A cinnamon stick is a rolled-up piece of tree bark!

For grown-ups: science, amounts & safety

Tap to open

General information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before using any herbal supplement — especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding, for children, before surgery, or if you take medicines. Medical disclaimer

What the research says

Use	Evidence	Details
Blood sugar	🟡 Some evidence (small human studies)	A 2024 dose-response meta-analysis of 24 randomised trials in type 2 diabetes found cinnamon supplements reduced fasting glucose, insulin resistance and HbA1c^[2]. NCCIH, however, considers it unclear whether cinnamon helps diabetes and calls for higher-quality research^[1].

Who should be careful & interactions

⛔ Avoid Large amounts: Never take part in the “cinnamon challenge” (swallowing dry cinnamon powder): serious harm is possible^[1].
⚠️ Ask a doctor first Liver problems: Cassia cinnamon contains coumarin, which has been linked to liver problems; some cassia products contain high levels, so prolonged use may be an issue for sensitive people such as those with liver disease. Ceylon cinnamon contains only traces^[1].
⚠️ Ask a doctor first Pregnancy: Cinnamon in food amounts appears safe during pregnancy, but larger amounts of Ceylon cinnamon are considered unsafe; little is known about larger amounts while breastfeeding^[1].
👀 Be careful Diabetes medicines: Because cinnamon supplements may lower glucose^[2], people on glucose-lowering medicines should monitor their blood sugar and inform their doctor; tell your provider about any supplement you take^[1].
👀 Be careful Allergies: Allergic reactions occur, and some topical cinnamon oils or powders may cause skin irritation or contact dermatitis^[1].

Possible side effects

Mild In large amounts or with long use: mostly gastrointestinal problems or allergic reactions^[1].

Names & identifiers

Scientific name: Cinnamomum verum (Ceylon), Cinnamomum cassia (cassia)
Also called: Ceylon cinnamon, Cassia
Wikidata: Q370239

Sources

Cinnamon National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), NIH · Guideline
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 · 2024 · Research review · PubMed

✅ Reviewed by sm_owner on September 26, 2026.

Last updated September 25, 2026. How we write and check our pages

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