Cinnamomum verum
True cinnamon
Cinnamomum verum, commonly known as true cinnamon, is a highly valued aromatic plant native to Sri Lanka. Renowned for its distinctively sweet flavor and therapeutic properties, this medicinal spice is widely utilized in traditional medicine to support digestion, reduce inflammation, and improve blood sugar regulation through its potent antioxidants.
- Scientific name: Cinnamomum verum
- Family: Lauraceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Laurales and the family Lauraceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Cinnamomum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Laurales | WCVP |
| Family | Lauraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cinnamomum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Cinnamomum verum, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In English, specifically in Great Britain, it is referred to as Sri Lanka cinnamon, while in German, it is called Ceylon-Zimtbaum. The plant's identity is further reflected in Catalan as canyeller and in Hungarian as ceyloni fahéjffa. Additionally, in Sinhala, it is known as Cimet.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hu | ceyloni fahéjfa | Wikidata |
| sh | Cimet | Wikidata |
| de | Ceylon-Zimtbaum | Wikidata |
| en-gb | Sri Lanka cinnamon | Wikidata |
| ca | canyeller | Wikidata |
| frr | Ceylon Kaneel | Wikidata |
| ru | Корица | Wikidata |
| sv | äkta kanel | Wikidata |
| ko | 계피 | Wikidata |
| hsb | Skoričnik | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several diverse tropical regions. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence can be found around the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Moving eastward, it is documented within the tropical landscapes of Tanzania. Its range extends into South Tropical Africa, specifically within the territory of Angola. Finally, the species inhabits various parts of the Western Indian Ocean, including the Comoros and Mauritius.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Seychelles | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Cinnamomum verum, is highly valued in traditional medicine for its various therapeutic components derived from different botanical structures. The most commonly utilized part is the bark, which is harvested and dried to be used in numerous medicinal preparations. Within this bark, and throughout the plant, are concentrated essential oils that provide its distinct aromatic and bioactive properties. These essential oils are often extracted as a potent oil used for topical applications or flavoring. While specific parts are often isolated for targeted use, the medicinal profile of the species can also be represented by the whole herb, encompassing the complex chemical synergy found across its entire structure.- Total parts
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 32
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bark | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| essential oils | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| oil | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Essential oils | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole herb | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tree bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inner bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cinnamomum verum has 68 reported phytochemicals identified across 93 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, cinnamon oil, eugenol, Cinnamaldehyde.
- Total chemicals
- 68
- Scientific sources
- 93
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cinnamaldehyde | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| cinnamic acid | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cinnamon oil | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| eugenol | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cinnamaldehyde | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| proanthocyanidins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Eugenol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cinnamtannin B1 | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cinnamomum verum has 26 reported activities identified across 92 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antifungal, Antibacterial, Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 26
- Scientific sources
- 92
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 20 | ★★★★★ |
| Antimicrobial | 15 | ★★★★★ |
| Antifungal | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antibacterial | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Anticancer | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cinnamomum verum has 86 reported medicinal uses identified across 127 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include type 2 diabetes mellitus, COVID-19, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, insulin resistance.
- Total uses
- 86
- Scientific sources
- 127
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| type 2 diabetes mellitus | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| COVID-19 | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| insulin resistance | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| blood pressure | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |