true cinnamon

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Ceylon Cinnamon
• Sri Lanka Cinnamon
• True Cinnamon

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Camphorina cinnamomum
• Persea cinnamomum
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. decandollei
• Laurus cinnamifera
• Laurus montana
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. meissneri
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. antillanum
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. wolkensteinii
• Camphora mauritiana
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. variabile
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. cassia
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. vaillantii
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. zollingeri
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. cordifolium
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. foeniculaceum
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum asperifolium
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. inodorum
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. mauritianum
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. microphyllum
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. madrassicum
• Cinnamomum maheanum
• Cinnamomum karrouwa
• Cinnamomum leptopus
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. leschenaultii
• Laurus cinnamomea
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. ovatum
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. pallasii
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. sonneratii
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. sieberi
• Laurus cinnamomum makoyanum
• Cinnamomum riedelii
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum chartaceum
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. regelii
• Cinnamomum mathewianum var. ponmudianum
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. roxburghii
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. pourretii
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. pleei
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. humboldtii
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. erectum
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. ellipticum
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. delessertii
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. cordifolium
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. commersonii
• Cinnamomum antillarum
• Cinnamomum alexii
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. barthii
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. bengalense
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. biafranum
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. bonplandii
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. boutonii
• Cinnamomum carolinense var. oblongum
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. capense
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. cayennense
• Cinnamomum maheanum var. karrouwa
• Cinnamomum mathewianum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cinnamomum verum is characterized by its preference for tropical and subtropical environments, typically thriving in humid, well-drained soils under varying canopy conditions. It occupies a specific altitudinal niche within its natural habitat, maintaining an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 200 m AMSL to a maximum of 800 m AMSL. This vertical distribution indicates that the species favors lowland to mid-elevation zones, where temperature and moisture levels remain relatively stable and conducive to its growth cycles. Its presence is often associated with moist, shaded areas, where it plays a role in the forest structure by contributing to the biomass and supporting local biodiversity through its leaf litter and nectar-producing flowers.

Elevational range max:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Genetics

The genetics of Cinnamomum verum are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that serves as a fundamental component of its cytogenetic profile. The species possesses a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 24, a trait that is consistent within its taxonomic classification and plays a critical role in its reproductive stability and evolutionary lineage. This chromosomal count provides the structural basis for the plant's genetic inheritance, influencing the complexity of its genome and its ability to maintain morphological and biochemical consistency. Understanding this chromosomal makeup is essential for studying the genetic diversity and potential for varietal improvement within the species.

Chromosome number :

24

Life history

The life history of Cinnamomum verum is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence in its natural habitat. Throughout its development, the species maintains an evergreen status, ensuring that its foliage remains lush and functional year-round without undergoing a seasonal shedding period. This continuous leaf presence supports its steady metabolic processes and contributes to its robust growth cycle over many years.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cinnamomum verum is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, typically reaching a mean plant height of approximately 13 m. It is a terrestrial species that functions as a self-supporting organism, neither requiring climbing structures like lianas or vines nor acting as an epiphyte. As an independent species, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining a robust, self-sufficient structural habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

13 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of Cinnamomum verum is characterized by specific morphological dimensions and metabolic constraints. The foliage exhibits a standardized structural range, with leaf lengths typically measuring between 10 cm and 15 cm. The width of these leaves is similarly regulated, varying from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic metabolic processes, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nitrogen availability rather than biological nitrogen fixation through symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria.

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cinnamomum verum is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops a fruit characterized as a berry. These fruits are indehiscent, meaning they do not split open at maturity to release their contents. The seeds contained within the fruit are relatively small and uniform in size, with a mean, minimum, and maximum seed mass all recorded at 0.5682 g. Furthermore, the fruits reach a maximum length of approximately 1 cm, providing a protective vessel for the developing offspring.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.5682 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cinnamomum verum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Cancer biotherapy & radiopharmaceuticals
2. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences
3. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Chemicals

Cinnamomum verum has 246 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, CINNAMIC ACID, Flavonoids, Cinnamon oil.

cinnamaldehyde

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR
4. Journal of biological engineering
5. Pharmaceutical biology

eugenol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Insects
3. Cancer biotherapy & radiopharmaceuticals
4. Phytotherapy research : PTR
5. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

CINNAMIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke
2. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR
4. RSC advances
5. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Flavonoids

1. In silico pharmacology
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
3. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
4. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
5. Medical mycology

Cinnamon oil

1. Poultry science
2. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR
3. Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD
4. Analytical cellular pathology (Amsterdam)

Proanthocyanidins

1. Dr. Duke
2. Dental materials : official publication of the Academy of Dental Materials
3. Journal of separation science
4. Journal of chromatography. A

Alcohols

1. Dr. Duke
2. Inflammopharmacology
3. Metabolites

Linalool

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of food science and technology
3. International journal of molecular sciences

Tannins

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
3. Medical mycology

polyphenols

1. In silico pharmacology
2. Pharmaceutical biology
3. Advances in experimental medicine and biology

Activities

Cinnamomum verum has 644 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Anticancer.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of inflammation
3. Scientific reports
4. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
5. Food chemistry

Antimicrobial

1. Current medicinal chemistry
2. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Frontiers in pharmacology
5. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientific reports
3. Poultry science
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. BMC research notes

Antifungal

1. Advances in dental research
2. Bioinformation
3. Applied microbiology and biotechnology
4. Frontiers in pharmacology
5. Journal of food science and technology

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Cancer biotherapy & radiopharmaceuticals
3. Nutrients
4. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
5. Frontiers in chemistry

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR
4. Frontiers in chemistry
5. Advances in experimental medicine and biology

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of inflammation
3. International journal of molecular sciences
4. BMC oral health

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of inflammation
3. Cancer biotherapy & radiopharmaceuticals
4. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. BMC oral health
4. Frontiers in chemistry

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Drug and chemical toxicology

Conditions

Cinnamomum verum has 86 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include type 2 diabetes mellitus, COVID-19, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, insulin resistance.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

1. Blood pressure
2. Complementary therapies in medicine
3. Journal of diabetes
4. Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD
5. PloS one

Covid-19

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
2. Protein and peptide letters
3. Alternative therapies in health and medicine
4. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
5. Current therapeutic research, clinical and experimental

Escherichia coli

1. Poultry science
2. Natural product communications
3. Journal of food protection
4. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Scientific reports
2. Natural product communications
3. Life (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Insulin resistance

1. Daru : journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
2. Biomolecular concepts
3. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences
4. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Alzheimer's disease

1. Pharmacological research
2. Current neuropharmacology
3. Heliyon

Blood pressure

1. Blood pressure
2. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences
3. Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD

Hypertension

1. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
2. Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine
3. International journal of molecular sciences

Obesity

1. Daru : journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
2. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences
3. Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine

Oxidative stress

1. Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme
2. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology
3. Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD

Preparations

Cinnamomum verum has 50 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oils, EOs, Essential oils, bark, essential oil.

Essential oils

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
2. Journal of food protection
3. Mycoses
4. Psychogeriatrics : the official journal of the Japanese Psychogeriatric Society
5. Applied microbiology and biotechnology

Eos

1. Future science OA
2. Iranian journal of microbiology

Essential oils

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. 3 Biotech

Bark

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Advances in experimental medicine and biology

Essential oil

1. Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme
2. Bioresource technology

Extracts

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

Methanol extract

1. Inflammopharmacology
2. BMC research notes

Alcoholic extracts of the bark

1. Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology

Ceo

1. The journal of contemporary dental practice

Cinnamomum verum bark

1. Journal of separation science