Cinnamomum
Cinnamomum, commonly known as cinnamon, is a versatile medicinal plant prized for its aromatic bark and leaves. Renowned for its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, it has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to support digestive health, regulate blood sugar, and enhance overall immune system function.
- Scientific name: Cinnamomum
- Family: Lauraceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It resides in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Laurales, falling specifically under the family Lauraceae. Ultimately, the medicinal specimen is identified by its 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, is recognized by various names across different languages and cultures. In Czech, it is referred to as Skůrzica, while in Chinese, it is called 肉桂属. In Polish, the term used is cynamonowiec, and in Tamil, it is known as தாளிசபத்திரி. Additionally, in Frisian, it is called Kaneelen.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| szl | Skůrzica | Wikidata |
| zh | 肉桂属 | Wikidata |
| pl | cynamonowiec | Wikidata |
| ta | தாளிசபத்திரி | Wikidata |
| frr | Kaneelen | Wikidata |
| ms | Kayu manis | Wikidata |
| ja | ニッケイ属 | Wikidata |
| vi | chi Quế | Wikidata |
| my | နလင်ကျော် | Wikidata |
| hsb | Kafrowc | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several key tropical regions. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is noted around the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Moving to East Tropical Africa, it can be found within the borders of Tanzania. The species also extends into South Tropical Africa, specifically documented in Angola. Finally, its reach includes the Western Indian Ocean, where it inhabits both 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 South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as cinnamon, is primarily valued for its medicinal and culinary properties derived from the cortex. The bark, or cortex, is harvested from the inner layer of the stems and branches, where it is carefully peeled and dried to form the characteristic rolled quills used in various treatments. This specific part of the plant contains high concentrations of essential oils and bioactive compounds that contribute to its warming and antimicrobial effects.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cortex | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cinnamomum has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include acetate, actinodaphnine, alcohol, aldehydes, anthraquinones.
- Total chemicals
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| acetate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| actinodaphnine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alcohol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aldehydes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthraquinones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| camphene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| carboxylic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cinnamic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coumarins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eugenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cinnamomum has 19 reported activities identified across 27 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antitumor.
- Total activities
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 27
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cinnamomum has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Parkinson's disease, antidepressant, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes complications.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Parkinson's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| blood pressure | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cholesterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes complications | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypoglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infectious diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neurodegenerative diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |