Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices in the world. It is already mentioned in the Bible. Officially available are the peeled drug(Cinnamomi ceylanici cortex and Cinnamomi cassiae cortex - the Ceylanic and Chinese cinnamon bark, respectively), the cinnamon oil (Cinnamomi zeylanici corticis aetheroleum) from the leaves and bark, respectively, and cinnamon powder.

Cinnamon oil, cinnamaldehyde and cinnamalcohol are used as a spice for desserts, baked goods and confectionery, canned fruit, in liqueur production, in cola beverages, in perfume and cosmetics production and toiletries, and in preparative organic chemistry. In medicine as a stomatal to stimulate appetite, usually in combination with other substances. The list of substances lists more than 50 preparations.

Phytotherapeutic use is the bark (cinnamon bark - Cinnamomi cortex), after it is freed from the cork and the underlying layers, and the essential oil (cinnamon oil - Cinnamomi zeylanici corticis aetheroleum).

The Ceylon cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum verum) is native to Sri Lanka, South-West India. Cultivated in Ceylon and other tropical areas (South India, Jamaica, Antilles, South America) in so-called cinnamon gardens.

Cinnamomum verum is the parent plant of Cinnamomi ceylanici cortex of the officinal ceylon cinnamon bark.

The Chinese cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum aromaticum or Cinnamomum cassia) is native to southern China, but is also cultivated in Central and South America.

Cinnamomum aromaticum is the parent plant of Cinnamomi cassiae cortex of the officinal Chinese cinnamon bark.

Apart from the main allergen cinnamic aldehyde, thymol, eugenol and linalool are other sensitizers which are less important. Sensitizing potency: Medium strong. Frequency of sensitization: Frequent.

Cinnamon cassava and the cassia oil extracted from it have also appeared as a cause of allergic contact dermatitis.

Cross-reactions are observed above all in Peru balsam allergy sufferers, but are also to be expected on cinnamon alcohol and occasionally on wood tars.

If a second compound is present in the mixture or solution in addition to the allergen, the so-called quenching effect may occur. In this case the allergenic effect of the sensitizer (e.g. cinnamic aldehyde, citral) is cancelled or reduced by the second substance (e.g. eugenol, limonene).

Salviathymol® drops

1. Hausen BM, Vieluf K (1997) Allergy plants, plant allergens. Ecomed Verlag Landsberg/Munich 97-99
2. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/cinnamon.php.
3. Wenigmann M.(2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs phytopharmaceuticals application. Urban & Fischer: 5.123 Wolfstrappkraut (Lycopi herba) pp 218-219.