Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Other names: Tvak, Dalchini, Daruchini Karuva, Vazhana, Tamalapatra
Family: Lauraceae

Description
Cinnamon is now largely cultivated. The tree grows from 20 to 30 feet high, has thick scabrous bark, strong branches, young shoots speckled greeny orange, the leaves petiolate, entire, leathery when mature, upper side shiny green, underside lighter; flowers small white in panicles; fruit, an oval berry like an acorn in its receptacle, bluish when ripe with white spots on it, bigger than a blackberry; the root-bark smells like cinnamon and tastes like camphor, which it yields on distillation. Leaves, when bruised, smell spicy and have a hot taste; the berry tastes not unlike Juniper and has a terebine smell; when ripe, bruised and boiled it gives off an oily matter which when cool solidifies and is called cinnamon suet. The commercial Cinnamon bark is the dried inner bark of the shoots.
Cinnamon has a fragrant perfume, taste aromatic and sweet; when distilled it only gives a very small quantity of oil, with a delicious flavour.

Parts used
Bark.

Usage
Antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic, aromatic,  digestive, diuretic, expectorant, germicide, haemostatic, stimulant, stomachic.
Add cinnamon to remedies for acute symptoms, as this herb is a stimulant to other herbs and the body, enabling herbal remedies to work faster. It is also a blood purifier, an infection preventer, and a digestive aid.

Decoction: Boil 10 grams of the bark in a litre of water (can be drunk by women during their period and by those who have digestive problems or need something tonic). We can also add a tea bag and steep for one to three minutes. Sweeten to taste, if desired.

External use: Powder can be used externally in wounds. Tincture and oil can be used to treat rheumatisms my massaging the suffering area. It assists in cases of scabies, dermatitis and wasp and snake bites.

Contraindications/Side Effects: Cinnamon use as a drug is contraindicated during pregnancy and also in cases of stomach or duodenal ulcer. Cinnamon is also contraindicated in cases of allergy to cinnamon or Peru balsam.
Topical applications of cinnamon tea or infusions for their antimicrobial effects can cause allergic reactions and irritation of the skin and mucous membranes.

* The information here should not be considered medical advice, and you should always consult a physician before beginning any herbal therapy.