Cinnamomum Zeylanicum - Cinnamon

Review Article

Abstract

Cinnamon is a common spice used by different cultures around the world for centuries. It is obtained from the inner bark of trees belonging to the genus Cinnamomum. It is a tropical evergreen plant. Although there are more than 250 species belonging to the Cinnamomum genus, two main species that are produced and commercially important stand out; Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Cinnamon cassia (also known as Cinnamomum aromaticum/cassia). An important difference between Cinnamon cassia and Cinnamomum zeylanicum is their coumarin (1,2-benzopyrone) content.

Cinnamon has been used as a spice and traditional herbal medicine for centuries. Available in vitro and animal in vivo evidence suggest that cinnamon has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, cardiovascular, cholesterol-lowering, antidiabetic, and immunomodulatory effects.

Plants have been an obligatory source of medicine and medicine for the treatment of different ailments in humans from early history to the present day. Many phytochemicals found in plants act as antioxidants and are used as health preservatives. Cinnamomum zeylanicum, a widely used spice and folk remedy, is an effective treatment for various diseases due to its antioxidant and protective effects.