You probably have some cinnamon powder or sticks in your kitchen cupboard. It's a warming, stimulating, pleasant-tasting herb with many uses.

Cinnamon is widely used as a flavoring agent for candy, toothpaste, mouthwashes, and bath and body products. In herbal teas, cinnamon improves the flavor of less palatable herbs. And, of course, it is a staple for baking and cooking.

But cinnamon has strong herbal remedy uses as well. In addition to having a germicidal effect, cinnamon helps improve circulation and relieve discomfort or issues in the abdomen. Cinnamon is more than just an everyday spice!

Uses of Cinnamon

Perhaps you use cinnamon more in the winter. Spiced cider, prepared by steeping cinnamon sticks and other herbs in apple cider, is a traditional winter beverage. Cinnamon has an affinity for the uterus and digestive organs because it improves circulation and energy flow in the abdomen. In Chinese medical philosophy, pain, cramps, and congestion are considered blocked energy. Cinnamon is thought to move qi, or vital energy, when qi is "stuck" in the abdomen. Cinnamon circulates the energy to the rest of the body and is thought to have a warming effect.

Cinnamon has a germicidal effect. Almost all highly aromatic herbs display some ability to reduce fungal infections and bacteria levels, and cinnamon in mouthwashes and gargles can help treat just these types of infections in the mouth.

You may use small amounts of cinnamon tea to relieve gas in the stomach. Larger amounts of cinnamon will stimulate and warm the stomach, promoting acidity and a laxative effect. Use of cinnamon as a laxative may prevent flatulence and intestinal cramping that can accompany the use of some other laxatives.

Preparations and Warnings for Cinnamon

Like all herbs, there are some precautions you should take before using cinnamon medicinally.

Cinnamon Preparations and Dosage

Dried bark and twigs are ground into fine powder or cut into small chunks for decoctions and drunk as a tea. Some herbal cinnamon recipes are below.

Tincture: Take 1/4 to 1 teaspoon at a time, usually combined with other herbs. Use the higher doses for a menstrual period that is much heavier than usual.

Essential oil: The volatile oil from cinnamon is distilled and used as a flavoring and aromatic agent. Use a single drop of cinnamon essential oil diluted in a sip of water as a mouth rinse to freshen your breath and for mouth and gum infections. Use eight to ten drops of cinnamon essential oil in a 2-ounce tincture bottle for flavor or medicinal effects. Keep essential oils out of your eyes.

Spiced Cider: You will need the following items.

5 cinnamon sticks
3 star anise
5 whole allspice kernels
5 whole cloves
1 tsp nutmeg
1 gallon apple cider
1 or 2 oranges

Blend cinnamon, star anise, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and apple cider in a large pot. Use a zester or grater to remove the rind of the oranges, and add to the cider mix. (You also can cut the rind, taking care to remove any pith, and grind it in a blender with a bit of the cider; then add it to the pot.) Add the juice of the oranges to the cider. Heat to just below simmer for several hours. Ladle into mugs and serve with a cinnamon stick.

Cinnamon Precautions and Warnings

Avoid this herb if you have a high fever, are red and sweating, or have irritable bowel syndrome. If you have multiple allergies or sensitivities, use cinnamon cautiously. If you're pregnant, you may use cinnamon in baking, but avoid more than a cup of cinnamon tea each day.

Side Effects of Cinnamon

Some people may experience a warming sensation or sweating, and some may experience headaches, nausea, or diarrhea after ingesting two or more cupfuls of a strong cinnamon tea or spiced cider. People with irritable bowel conditions and allergies may react to this herb.

If you have a fever or diarrhea caused by irritation or stimulation in the intestines, such as with stomach flu, food poisoning, irritable bowel, or colitis, cinnamon may worsen the condition. (Most sudden onset, acute episodes of diarrhea are due to inflammation, irritation, or infection, and a strong dose of cinnamon could further stimulate the bowels.) If you have a severe irritable bowel, a bowl of cinnamon-flavored cereal could have a laxative effect.