Cinnamon bark: Is it good for you?

Cinnamon bark: Is it good for you? All you need to know

The evergreen tree cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is perhaps best known for the role it plays in the culinary world. The spice we’re familiar with actually comes from the tree’s inner bark; trees are grown for a minimum of two years before being coppiced (meaning the stems are cut at ground level). The resulting spice, once transformed into a powder, can be added to a wide variety of sweet and savoury dishes and condiments, giving them a distinctive, aromatic flavour.

But although cinnamon is known mainly for its taste and scent, there is more to it than you might think. In fact, cinnamon bark is thought to offer a wide range of health benefits, and has been used in herbal medicine for centuries.

Here’s a brief overview of some of the best-known health benefits of cinnamon bark.

The health benefits

The best-known benefits of cinnamon can be attributed to the unique blend of oils it contains. For many years, the spice has been used to treat a wide variety of ailments and conditions. It’s thought that cinnamon can help lower a person’s blood sugar making it, in effect, a natural ‘version’ of insulin (although it’s not as effective).

These same oils and chemicals are also thought to help reduce spasms and help address digestive problems, including flatulence and a weak appetite.

It’s not only used for its healing potential, however. Cinnamon bark contains tannins, giving it an astringent effect, and is rich in antioxidants.

Where to buy cinnamon bark

Want to take full advantage of the health benefits that cinnamon bark has to offer? We sell it in both powdered and stick forms; take a look at each and get yours online below.

[Cinnamon Sticks] [Cinnamon Bark Powder]