Chinese Cinnamon Bark

Chinese cinnamon bark is a useful bark of the medium-sized evergreen tree that is native to China and Vietnam.  There are basically many species of cinnamon tree which is now widely cultivated particularly in the southwestern part of China, Cambodia, India, Japan, Java, Sri Lanka Sumatra, and Vietnam.   Many herbalists believed that the Chinese cinnamon bark has great potential for treating several forms of disorders and discomforts.  Thus, the Chinese cinnamon bark is applied in Chinese, Indian, and Western traditional medicine. 

The Chinese cinnamon bark is traditionally used as a spice, so it is known as a popular flavoring in many cuisines, and it is then noted for its delicious aroma.  Its name actually derives from the Greek word “kassia” which means “strip off the bark”.

There are basically a number of medicinal uses of the Chinese cinnamon bark.  The first mentioned medicinal uses were first recorded in the Chinese formularies as early as 2700 B.C.  Generally, Chinese cinnamon bark is applied as a healing aid for gas and stomach upset, rheumatism, diarrhea, abdominal pain, as well as some kidney ailments. 

In addition, there is what they call as cinnamon “drops” which largely consists of the necessary cinnamon oils and cassia that are also widely applied for many of similar purposes.  Since the Chinese cinnamon has an antiseptic quality, the Chinese cinnamon bark and the necessary oils that it contains are also useful for some topical products like the lotions, soaps, and liniments, including toothpaste and mouthwash.

The recent therapeutic applications of the Chinese cinnamon bark are usually founded in its conventional use as a traditional medicine and on some animal and clinical trials.  Although there are some animal or test-tube clinical trials that do not ensure the safety and effectiveness of the Chinese cinnamon bark to humans, many German health authorities still agreed on the application of the Chinese cinnamon bark and cassia for those mild gastrointestinal tremors and also for rousing the appetite. 

The various application of the Chinese cinnamon bark does not only end there.  Chinese cinnamon bark is always combined with the several ingredients in a number of herbal formulations.  In fact, only few have supported the claim that Chinese cinnamon bark can be used solely as a remedy; however, it has been examined in some clinical trials for its potential to treat a variety of diseases.

The only findings that come out after several clinical trials on the potential of the Chinese cinnamon bark for medicinal applications were conducted are the claims that the herb really aid proper digestion.  Since it contains useful compounds known as catechins, which help relieve nausea, the herb’s oil found in the bark aids the body to process food by breaking down the fats during digestion.  In relation, the herb’s bark also has the potential for relieving bloating as well as flatulence for the fact that the Chinese cinnamon bark functions as a carminative or gas reliever.  As such, there is a great possibility that it may relieve mild abdominal discomfort that is mainly caused by excess gas.

For its various uses and functions, the Chinese cinnamon bark is now commercially available in the form of tea placed in tea bags at many health food outlets especially to those stores where it is always sold as a digestive aid.