European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

CINNAMON (CINNAMOMUM ZEYLANICUM); A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE CULINARY SPICE WITH ITS POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS.

Fouzia Farooq*, Dr Zaffar Hussain, Mir Idrees Hanief and Zarfah Fida

ABSTRACT

Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume (D rchi n is a small, tropical, evergreen tree belonging to the family Lauraceae. It attains a height of about 10 to 15 meters and a diameter of 50 cms. The bark of this tree is medicinally used, which is dull pale brown in colour, 0.5 mm thick, 7 to 13 mm wide. Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume tree grows in the forests of Ceylon and some southern parts of India. Currently, the accepted scientific name of cinnamon is Cinnamomum verum. Unani physicians have mentioned various actions of Cinnamomun zeylanicum in the classical Unani literature. The actions are Muffatiḥ (De-obstruent), Muqaww -i-kabid (Liver tonic), Muqawwi-i- A„da‟Ra‟isa (Tonic for principal organs like brain, heart and liver), Muḥalli-i-awr m (Anti-inflammatory) etc. The principal constituent of cinnamon bark is the essential oil which contains cinnamaldehyde, Cinnamate, Cinnamic acid, trans-cinnamaldehyde, Cinnamyl acetate, linalool, Caryophyllene oxide, beta-caryophyllene, eucalyptol and eugenol.

Keywords: Cinnamom zeylanicum, Cinnamomum verum, D rchi n Cinnamomum.