CINNAMON SIDE EFFECTS

1. COUMARIN

All Cassia type Cinnamon have high levels of Coumarin levels. High levels of Coumarin can damage you liver.

Ceylon Cinnamon is the only variety that has ultra low Coumarin levels. Obviously if have Cinnamon as part of an occasional dish that has Cinnamon in it like eating a Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll this is not an issue. The dangers comes is only applicable people who take Cinnamon on a daily basis. Increasingly many people who are eating Cinnamon for health reasons. If you such a person, then switch to Ceylon Cinnamon which is milder, just as effective, perhaps even more so.

One variety of Cassia Cinnamon, Saigon Cinnamon which comes from Vietnam has particularly high levels of Coumarin. Saigon Cinnamon is lovely with a strong aroma and a spicy sweet taste. And if you have been captivated by Saigon Cinnamon and have been eating bit to much, time to reconsider.

2. ALLERGIES

While most people may not be allergic to Cinnamon, it can cause reactions in some people. The most common allergic reactions are shortness of breath, dizziness or light headed ness (causes by Cinnamon's ability to lower blood sugar levels), upset stomach (by taking too much Cinnamon), runny nose, soreness of the eyes, upset stomach, facial or hand swelling, anaphylactic shock (unusual heartbeat, dizziness, confusion, drop in blood pressure and nausea. 

Allergic reactions can happen even if you have taken previously with no ill effects. Young children can be particularly suspectable to allergic reactions. Infants and toddlers should not be given Cinnamon as a precaution. But most of the allergic reactions are not life threatening. Click here to read this WebMD article on the side effects of Cassia Cinnamon.

If you get an allergic reaction stop consuming Cinnamon immediately. Sometimes a baby can get a reaction if the mother had some Cinnamon during breast feeding. Cinnamon is also in many packaged products although the ingredients are not directly listed. If you are doing an allergy test tell the Doctor what type of Cinnamon you consumed.

3. BLOOD THINNER

Cassia Cinnamon can allegedly thin your blood while Ceylon Cinnamon doe snot have this ability. While thinning blood can be useful for some medical conditions like heart disease, it can be problematic if you taking blood thinning medication at the same time. It is said that Cassia Cinnamon has properties that act like an anti clotting agent.

4. HEART RATE INCREASE

Most times heart rates can increase when you directly breath in Cinnamon essential oil. Undiluted Cinnamon essentials are extremely powerful. Avoid opening the bottle and breathing Cinnamon Oils directly if you have a heart condition. Diluted and used in an aroma diffuser it should still be fine. But there is still a chance your heart rate could increase if you especially sensitive to Cinnamon oils. You can possibly get increased heart rates even after consuming Cinnamon powder or Cinnamon sticks. Saigon Cinnamon for example has high levels of essential oils in them so it is possible you might get an increased rate from Saigon Cinnamon. More so than other types of cinnamon.

5. UNEXPECTED UTERINE CONTRACTIONS

Pregnant women should not take Cinnamon. This is because Cinnamon (especially the oils) can induce premature labor or uterine contractions. While Cinnamon helps with stomach pains, gas of indigestion, you should NOT be taking Cinnamon for these purposes while you are pregnant. Better safe than sorry. An occasional cup of Cinnamon is probably safe but why take a chance? Taking Cinnamon tablets or especially smelling Cinnamon Oil should be avoided at all costs.

7. SKING IRRITATIONS WITH CINNAMON OIL

If you touch Cinnamon oil without diluting it, it will irritate your skin and create a burning sensation. Kind of like chili powder. This is particularly acute if you touch any genitalia after handling pure Cinnamon oil. So it's best to wear gloves or be careful not to spill any on your hands.

8. TOXICITY

As with most things taking Cinnamon over extended periods of time will build a certain level of toxicity in your body. The recommended dosage of Cinnamon according to the US Department of health, is 6 grams daily for 6 weeks or less. At this level of Cinnamon appears to be safe for most people. We recommend you follow these directions with a week of rest from Cinnamon every 6 weeks. This will allow any toxicity to be purged from your system. Or you could try 5 days and 2 days of rest from Cinnamon on the weekends.

9. CONFLICT WITH MEDICATION

Cinnamon can often cause conflict with medication especailly diabetes medication. This is because Ceylon Cinnamon especially the Bark Oil can also dramtically reduce blood sugar levels.

10. BODY HEAT

Cinnamon is spice that increases heat in your body. Both when applied topically and when taken internally. This is especially noticeable if you apply some Cinnamon essential oil to your skin. It will burn your skin. Which is why it must be diluted to 1% when applied topically.

Body heat can increase even if you take Cinnamon powder form or adding a Cinnamon stick to a stew or other food recipes. Taking it occasionally is not going to make much difference. And during winter time some added in Cinnamon in your daily diet is likely to keep your bones during those bone chilling winter days.

Increase body heat can manifest itself in many forms. As body increases your body will try to vent out this excess heat in different forms. The common way is for you to get boils under your tongue, rash, swelling, cracked lips, cracked heels and the like. If you going through Menopause for example avoid Cinnamon as increased body heat and menopause is not a good combination.

If you taking Cinnamon on a daily basis, then balance it out with a cooling food. The Chinese for example always balance warming food with cooling food. Examples of cooling foods are cucumber, yoghurt, apples, celery. Take a look here for example of both cooling and warming food.