Saigon cinnamon
Scientific names: Cinnamomum loureirii, Cinnamomum loureiroi
Family: Lauraceae
Alternate names: Baker's Cinnamon, Canela de Saigón, Nikkei, Nhucgue, Que Thanh, Saigon Cassia, Saigonkanel, Saigonzimt, Saigonzimtbaum, Vietnamese Cassia, Vietnamese Cinnamon, Yukgyenamu
Actions: Antidiabetic, Anti-inflammatory, Antiviral, Cognitive
Background
Saigon cinnamon is a type of cinnamon made from the bark of trees (Cinnamomum loureirii) that grow in Vietnam. It's used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Saigon cinnamon contains chemicals that might affect blood sugar and also have anti-inflammatory effects. It also contains a chemical called coumarin which might harm the liver.
People use Saigon cinnamon for diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse Saigon cinnamon with cassia cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon, Indian cassia, or Padang cassia. These are not the same.
Saigon cinnamon contains chemicals that might affect blood sugar and also have anti-inflammatory effects. It also contains a chemical called coumarin which might harm the liver.
People use Saigon cinnamon for diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse Saigon cinnamon with cassia cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon, Indian cassia, or Padang cassia. These are not the same.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Saigon cinnamon is commonly consumed in foods. But Saigon cinnamon contains a chemical called coumarin, which has been linked with adverse effects. People should avoid taking Saigon cinnamon in doses that provide more than 0.1 mg/kg of coumarin daily. For a person weighing about 154 lbs, this would be about 1 gram (0.25 tsp) of Saigon cinnamon daily.
Saigon cinnamon is possibly unsafe when consumed in large amounts, long-term. The coumarin in Saigon cinnamon might cause liver injury at doses as low as 50 mg daily, which is found in about 7 grams of Saigon cinnamon. There isn't enough reliable information to know if Saigon cinnamon is safe when used as medicine in smaller amounts.
Liver disease: Saigon cinnamon contains a chemical that might harm the liver. If you have liver disease, do not take Saigon cinnamon in amounts larger than those normally found in food.
Saigon cinnamon is possibly unsafe when consumed in large amounts, long-term. The coumarin in Saigon cinnamon might cause liver injury at doses as low as 50 mg daily, which is found in about 7 grams of Saigon cinnamon. There isn't enough reliable information to know if Saigon cinnamon is safe when used as medicine in smaller amounts.
Special Precautions & Warnings
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Saigon cinnamon is safe to use when pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Liver disease: Saigon cinnamon contains a chemical that might harm the liver. If you have liver disease, do not take Saigon cinnamon in amounts larger than those normally found in food.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using Saigon cinnamon for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of Saigon cinnamon might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Saigon cinnamon might harm the liver. Some medications can also harm the liver. Taking Saigon cinnamon along with a medication that can harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might harm the liver: Saigon cinnamon might harm the liver. Taking it with other supplements that can also harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage. Examples of supplements with this effect include garcinia, greater celandine, green tea extract, kava, and kratom.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 01/05/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 18/09/2022 22:00:29. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
