Lauraceae
Cinnamon Leaf
Cinnamomum zeylanicum
✓ Generally Safe
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia
Also known as: Ceylon Cinnamon Leaf, Cinnamon Leaf
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Leaf
Therapeutic Uses
Dental pain (eugenol — topical), oral infections, respiratory infections, digestive complaints. Leaf different chemistry from bark (eugenol vs cinnamaldehyde).
Herbal Actions
Antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, analgesic (topical eugenol)
Active Constituents
Volatile oil (eugenol 70–80% — primary in leaf, unlike bark which is cinnamaldehyde), eugenol acetate, beta-caryophyllene
Preparation Methods
☕ Herbal Tea⚗️ Essential Oil🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 2 leaves per 250ml, simmer 10 min, 2–3x daily |
| Tincture | 1–2 ml (1:5, 45% ethanol), 2–3x daily |
| Notes | Leaf essential oil: primarily eugenol (dental analgesic). Different from bark essential oil (primarily cinnamaldehyde). Topical dental use: dilute eugenol in olive oil for toothache. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: Eugenol: anticoagulant effects. Avoid high doses in pregnancy. Otherwise safe.
Side Effects: GI irritation (high doses). Anticoagulant effects (eugenol). Skin irritation (undiluted essential oil).