Q: What are the Health Canada approved uses for this product?
A: This product is approved by Health Canada (NPN 80142753) for the following uses: traditionally used in Herbal Medicine as a carminative and digestive for digestive disturbances including mild spasms and cramps of the gastrointestinal tract, gastrointestinal colic, feeling of bloating, and flatulence; source of antioxidants; and traditionally used in Ayurveda as a carminative and digestive for minor bowel complaints including indigestion, flatulence, diarrhea, and vomiting. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Q: What is the difference between Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon?
A: This is the most important question to understand when choosing a cinnamon supplement. There are several species sold as cinnamon, and they differ significantly in botanical identity, flavour, coumarin content, and traditional use. Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is the species recognized as true cinnamon in Western Herbal Medicine and Ayurvedic tradition. It is native to Sri Lanka and southern India, has a delicate, mildly sweet flavour, and contains very low levels of coumarin. Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia or Cinnamomum aromaticum) is the species found in most grocery stores, supermarket spice racks, and the majority of cinnamon supplements. It has a stronger, more pungent flavour and contains substantially higher levels of coumarin than Ceylon cinnamon. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has established a tolerable daily intake for coumarin and has noted that regular consumption of Cassia cinnamon at typical supplemental doses may exceed this threshold. For individuals taking cinnamon daily at supplemental doses of 1800mg per day, Ceylon cinnamon's very low coumarin content makes it the appropriate species choice.
Q: What does "branch bark" mean and why is it specified?
A: Branch bark refers to the inner bark of young branches of the Cinnamomum verum tree, which is the traditional part of the plant used in herbal medicine and the part referenced in the Health Canada NPN approval. Ceylon cinnamon is harvested by hand from young branches of the cinnamon tree. The outer bark is scraped away and the thin inner bark is carefully peeled off in long strips, which curl into the characteristic multi-layered quills as they dry. This hand-harvesting process from young branch bark is what produces authentic Ceylon cinnamon quills and is distinct from the bark of older stems or roots. Branch bark is specified on the label because Health Canada NPN approvals require precise identification of the plant part used, ensuring the product matches the traditional use and the evidence reviewed during the approval process.
Q: What is a carminative and how does cinnamon work as one?
A: A carminative is an herb that helps relieve gas and digestive discomfort by reducing intestinal spasm and facilitating the movement and expulsion of gas from the digestive tract. Cinnamon's carminative properties are attributed primarily to its volatile oil components, particularly cinnamaldehyde, which is the primary bioactive compound in Ceylon cinnamon's essential oil and is responsible for its characteristic aroma and flavour. Cinnamaldehyde and other volatile compounds in cinnamon support smooth muscle relaxation in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing spasm and facilitating the movement of gas. This carminative action is the basis for cinnamon's long traditional use in both Western Herbal Medicine and Ayurveda for digestive complaints including bloating, flatulence, and GI spasms.
Q: What is cinnamon's role in Ayurvedic medicine?
A: Cinnamon, known as Tvak or Dalchini in Ayurvedic medicine, is one of the most important spices in the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia with thousands of years of documented use in the Indian subcontinent. In Ayurveda, cinnamon is classified as a warming herb with a heating quality (ushna virya) that stimulates digestive fire (agni), supporting the digestion and assimilation of food. It is used to address conditions associated with impaired digestive function including indigestion, gas, and bowel irregularity. Cinnamon is an ingredient in the classic Ayurvedic digestive formula Trikatu and is used extensively in Ayurvedic digestive preparations. Health Canada has approved the Ayurvedic traditional use of this product (NPN 80142753) for indigestion, flatulence, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Q: What antioxidant compounds are naturally present in Ceylon cinnamon?
A: Ceylon cinnamon is a rich source of naturally occurring antioxidant compounds, with an antioxidant content among the highest of any commonly used spice or herb. Its antioxidant profile includes polyphenols such as proanthocyanidins (condensed tannins), catechins, epicatechins, and hydroxycinnamic acids. Ceylon cinnamon is particularly rich in type-A procyanidins, a class of condensed tannins with significant antioxidant activity. Cinnamaldehyde, the primary volatile compound responsible for cinnamon's aroma and carminative properties, also has antioxidant activity. Together these compounds contribute to Ceylon cinnamon's role as a source of antioxidants alongside its traditional digestive uses.
Q: Why is this cinnamon certified organic and why does it matter?
A: This Ceylon Cinnamon is certified organic, meaning it is grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, and is produced in accordance with certified organic agricultural standards. For a spice taken daily as a supplement at 1800mg per day over extended periods, organic certification provides assurance that the cinnamon is free from synthetic agricultural chemical residues. Organic certification also supports sustainable agricultural practices and soil health in the growing regions of Sri Lanka and southern India where Cinnamomum verum is cultivated.
Q: Why should the capsules be taken after meals?
A: The suggested use of 1 capsule 3 times per day after meals is consistent with the traditional use of cinnamon as a digestive herb in both Western Herbal Medicine and Ayurveda, where it is used to support digestion following meals. Taking cinnamon after meals also helps minimize the possibility of gastrointestinal discomfort that can occur when concentrated herbal extracts are taken on an empty stomach. The after-meal timing aligns with cinnamon's traditional role as a digestive carminative, supporting the digestive process during and after food consumption.
Q: What is the daily dose and how many days does one bottle last?
A: The suggested use is 1 capsule, 3 times per day after meals, providing 1800mg of organic Ceylon Cinnamon daily (3 x 600mg). At this full suggested dose, the 120-capsule bottle provides a 40-day supply. Consult your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate daily dose for your individual needs.
Q: Is this product suitable for vegans and vegetarians?
A: Yes, this Ceylon Cinnamon supplement is 100% vegan and suitable for both vegans and vegetarians. The medicinal ingredient is certified organic Ceylon Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum, branch bark), which is entirely plant-derived. The capsule shell is made from hypromellose (vegetable cellulose), not gelatin. All non-medicinal ingredients (hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose) are plant-derived or mineral-based. The product is also non-GMO and free from gluten, dairy, and soy.
Q: Are there any safety considerations or interactions I should know about?
A: Consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking medications (particularly blood thinners or medications for diabetes), or have a medical condition including liver disease. Although Ceylon cinnamon contains very low levels of coumarin compared to Cassia cinnamon, individuals with liver conditions should consult a healthcare provider before use. Do not use if you have a known allergy to cinnamon or other plants in the Lauraceae family (which includes bay laurel, avocado, and sassafras). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Q: Why is this product Health Canada approved?
A: This product holds NPN 80142753 from Health Canada, meaning it has been reviewed and approved for safety, efficacy, and quality as a natural health product. The NPN designation confirms that the approved uses (traditional Herbal Medicine carminative and digestive, source of antioxidants, traditional Ayurvedic carminative and digestive) are backed by evidence reviewed by Health Canada, and that the product meets Canadian regulatory standards for ingredient quality, dosage, and labelling. The NPN approval also confirms the botanical identity (Cinnamomum verum, branch bark) and the organic certification of the ingredient
