* 2 min read
In this article:
1. Cinnamon
2. Health Benefits
3. Cautions
4. Side Effects
5. Drug Interactions
6. General Guideline for Daily Dosing
2. Health Benefits
3. Cautions
4. Side Effects
5. Drug Interactions
6. General Guideline for Daily Dosing
1.0 Cinnamon
Cinnamon has been used for many centuries as a spice and as
a medicine. Cinnamon is actually the brown bark of the cinnamon tree. There are
two varieties of cinnamon tree:
Ceylon cinnamon does not contain measurable amounts of coumarin;
Cassia cinnamon does contain levels of coumarin that can harm your dog and cat.
- Ceylon Cinnamon Tree - the bark is used to make Ceylon Cinnamon;
- Chinese Cinnamon Tree - the bark is used to make Cassia Cinnamon.
Which Type of Cinnamon is Safe for Your Dog and Cat?
Ceylon cinnamon does not contain measurable amounts of coumarin;
Cassia cinnamon does contain levels of coumarin that can harm your dog and cat.
- Coumarin is a naturally occurring organic chemical compound that is present in many plants.
- However some plants contain a much higher level of coumarin. For example: cassia cinnamon, sweet clover, sweet grass and sweet woodruff.
- Coumarin has a bitter taste, which helps protect the plant from its natural predators.
- Coumarin gives Cassia cinnamon its bitter taste.
- Ceylon cinnamon has a sweeter taste as it does not contain traceable amount of coumarin
- Coumarin can cause harm to kidney and liver health if consumed in a large amount (relative to the individual's tolerance levels), or large amounts on a daily basis.
- Coumarin ingested with the naturally occuring mold aflatoxin, can cause liver damage and bleeding disorders.
Medicinal Properties in Cinnamon
The healing properties of cinnamon come
primarily from three essential oils (listed below), and from a number of
volatile substances. The essential oils are:
- Cinnamaldehyde
- Cinnamyl acetate
- Cinnamyl alcohol
Cinnamon Can be used in Various Forms
- Dry powder
- Dry tubular form (also known as quills)
- Oil
- Tea - infusion
- Tincture - use alcohol-free only
- Supplement - capsule or pill
2.0 Health Benefits of Ceylon Cinnamon
Health Benefits of Ceylon Cinnamon include:
- Anti-Clotting
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-Microbial
- Cinnamon is known to stop the growth of:
- Bad bacteria
- Fungi
- Yeast - candida
- Cinnamon has been shown to mitigate, and help stop yeast Candida resistant to the drug, fluconazole
- Atherosclerosis and heart disease prevention. see 'Cholesterol' below
- Appetite stimulant
- Blood Sugar Control
- Adding cinnamon to high carbohydrate food lowers gastric emptying rate, and significantly lessens rise in blood sugar levels
- Cinnamon improves the body's ability to respond to insulin, thereby lowering blood sugar levels.
- Brain Activity Enhancer
- The scent of cinnamon produces positive effects on brain function, and can improve working memory
- Cancer fighting
- Cinnamon is an excellent source of colon health supporting:
- Calcium
- Fiber
- Manganese
- Calcium and fiber bind to bile salts thereby helping the body's elimination processes
- Some bile salts can cause damage to the colon cells. The calcium and fiber in cinnamon bind to bile salts which helps protect the body from colon cancer
- Carminative
- Cholesterol (bad cholesterol) lowering
- Dental Health aid
- Digestive Health aid
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- The fiber in cinnamon can help treat constipation and diarrhea
- Food Preservative
- Cinnamon's antimicrobial properties make it an excellent food preservative
- Food grade Cinnamon essential oil can be added to refrigerated food to inhibit food borne pathogenic Bacillus cerus
- For every 100ml /3oz of food add several drops of the oil
- Cinnamon does not contain measurable amounts of oxalate or purines. Dogs and cats with kidney and bladder stones can have cinnamon in their diet
3.0 Cautions
If your dog or
cat:
- Is pregnant or lactating, do not use cinnamon oil. Ceylon cinnamon powder is generally safe in small daily amounts.
- Type 2 Diabetes, cinnamon may lower blood sugar levels. Diabetic medicines may require adjustment.
4.0 Side Effects
- None, unless hypersensitive to Ceylon cinnamon.
Cinnamon oil by mouth - for some individuals, may cause:
- Irritation of skin and mucous membranes in the:
- Intestine
- Stomach
- Urinary Tract
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting
5.0 Drug Interactions
- Anti-diabetes drugs
6.0 General Guideline
Daily Dosage Based on Dog’s or Cat’s Body Weight
Click on the chart below to zoom-in:
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i just need a clarification on the dosage you indicate for the dry powder my dog is 60 lbs so is it 1 tsp or 2 tsp and is it once daily or twice and is it divided example : is it 1tsp divides into 2 doses or 1 tsp once or twice a day.
ReplyDeleteThank you ever so much and I must congratulate you on you very informative and thorough blog I love it :) and my digs do as well :)
Hi Denyse - you can split the daily dosage of one tsp between tow meals - so each meal you sprinkle 1/2 tsp on top of the food. Cheers, Karen
DeleteHi just want to know if organic is better for the bottles don't say what kind of cinnamon is used and the closest I've seen is organic. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteNo - if it's not specified don't buy it. Go-online and check with the manufacturer or product supplier.
DeleteThank you for you site. I am researching and picked up some cinnamon. It's label is: Made with Organic Herb - True cinnamon - non GMO. On back of bottle (capsules) its says: Organic Cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum verum). Is this Ceylon Cinnamon? Or is this NOT the right kind? Thank you for your response!
ReplyDeleteYes it is the right type
DeleteThank you soooo much for your quick response. I can now give the cinnamon. If it's ok, can I ask you about a dog spray? Ingredients are: purified water, organic grapefruit extract grape seed extract, propolis extract and stevia last ingredient. The gel has natural xanthan gum in it. Thank you for your time and effort you put in to helping people make the right decisions for their babies (doggies)
Deleteno to xanthan gum - allergen, toxic, carcinagonic
DeleteThank you so much Karen. I will use just the spray then and NOT the gel...TY TY TY.....I also will be looking to make some homemade doggie treats that you have on here too.....Thank you for being so caring about our life companions.
DeleteHi Karen, Great information. Have you heard if it helps with urinary tract issues in small dogs? And since my father told me about the use of Cinnamon, the research seems to a combination of Cinnamon and Honey for humans. Is there any research for this combo for dogs? And is raw organic honey ok for dogs if one is to combine the two or would it be better to just use the cinnamon alone?
DeleteRead my articles on honey, on cinnamon and on UTIs
DeleteThanks, Karen--Very interesting information. Can I give my dog cinnamon even though she's currently on insulin twice a day for diabetes?
DeleteMany thanks, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne - yes you can use cinnamon, she won;t be consuming large enough amounts to cause any interactions with insulin :>)
DeleteI picked up Ceylon Cinnamon capsules 500mg for my dog with yeast/ fungal problems. She weighs approx 45lbs do you think 1 x capsule/ day is a safe dose? Thank you
DeleteI thoroughly enjoy your website! Thank you for all your information and quick replies.
ReplyDeleteDoes cinnamon given to dogs deter mosquitos? I read somewhere that the mosquitos don't like the smell and therefore avoid the animal.
ReplyDeleteNo, cinnamon powder will not deter mosquitoes. Use one of the solutions provided here http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2013/05/diy-natural-herbal-homeopathic-flea_18.html
Delete