Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Common Name: Cinnamon
Nepali Name: Dalchini
Sanskrit Name: Thwak
Description:
It is an evergreen aromatic tree of 20 to 60 feet in height.
In new plant, the bark is smooth, 5 mm thick, grayish and
aromatic. Where as in old plant, it is rough. Leaves are
bitter, shiny, having strong odour and 4-7 inch in length.
Fruits are oval and less than 1 inch long. January and May
are the flowering and fruiting time respectively.
Part used: bark, oil and leaf.
Phytochemical properties:
The bark contains a significant amount of a mucilaginous
substance, which consists mainly of water extractable L-arabino-D-xylan
and an alkali-extractable D-glucan. The bark also contains
the diterpenes, cinnzeylanin, cinnamaldihyde, eugenol and
cinnzeylanol besides tannin.
Medicinal properties:
This herb is used for acute symptoms, as this herb is a
stimulant to other herbs and the body, enabling herbal remedies
to work faster. It is alterative, analgesic, antibacterial,
antifungal, antiseptic, anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic, aromatic,
astringent, carminative, demulcent, diaphoretic, digestive,
diuretic, expectorant, germicide, hemostatic, stimulant,
stomachic. These chareateristics help in neuralgia, rheumatism,
diarrhea, dysentery, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, liver
problems, Gas, menorrhagia, bronchitis, colds, hiccup, congestion,
edema, flu, toothache and backaches.
Its oil is used T.B. ulcers.
Dosage:
Leaf powder: 1-3gm
Bark powder: 1-3 gm
Oil: 2-3 drops.
Infusion and decoction of this plant are also used.
Ayurvedic Preparation:
Sitopaladi Churna.
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