# Indonesian Cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/indonesian-cinnamon
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-29
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Spice
**Also Known As:** Cinnamomum burmannii, Cassia cinnamon, Korintje cinnamon, Padang cassia, Indonesian cassia, Batavia cinnamon, Java cinnamon, Kayu manis, Cassia bark

## Overview

Indonesian cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii) is a Southeast Asian spice whose primary bioactive compound, cinnamaldehyde, drives its [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) and anti-inflammatory properties. Its methanolic extracts inhibit nitric oxide production in macrophage cells, while 2-hydroxy-cinnamaldehyde suppresses lipoxygenase-mediated [inflammatory pathway](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s.

## Health Benefits

• [Antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant): Methanolic extracts inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide release in RAW264.7 macrophage cells (in vitro evidence only)
• [Anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) potential: 2-hydroxy-cinnamaldehyde showed soybean lipoxygenase inhibition with IC50=60 μM (in vitro evidence only)
• [Antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) properties: Essential oils rich in cinnamaldehyde and eugenol demonstrate antimicrobial activity (traditional use, no clinical trials)
• Traditional antidiabetic use: Documented in Indonesian folk medicine (no clinical evidence available)
• Analgesic properties: Referenced in traditional medicine systems (no human studies conducted)

## Mechanism of Action

Cinnamaldehyde and its derivative 2-hydroxy-cinnamaldehyde inhibit soybean lipoxygenase (IC50=60 μM), an enzyme central to arachidonic acid [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) and leukotriene biosynthesis, reducing pro-[inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) eicosanoid production. Methanolic extracts suppress lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide release in RAW264.7 macrophage cells, likely by downregulating inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Polyphenolic compounds including procyanidins may also scavenge free radicals via hydrogen atom transfer, contributing to observed [antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant).

## Clinical Summary

Available evidence for Cinnamomum burmannii is largely limited to in vitro cell-culture studies, with no large-scale randomized controlled trials specific to this species identified in the literature. Laboratory findings show inhibition of nitric oxide in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and lipoxygenase inhibition at IC50=60 μM for 2-hydroxy-cinnamaldehyde, which are mechanistically promising but cannot be directly extrapolated to human dosing or clinical outcomes. Some human research on cinnamon as a genus (particularly Cinnamomum cassia and Cinnamomum verum) suggests modest [blood glucose](/ingredients/condition/weight-management)-lowering effects, but species-specific data for C. burmannii remain sparse. Overall, the evidence base is preliminary and insufficient to support firm clinical recommendations.

## Nutritional Profile

{"macronutrients": {"carbohydrates": "80.6 g per 100 g", "protein": "4.0 g per 100 g", "fat": "1.2 g per 100 g", "fiber": "53.1 g per 100 g"}, "micronutrients": {"calcium": "1002 mg per 100 g", "iron": "8.32 mg per 100 g", "magnesium": "60 mg per 100 g", "phosphorus": "64 mg per 100 g", "potassium": "431 mg per 100 g", "sodium": "10 mg per 100 g", "zinc": "1.83 mg per 100 g", "vitamin_c": "3.8 mg per 100 g", "vitamin_a": "295 IU per 100 g"}, "bioactive_compounds": {"cinnamaldehyde": "up to 65% of essential oil", "eugenol": "up to 10% of essential oil", "coumarin": "2-5% by weight"}, "bioavailability_notes": "The bioavailability of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol can be influenced by the method of consumption and preparation. Coumarin content should be monitored due to potential hepatotoxicity at high doses."}

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges are available for human use. Laboratory studies used ethanolic bark extracts with total phenolic content of 31-89 mg GAE/100g or essential oils standardized to 50-92.46% cinnamaldehyde, but human doses have not been established. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Indonesian cinnamon consumed as a culinary spice is generally recognized as safe, but concentrated extracts or supplements carry a risk of hepatotoxicity due to relatively high coumarin content compared to Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum). Individuals taking anticoagulant medications such as warfarin should exercise caution, as cinnamaldehyde may have mild platelet-inhibiting and anticoagulant-potentiating effects. People with diabetes on insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents should monitor [blood glucose](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) closely, as additive glucose-lowering effects are plausible. Safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been established for supplemental doses; culinary amounts are generally considered acceptable.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses specific to Cinnamomum burmannii have been conducted according to available sources. All evidence is limited to in vitro studies using macrophage cell lines and enzyme inhibition assays, with no PMIDs available for human studies.

## Historical & Cultural Context

C. burmannii has been used in Indonesian traditional medicine for [antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support), [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant), antidiabetic, [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation), and analgesic purposes. Historical use spans traditional systems throughout Indonesia and Southeast Asia, though exact timelines are not specified beyond ongoing folk practices.

## Synergistic Combinations

Ceylon Cinnamon, Turmeric, Ginger, Green Tea Extract, Quercetin

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between Indonesian cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon?

Indonesian cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii) contains significantly higher levels of coumarin—a compound potentially hepatotoxic in large doses—compared to Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), which has negligible coumarin. C. burmannii also has a bolder, more pungent flavor due to higher cinnamaldehyde concentrations, and it is the most commonly sold 'cinnamon' in the United States by volume.

### Does Indonesian cinnamon help lower blood sugar?

No large randomized controlled trials specific to Cinnamomum burmannii and blood glucose have been published. Genus-level cinnamon research suggests modest fasting blood glucose reductions (roughly 10–29 mg/dL in some studies), and cinnamaldehyde may improve insulin receptor sensitivity, but these findings have not been confirmed specifically for C. burmannii in human trials.

### What are the main active compounds in Indonesian cinnamon?

The primary bioactive compounds include cinnamaldehyde (responsible for characteristic flavor and anti-inflammatory effects), 2-hydroxy-cinnamaldehyde (lipoxygenase inhibitor with IC50=60 μM), procyanidin polyphenols (antioxidant activity), and coumarin (present at higher levels than in Ceylon cinnamon and associated with potential liver toxicity at high doses).

### Is Indonesian cinnamon safe to take as a supplement daily?

Daily supplemental use of Cinnamomum burmannii extract raises concern due to its elevated coumarin content; the European Food Safety Authority established a tolerable daily intake of 0.1 mg/kg body weight for coumarin, which can be exceeded with concentrated C. burmannii supplements. Culinary spice quantities (under 1–2 g/day) are generally considered safe for most adults. Individuals with liver conditions or those taking blood thinners should consult a healthcare provider before supplementing.

### Does Indonesian cinnamon have anti-inflammatory properties?

In vitro studies show that 2-hydroxy-cinnamaldehyde inhibits soybean lipoxygenase at an IC50 of 60 μM, and methanolic extracts reduce LPS-induced nitric oxide release in RAW264.7 macrophage cells, indicating mechanistic anti-inflammatory potential. However, these are cell-culture findings only, and no human clinical trials have confirmed meaningful anti-inflammatory effects from C. burmannii supplementation at tolerable doses.

### What is the difference between Indonesian cinnamon essential oil and cinnamon powder supplements?

Indonesian cinnamon essential oil is a concentrated extract rich in cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, demonstrating stronger antimicrobial activity in laboratory studies compared to whole powder. However, essential oils are more potent and carry higher coumarin concentrations, requiring careful dosing, while powder forms provide a milder, more easily dosed option for daily supplementation. The bioavailability and absorption rates differ between forms, with essential oils having faster absorption but potentially greater systemic exposure.

### Does Indonesian cinnamon interact with blood-thinning medications?

Indonesian cinnamon contains coumarin, a natural compound that may have mild anticoagulant effects and could theoretically interact with warfarin or other blood-thinning medications. Anyone taking anticoagulants should consult their healthcare provider before supplementing with Indonesian cinnamon, as cumulative blood-thinning effects are a concern. The risk is generally considered low with normal culinary amounts, but supplemental doses warrant medical oversight.

### What does clinical research actually show about Indonesian cinnamon's health benefits?

Most research on Indonesian cinnamon consists of in vitro (test tube) and animal studies showing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial potential—not human clinical trials. While studies demonstrate that extracts inhibit inflammatory markers and microbial growth in laboratory settings, these results do not directly translate to proven health effects in humans. Robust, randomized controlled trials in human subjects are needed to establish safety and efficacy for specific health claims.

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*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
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