Cinnamon

(Cinnamon)
Sanskrit: दारुसिता • Botanical: Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume

Dalchini (Ceylon Cinnamon) is the inner bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum. It is one of the finest spice barks, thin and delicate compared to cassia. The bark is aromatic with a pleasant sweet-spicy flavor. It is widely used in Ayurveda as a digestive, carminative, and flavoring agent. It has significant antimicrobial properties. The essential oil contains cinnamaldehyde as the principal component. It pacifies Vata and Kapha and is used in cough, cold, digestive disorders, and oral care. It also has aphrodisiac properties. Dalchini is used internally in typhoid and externally for skin conditions.

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Pungent (Katu), Sweet (Madhura), Bitter (Tikta)
Quality (Guna)
Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha), Sharp (Tikshna)
Potency (Virya)
Hot (Ushna)
Post-digestive (Vipaka)
Pungent (Katu)
Key Constituents
Cinnamaldehyde (0.5-1%), Eugenol (10%), Methyl-n-amyl ketone, p-cymene, l-phellandrene, l-alpha-pinene, l-linalool, Caryophylline, Nonyl aldehyde, Cuminic aldehyde, Esters of butyric acid
Also Known As
English: Cinnamon, Ceylon Cinnamon, Cinnamon Bark
Sanskrit: दारुसिता, त्वक्, उत्कट, दालचीनी
Hindi: दालचीनी

What is Cinnamon (Dalchini / दालचीनी)?

Dalchini (Ceylon Cinnamon) is the inner bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum. It is one of the finest spice barks, thin and delicate compared to cassia. The bark is aromatic with a pleasant sweet-spicy flavor. It is widely used in Ayurveda as a digestive, carminative, and flavoring agent. It has significant antimicrobial properties. The essential oil contains cinnamaldehyde as the principal component. It pacifies Vata and Kapha and is used in cough, cold, digestive disorders, and oral care. It also has aphrodisiac properties. Dalchini is used internally in typhoid and externally for skin conditions.

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 2

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

  • Dipana (appetizer)
  • Pachana (digestive)
  • Hridya (cardiotonic)
  • Vatahara (pacifies Vata)
  • Kaphahara (pacifies Kapha)
  • Shoolahara (relieves abdominal pain)
  • Vrishya (aphrodisiac)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 2

Cinnamon by Condition

Explore how Cinnamon is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.

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Cinnamon for Male Sexual Health

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.