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What Is Cinnamon and Where Does It Come From?

Cinnamon comes from the inner bark (the layer beneath the hard outer bark) of Cinnamomum trees and is used as a spice.
Two dominant species are:
  • Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) – native to Sri Lanka
  • Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) – widely grown in Southeast Asia, including China and Indonesia.
In Bangladesh, both types of cinnamon are available in raw, powdered, and oil forms at local markets and online stores. People worldwide use cinnamon for cooking and traditional Ayurvedic and Unani medicine.

What Are the Types of Cinnamon Sold in Bangladesh?

Type
Botanical Name
Origin
Flavor Profile
Coumarin Level
Ceylon
C. verum
 Sri Lanka Mild, sweet Low
Cassia
C. cassia
 China, Indonesia Strong, spicy High
Saigon
C. loureiroi
 Vietnam Intense, aromatic High
Korintje
C. burmannii
 Indonesia Smooth, sweet-spicy Moderate
Ceylon cinnamon is marketed as “true cinnamon.” It is richer in antioxidants (compounds that help prevent cell damage) and safer for long-term use because of its low coumarin content (coumarin is a naturally occurring chemical that can be harmful to the liver in high amounts).

Where Can You Buy Cinnamon in Bangladesh?

Cinnamon is available in retail stores, spice bazaars, e-commerce platforms, and herbal outlets.
Popular sources:
  • Local spice markets in Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet
  • Online platforms: Daraz, Chaldal, Ajkerdeal
  • Herbal shops selling organic Ceylon cinnamon sticks and powder
Availability:
  • Stick form (50g, 100g, 500g)
  • Powdered cinnamon (organic/non-organic)
  • Cinnamon essential oil (10ml, 30ml)
Price Range: ৳80 – ৳650 per 100 grams, depending on origin and type

What Are the Health Benefits of Cinnamon?

Cinnamon contains over 80 active compounds (substances that produce an effect in the body).
The most studied include:
  • Cinnamaldehyde – antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory (Mousavi et al., 2020)
  • Polyphenols – antioxidant-rich (Yazdanpanah et al., 2020)
  • Manganese, potassium, and calcium support heart and bone health.

Evidence-based Potential Benefits:

Health Area
Findings
Source
Blood sugar control
 Reduces fasting glucose levels by 10–29% (avg. in studies with type 2 diabetics) Namazi et al., 2019
Cholesterol levels
 May lower LDL and triglycerides Mousavi et al., 2020
Anti-inflammation
 Reduces inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6) Steels et al., 2019
Antibacterial effects
Active against E. coli, Staph, Candida
 Ceylon & Cassia extracts
Cognitive function
 Preliminary research links cinnamon with memory improvement Animal studies (NIH)
More research is needed for consistent clinical recommendations. Most studies are preliminary, small-scale, or based on animals.

Is Cinnamon Safe for Daily Use?

Yes, in culinary amounts.
  • Tolerable daily intake for cassia cinnamon: max 0.1 mg per kg of body weight per day of coumarin (as advised by EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority).
  • Ceylon cinnamon: safer long-term due to low coumarin

Safety Precautions:

  • Avoid high doses (>6g/day) without medical advice.
  • Pregnancy: small amounts are safe; high doses are not recommended
  • Liver disease: avoid high-coumarin cassia
  • Possible drug interactions with:
    • Diabetes medication
    • Blood thinners
    • Antibiotics
Key side effects: gastrointestinal upset, allergic dermatitis, and mouth ulcers from overuse

How Do People Use Cinnamon in Bangladesh?

Cinnamon is part of daily cuisine and traditional medicine.

Popular Uses:

  • Cooking: Curries, biryanis, korma, chai masala
  • Beverages: Cinnamon water, tea, spiced milk
  • Herbal remedies: Treats indigestion, common cold, and weight loss
  • Beauty uses: Cinnamon oil in DIY face masks and lip plumpers.
  • Home remedies: Used with honey or ginger for cough and colds

How to Identify Authentic Ceylon Cinnamon?

Feature
Ceylon Cinnamon
Cassia Cinnamon
Bark Texture Thin, fragile, multi-layered Thick, hard, single layer
Color Tan or light brown Dark reddish-brown
Taste Mild, sweet Sharp, pungent
Price Higher Lower
Coumarin Content 0.0004% Up to 5%
Ceylon cinnamon is typically imported and labeled as “true cinnamon” or “Cinnamomum verum.”
Tip: Break a stick. If it splinters like wood, it’s cassia. If it curls like a cigar, it’s Ceylon.

Nutritional Profile of Ground Cinnamon (per 1 tsp)

Nutrient
Amount
Calories 6 kcal
Fiber 1.1 g
Calcium 26 mg
Potassium 11 mg
Iron 0.2 mg
Carbs 2.1 g
Fat 0.03 g
Protein 0.1 g

Can Cinnamon Help With Weight Loss?

Cinnamon may help manage weight by regulating blood sugar and improving insulin sensitivity.
Ceylon cinnamon in tea or water form is popular for metabolic support.
A 2020 meta-analysis (Yazdanpanah et al.) found that 2–6g daily supplementation reduced BMI and waist circumference in overweight adults.

Cinnamon in Traditional Bangladeshi Medicine

Cinnamon is used in Unani, Ayurvedic, and folk healing practices for:
  • Increasing appetite
  • Aiding digestion
  • Controlling diarrhea and nausea
  • Reducing menstrual pain
  • Balancing blood sugar levels
These uses are anecdotal but widely accepted in both rural and urban health culture.

How to Store Cinnamon in Bangladesh’s Climate?

To prevent mold or moisture damage:
  • Store in an airtight glass jar
  • Keep in a cool, dry cabinet.
  • Avoid direct sunlight or humid areas.
Shelf life:
  • Whole cinnamon sticks: up to 2 years
  • Ground cinnamon: up to 6 months (after that, aroma fades)
  • Best practice: buy in small batches and use within a few months.

Trusted Research & Sources

PubMed access: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
 ODS Cinnamon Fact Sheet: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets
 NCCIH Cinnamon Profile: https://nccih.nih.gov/