Evidence supporting the use of: Cinnamon
For the health condition: Colds (prevention)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Cinnamon has a long history of traditional use in various cultures, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, for the prevention and management of colds. In TCM, cinnamon (often in the form of Cinnamomum cassia or "gui zhi") is believed to "warm" the body and support the immune system, helping to ward off "wind-cold" invasion, a term describing early stages of common cold. Similarly, in Ayurveda, cinnamon is thought to stimulate circulation and promote sweating, which is considered helpful in expelling pathogens and easing cold symptoms.

From a scientific standpoint, cinnamon does contain compounds such as cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, which have demonstrated some antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory studies. However, clinical research specifically evaluating cinnamon’s effectiveness in preventing or treating common colds in humans is sparse and inconclusive. Most available evidence is limited to laboratory or animal studies and does not directly translate to proven benefit in the prevention of colds in people. Thus, while cinnamon’s traditional use is well established and there is some plausible biological rationale, robust clinical validation is lacking.

In summary, cinnamon’s use for preventing or treating colds is primarily justified by tradition, with limited supporting scientific evidence. Individuals interested in using cinnamon for this purpose should do so as part of a broader health regimen and not as a replacement for evidence-based treatments or preventive measures.

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Other ingredients used for Colds (prevention)

allspice
aloe vera
green chiretta
anthocyanins
arabinogalactan
astragalus
waterhyssop
bamboo
basil
berry flavor
beta-pinene
Beta-Glucan
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
black tea
blackberry
bасора
camu camu
capsaicinoids
caterpillar mushroom
chamomile
chlorella
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus oil
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coconut milk
colostrum
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
Indian tinospora
honeysuckle
lactobacillus brevis
lemon
licorice root
lovage
marshmallow
moringa
mustard seed
nettle
spruce
orange
oregano
oregon grape
pear
phenolic acids
pineapple
plantain
pollen
pomegranate
pumpkin
quercetin
reishi mushroom
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin C
vitamin D
seaweed
yeast
zinc
sarsaparilla
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tangerine
xanthium (cockleburs)
papaya
mugwort
nut grass
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
pistacia integerrima gall
blackboard tree
peony
buckthorn
lemongrass
yerba santa
chrysanthemum
siler root
flowering quince
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
goji berry
paw paw
algae
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
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Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Ardisia
acacia
Allicin
Abrus
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Ajuga
Andrographolide
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteracea
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Amor seco
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Atractylone
Black Seed
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Baikal Skullcap
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Bidens pilosa
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Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
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Bitter Grass
Bael
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Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bioflavonoids
black salt
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Black Nightshade
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Borneol
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