Herbal Support For Epilepsy: CINNAMON
Cinnamon is a widely used spice around the world that contains natural compounds such as cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and cinnamate.
Research suggests it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may help support blood sugar control, heart health, and cholesterol levels. It has also shown potential antimicrobial and anticancer effects in early studies. In addition, some research suggests it may have protective effects on the brain and could be relevant to conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and Epilepsy.
🧠 Cinnamon & Epilepsy: What the Research Shows
➜ A 2024 study found that cinnamic alcohol, a natural compound in cinnamon, delayed seizure onset and improved survival in mice. It also reduced oxidative stress in the brain, lowered markers of cell damage and inflammation, and increased levels of natural antioxidants. Researchers also observed possible activity on GABA-A receptors, which are involved in calming brain activity and are a key target of many anti-seizure medications.
➜ A 2022 study on Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) found that cinnamon extract helped delay both mild and severe seizures in mice. It reduced oxidative stress and inflammation while boosting the brain’s own antioxidant defenses, including enzymes like SOD and catalase.
➜ Another 2021 study on Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) showed even broader effects. In rats with severe, prolonged seizures, cinnamon reduced seizure severity, improved survival, and helped preserve memory and learning ability. It also protected brain cells in the hippocampus, a region heavily affected in epilepsy, while reducing oxidative damage and neuron loss.
🔬 Neuroprotective effect of cinnamic alcohol: A bioactive compound of Cinnamomum spp. essential oil - ScienceDirect
🔬 Hydro-alcoholic extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum on nitric oxide metabolites in brain tissues following seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole in mice - PMC
🔬(PDF) Cinnamon Attenuates Cognitive Dysfunction, Hippocampal Oxidative Stress and Neurodegeneration Following Status Epilepticus in Young Male Rats
🩸Blood Sugar, Epilepsy, and Cinnamon
Blood sugar stability may also play an indirect role in seizure control.
The Low Glyceamic Index Treatment (LGIT), developed in 2012, helps stabilise blood sugar by focusing on slow-digesting carbohydrates. Clinical studies show that over half of patients experience a meaningful reduction in seizure frequency, in some cases comparable to ketogenic diets. Researchers believe that more stable brain energy supply may help reduce seizure risk.
So, if stabilising blood sugar is part of seizure management, then cinnamon could also be crucial in this regard. A 2023 umbrella review of multiple meta-analyses found that cinnamon supplementation can improve blood sugar control by lowering:
Fasting blood glucose
Insulin levels
Insulin resistance
HbA1c (long-term blood sugar marker)
Researchers suggest cinnamon may be helpful as a supportive aid for glycemic control, which could be relevant since blood sugar fluctuations are known to trigger seizures in some individuals.
🔬 Mechanisms of Ketogenic Diet Action - Jasper's Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies - NCBI Bookshelf
🔬 Cinnamon supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes or with PCOS: Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome | Springer Nature Link
🌿Cinnamon Types
A 2019 study analysed different commercial types of cinnamon by comparing their levels of two key compounds:
cinnamaldehyde (the main active ingredient)
coumarin (a compound that can be harmful to the liver in high amounts).
The results showed clear differences between types:
➤ Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)
Very low levels of coumarin
Lower cinnamaldehyde content
Considered the safest, highest-quality option (often called “true cinnamon”)
➤ Cassia cinnamon (C. cassia / C. burmannii, etc.)
Higher cinnamaldehyde (stronger flavour and more active compounds)
Much higher coumarin levels
Lower safety profile for regular or long-term use, but still commonly consumed in food
The study also found that many cinnamon products on the market are mislabeled or mixed, making it difficult for consumers to know exactly what they are buying. For this reason, it is important to check the type of cinnamon you are using and choose reliable, high-quality sources where possible.
⚗️Cinnamon Form
Most of cinnamon’s health-related compounds, including volatile oils and polyphenols, are released when the spice is ground or processed into extracts.
Different extraction methods can increase the amount of active compounds obtained, with techniques such as steam distillation, ethanol extraction, and hydroalcoholic extraction producing higher levels of cinnamaldehyde than simply using raw powder.
However, in everyday use, ground cinnamon (from the bark) is the most practical and relevant form, as it naturally releases essential oils when crushed. Laboratory extracts are more concentrated and show stronger effects in studies, but they are not typically used in daily diets.
Mild to moderate heating does not significantly damage cinnamaldehyde, so cinnamon can safely be used in teas, baking, porridge, and other warm foods without losing its key beneficial properties.
🧬 Other Benefits Of Cinnamon
A large 2013 systematic review of over 70 studies looked at the medicinal properties of ‘true’ cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) across the body.
It found evidence that cinnamon may help support:
METABOLIC & HEART HEALTH:
Lower blood sugar levels
Improved insulin sensitivity
Reduced cholesterol (including LDL and triglycerides)
Lower blood pressure in some studies
IMMUNE & ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS:
Antibacterial activity
Antifungal properties
Anti-parasitic effects
OTHER POTENTIAL BENEFITS:
Protection against stomach ulcers
Support for wound healing
Effects on enzymes involved in metabolism
📝NOTE:
When researching cinnamon, you may come across two scientific names for Ceylon cinnamon (also known as ‘true cinnamon’): Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Cinnamomum verum. These are not different plants. They are simply two names for the same species, just to confuse us!