Cinnamon is one of the world's oldest spices; the tree is native to Srilanka where it was found six thousand years ago. Cinnamon was known to ancient physicians even before 2700 BC. Cinnamon, it appears to have reached Egypt and Europe by the fifth century BC. This tree occurs in south India, from 200 to 500 meter altitudes. Eminent unani physician Hakeem Hashmi says that the Chinese used the bark of this tree as a medicine. The Romans also knew about the medicinal value of this bark. Eminent physicians like Galen, discords and sassafras described various uses of cinnamon, Indians knew about the therapeutic uses of this herb before the eighth century. The oldest record available about the description of cinnamon is in the "torah", the Jewish religious text. It was, however, Khizvenee, who was the first person to give details about the medicinal virtues othis in the 13th century. Dried leaves of this evergreen tree, along with its inner bark are used as a spice or condiment. It has a pleasing fragrance and a warm, sweet and aromatic taste.

Cinnamon leaves & bark are used in the form of decoction or powder. Cinnamon is stimulant & useful in curing flatulence and in increasing secretion and discharge of urine. Cinnamon prevents nervous tension, improves complexion & memory. A pinch of cinnamon powder mixed with honey is useful if taken regularly every night for these purposes.

In case of influenza, sore throat and malaria, coarsely powdered & boiled cinnamon, in a tumbler of water with a pinch of pepper powder & honey is beneficially used as medicine. It is regular use during the rainy season prevents attacks of influenza. Honey mixed with drops of cinnamon oil gives relief from cold.

Cinnamon controls nausea, vomiting & diarrhoea. It stimulates digestion. Coarsely powdered & boiled cinnamon water with a pinch of pepper & honey, taken half an hour after meals, relieves flatulence & indigestion.

Cinnamon is very beneficial in eliminating foul breath and serves as a good mouth freshener. Small pieces of cinnamon can be chewed, or gargle with cinnamon water.

Headache due to the exposure to cold wind is readily cured by applying a thin paste of finely powdered cinnamon mixed in water on the temples & forehead.

Paste of cinnamon powder with a few drops of fresh lemon juice can be applied over pimples & black heads to get beneficial result. Several ailments, including spasmodic affliction, asthma, paralysis, excessive menstruation, uterus disorders & gonorrhoea can be successfully treated with cinnamon. The eminent unani physician Hakeem Hashmi says some communicates use cinnamon for natural birth control. It has a very good effect of checking the early release of ova after childbirth. A piece of cinnamon taken every night for a month after child birth delays menstruation for more than is to 20 minutes preventing early conception. Cinnamon indirectly helps the secretion of breast milk. Prolonged breast feeding checks the restarting of menstruation after childbirth.
Dried cinnamon leaves & inner bark are used for flavouring cakes & sweets and in curry powder. Cinnamon is also used in incense, dentifrices and liqueurs. It is also used is pharmaceutical & dental preparations. Cinnamon leaf oil is used in perfumes, flavouring and in the synthesis of vanillin.