Not only does cinnamon smell good but a recent clinical study may give you a natural alternative to Claritin, Zyrtec, or other over the counter prescription drugs for your allergies.
Every year more than 500 million people are affected by nasal allergies and let’s be honest – it’s not fun with symptoms that include sneezing and nasal discharge.
It is not uncommon for a doctor to recommend antihistamines, nasal steroids, or decongestants for nasal allergies to help control the symptoms.
A recent clinical study was published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine tested if an intranasal cinnamon bark extract could relieve seasonal allergies.
Cinnamon bark is rich in the anti-oxidants known as proanthocyanidins which is associated with many health promoting properties that include immune system modulation, anti-inflammation, anti-arthritis, and anti-viral.
Here are some of the study details:
- Cinnamon bark extract was spayed in each nostril two times daily
- Each spray was 100 micrograms per 100 microliters (i.e. 1/10th of 1 mg per 1/10th of 1 mL)
- 40 patients were enrolled in the study to receive either Cinnamon Extract or placebo
- The study lasted 4 weeks
During the study the RQLQ (i.e. Rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire) was used for the study.
Over a 4 week period here were the results with significant improvements with cinnamon extract:
- 26.7% decrease in non-hay fever symptoms
- 40.2% decrease in nasal symptoms RQLQ
- 33.4% decrease in eye symptoms RQLQ
- 29.4% decrease in emotional problems RQLQ
In terms of safety no serious adverse events were observed. In both the placebo group and the cinnamon bark extract group minor side effects were reported that included cough and throat irritation.
Take away message: Cinnamon bark extract given by an intranasal spray was well tolerated over a 4 week period. Improvement in nasal symptoms, eye symptoms, sleep disturbance was improved in the cinnamon bark extract group. It is too early to tell but it could be possible that cinnamon bark extract product could make its way to the market to help improve allergy symptoms.
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Allergies, Inflammation, Plant Extracts
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