Herb of the Week: Cinnamon

(Scientific Name: Cinnamomum verum (also known as Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

Also known as: True Cinnamon, Ceylon Cinnamon, Cassia (related but distinct), Sweet Wood

Warm, sweet, and deeply aromatic, cinnamon is one of the world’s oldest and most beloved spices. Used in ancient Egypt, treasured along the Silk Road, and prized in both culinary and magical traditions, cinnamon has traveled through cultures as both a luxury and a healing ally. Often called “sweet wood,” cinnamon has been valued not only for its flavor but for its protective, energizing, and heart-warming qualities.

Today, this familiar kitchen staple continues to enchant herbalists, witches, and healers alike.

Folklore & Magic of

Cinnamon has a long and storied magical history:

• Burned as incense in ancient temples to purify sacred space

• Carried in sachets for protection, luck, and prosperity

• Added to spell jars to ignite passion or speed up intentions

• Used in money magic to “heat up” financial opportunities

• Sprinkled around the home to invite warmth, love, and abundance

• Associated with the Sun and Fire due to its warming and stimulating nature

Symbolism

Below are the symbolic correspondences often connected to cinnamon, with brief definitions:

• Protection – Shields your energy or space from harm or negativity

• Prosperity – Attracts financial flow, opportunities, and abundance

• Passion – Fuels desire, confidence, and motivation

• Healing – Supports physical, emotional, or energetic restoration

• Vitality – Enhances energy, vigor, and overall life force

• Warmth – Encourages comfort, connection, and emotional openness

  
  
  
  

Cinnamon in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

In TCM, cinnamon is used in two primary forms: Rou Gui (cinnamon bark) and Gui Zhi (cinnamon twig). Both are warming and move Qi, but each has specific energetics.

Energetics:

• Temperature: Hot / Warming

• Taste: Pungent, Sweet

• Channels Entered: Heart, Kidney, Liver, Spleen

• Main Actions: 

  • Warms the interior

  • Disperses cold

  • Moves blood and Qi

  • Supports Yang energy

  • Strengthens Kidney fire

  • Helps relieve cold-related pain

Rou Gui (bark) is considered stronger and deeply warming, while Gui Zhi (twig) moves the exterior, supports circulation, and warms the surface.

Medicinal Benefits of

Cinnamon has long been studied for its many therapeutic qualities.

Medicinal Benefits:

• Anti-inflammatory – Helps reduce swelling and pain

• Antimicrobial – Supports immune response and fights bacteria/fungi

• Blood Sugar Support – May improve insulin sensitivity

• Digestive Aid – Eases gas, bloating, nausea, and slow digestion

• Circulation Booster – Warms the body and increases blood flow

• Antioxidant-Rich – Protects cells from oxidative stress

• Menstrual Support – Helps ease cramping and cold-type pain

Nutritional Profile:

• Manganese

• Calcium

• Iron

• Vitamin K

• Polyphenols

• Potent plant antioxidants

Lesson: The Magick of Warmth, How Cinnamon Moves Energy

Cinnamon teaches us the power of gentle heat, the kind that awakens, moves, and comforts all at once.

Just as cinnamon warms the body, it also warms the spirit. In both herbalism and magical practice, cinnamon reminds us that transformation often begins with a spark: a flicker of intention, a touch of courage, a moment of opening.

Working with cinnamon encourages you to:

• Move stagnant energy

• Ignite creativity

• Approach life with warmth and heart

• Embrace passion and purpose

• Step into abundance with confidence

  
  

Its spirit whispers: “Stoke your inner fire.”

Cinnamon is so much more than a kitchen spice, it is a symbol of warmth, vitality, protection, and prosperity. Whether used as incense, medicine, a spell ingredient, or simply sprinkled into your morning tea, cinnamon connects you to ancient wisdom and the gentle fire that fuels creativity and joy.

✨ Want to dive deeper into the healing power of herbs? Explore more in our Herb of the Week series, featuring wisdom from the Healing Plants Oracle Deck, illustrated by pioneering herbalist Elizabeth Blackwell.

⚠️ Disclaimer & Safety

This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure medical conditions. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbs medicinally.

Potential Allergies & Medical Considerations:

• Some may experience allergic reactions to cinnamon (skin irritation, mouth sores).

• Individuals with liver conditions should use large doses with caution.

• Cinnamon may interact with diabetes medications by lowering blood sugar.

• Avoid high doses during pregnancy unless guided by a practitioner.

• Essential oil is extremely strong, always dilute properly.

• Cassia cinnamon contains coumarin, which in excess may affect liver health.