What is it used for?
Branch bark, Stem bark or Trunk bark
Helps to support/maintain healthy blood glucose levels [Source note 2].
Source of antioxidants/Provides antioxidants [Source note 3].
Source of antioxidants/Provides antioxidants that help fight/protect (cell) against/reduce (the oxidative effect of/the oxidative damage caused by/cell damage caused by) free radicals [Source note 4].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine for digestive disturbances/dyspeptic complaints/indigestion (such as mild spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, bloating and flatulence) [Source note 5].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine for loss of appetite [Source note 6].
Trunk bark only
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to dispel cold, relieve pain, open channels and collaterals [Source note 7].
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to dispel cold, warm the spleen and relieve pain [Source note 8].
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to encourage production of qi and blood [Source note 9].
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to tonify kidney yang and augment ming men (life gate) fire [Source note 10].
The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine (e.g., Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to encourage production of qi and blood, tonify kidney yang and augment ming men fire).
For multi-ingredient products:
To prevent the product from being represented as a “traditional medicine”, any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific active ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g., Cassia is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine for loss of appetite).
When ALL of the active ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.
What this guide covers
The solidus (/) indicates that the terms and/or statements are synonymous. Either term or statement may be selected by the applicant on the label.
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Branch bark, Stem bark or Trunk bark
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract)
Antioxidant
Not to exceed 6 grams of dried branch bark, stem bark and/or trunk bark, per day and 4 grams per single dose [Source note 11].
Appetite loss; Digestive disturbances/Indigestion
1 - 6 grams of dried branch bark, stem bark and/or trunk bark, per day; Not to exceed 4 grams per single dose [Source note 12].
Healthy glucose
3 - 6 grams of dried branch bark, stem bark and/or trunk bark, per day; Not to exceed 4 grams per single dose [Source note 13].
Trunk bark only
Traditional Chinese Medicine claims
Method of preparation: Decoction, Decoction concentrate
2 - 5 grams of dried trunk bark, per day [Source note 14].
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract)
1 - 2 grams of dried trunk bark, per day [Source note 15].
How is it used?
Appetite loss
(For appetite loss)*, take 30 minutes before meals.
Digestive disturbances/Indigestion
(For digestive disturbances)*, take with a meal/food [Source note 16].
*Note: Information in brackets is required on the label when both uses for appetite loss and digestive disturbances are listed on the label.
How long is it used?
Products providing 4 - 6 g of branch bark, stem bark and/or trunk bark, per day
Ask a healthcare professional for use beyond 6 weeks [Source note 17].
Warnings and precautions
Appetite loss; Digestive disturbances/Indigestion; Traditional Chinese Medicine claims
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
Products providing 1 g or more of branch bark, stem bark and/or trunk bark, per day
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are breastfeeding [Source note 18].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have diabetes [Source note 19].
When should it be avoided?
Products providing 1 g or more of branch bark, stem bark and/or trunk bark, per day
Do not use if you are pregnant [Source note 20].
Traditional Chinese Medicine claims
Do not use if you have excess heat, blood heat or deficiency, or yin-deficient fire [Source note 21].
Possible side effects
Stop use if hypersensitivity/allergy occurs [Source note 22].
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinnamomum aromaticum |
| Cinnamomum aromaticum |
| Dry |
References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Common name: USDA 2024; Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Brinker 2010; Chen and Chen 2004; Blumenthal et al. 2000; Source information: PPRC 2020; Crawford 2009; BHC 2006; Mang et al. 2006; Bensky et al. 2004; Chen and Chen 2004; Khan et al. 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000,1998.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- May 30, 2025
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
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