Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) is one of the world’s most beloved spices, but did you know it has useful benefits for fertility as well? It has been used for years to curb heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), including heavy bleeding due to endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Over the last 10 years it has been used to aid women with insulin resistance associated with PCOS and those with type 2 diabetes.
Cinnamon for PCOS
Resistance to insulin increases the body’s insulin levels. A pilot study published in 2007 by Fertility and Sterility showed cinnamon to greatly reduce insulin resistance in women with PCOS. The study showed that cinnamon reduced insulin resistance by increasing phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases activity in the insulin signaling pathway. This potentiates the action of the insulin. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase are a family of enzymes involved in cell function. Half of the women who took part in the pilot study took cinnamon extract for 8 weeks, while the half of the women took a placebo. After the 8-week period, both groups of women were tested using fasting and 2-hour oral glucose tolerance tests. The group who took the cinnamon had greatly reduced insulin resistance compared to the placebo group.
Another study showed cinnamon to improve glucose levels in type 2 diabetes patients (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). The double-blind study used 79 patients who normally managing their diabetes with diet, or medications like Metformin, a medication often prescribed for PCOS patients as well. Patients were randomly assigned to take 1 capsule, 3 times a day, of cinnamon (equal to 3g. or 1 tsp.), or a placebo for 4 months. At 40 days, fasting glucose levels were taken; patients taking cinnamon had a significantly reduced glucose level by 10.3% compared to 3.4% in the placebo group. These findings are promising to PCOS patients because of the similar insulin resistance associated with both type 2 diabetes and PCOS.
One study suggests cinnamon may also reduce insulin resistance by slowing the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine. This slows the breakdown of carbohydrates, which is important for people with diabetes and women with PCOS.
Research at the Human Nutrition Center at Tufts found that cinnamon triples insulin’s ability to metabolize glucose (blood sugar), protecting people against diabetes, lowering hunger, lowering sugar cravings, while increasing weight loss. Weight loss is often a difficult part of living with PCOS. Many women find that losing weight is next to impossible when living with PCOS. Cinnamon may be one natural way to improve weight loss in women with PCOS.
Lowering insulin resistance before PCOS turns to type 2 diabetes is important. Cinnamon may help, along with specific dietary changes for PCOS and diabetes. Learn more here…
Why is insulin resistance a problem for women with PCOS?
- Insulin resistance affects normal ovulation by preventing the body from ovulating or limiting the maturation process of the released egg.
- Women who are insulin resistant are also 4-5 times more likely to have a miscarriage. Imbalanced insulin levels due to PCOS make it difficult for the embryo to attach properly to the uterus.
- Insulin resistance may lead to type 2 diabetes.
Cinnamon Reduces Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Cinnamon has been shown to be a useful tool for women with heavy menstrual bleeding associated with endometriosis, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, and primary menorrhagia. Cinnamon has been used traditionally for hundreds of years to stop excessive menstrual bleeding, hemorrhage during childbirth and miscarriage and today, for any fertility condition where heavy menstruation is present. Cinnamon taken internally may curb heavy bleeding.
Indication by Fertility Issue
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is when excess endometrial lining of the uterus that normally grows in preparation for implantation of the egg, does not completely shed during menstruation. It then begins to attach to other places of the body besides the uterus. When menses comes not only does the lining in the uterus bleed the endometriosis that has grown in other places of the body also bleeds. Some women with endometriosis have abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are lumps of tissue that form on the uterus or within the uterus. They may cause excessive menstrual bleeding.
Menorrhagia
(heavy menstrual bleeding) Most women who are experiencing excessive bleeding during their menstrual cycle have ovulatory dysfunction; in other words, they are not ovulating correctly. This is most often due to hormonal imbalance.
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda have used cinnamon for thousands of years to bring warmth to a cold uterus. A cold uterus is defined as boggy, congested uterus with poor circulation and menstrual irregularities, including PCOS, endometriosis, uterine fibroids or amenorrhea or for women with a sedentary lifestyle. The increased circulation and warming effect also may help reduce menstrual cramping.
Cinnamon may also help to prevent yeast infection. High blood sugar levels increase risk of chronic yeast infection (Candida overgrowth); remember that cinnamon helps to lower blood sugar levels.
Suggested Usage:
Daily for PCOS or type 2 Diabetes
Dried bark powder: 1 capsule, 3 times a day or 3g.= 1 tsp.of loose powdered cinnamon root
Tincture: 2-4 mL or 45-115 drops a day, in a little water
Note: If using to reduce insulin resistance, it is best to let your doctor know.
Acutely for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Dried bark powder: 1 heaping teaspoon in 1 cup hot water per day or 3 capsules right away, then 1 cap two more times that day.
Tincture: 115 drops right away, 30 drops two times in the day after that
Note: Only to be used this way during heavy bleeding times
Not to be taken at high doses long-term, may be caustic to the mucosal lining of the digestive system.
Cautions: When NOT to use Cinnamon
-Cinnamon is a slight blood thinner, it is best not used by those on blood thinning medications.
-Not for use by people with stomach or duodenal ulcers.
-Not for use in pregnancy or lactation beyond using it as a cooking spice in foods.
I have used cinnamon externally to stop bleeding as well. Any cut that I can’t get to stop, I add cinnamon and it stops almost immediately. If you doubt its action for stopping excessive bleeding, try it sometime. I love cinnamon and love to add it to all kinds of foods…curry, oatmeal, cookies, breads, tea, chai tea, and more. Adding cinnamon to Fertility Smoothies is a great way to warm up your uterus! YUM!
- Wang, J. G., Anderson, R. A., Graham, G. M., Chu, M. C., Sauer, M. V., Guarnaccia, M. M., & Lobo, R. A. (2007). The effect of cinnamon extract on insulin resistance parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot study. Fertility and sterility, 88(1), 240-243. Retrieved from: https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(06)04555-9/fulltext
- Hlebowicz, J., Darwiche, G., Björgell, O., & Almér, L. O. (2007). Effect of cinnamon on postprandial blood glucose, gastric emptying, and satiety in healthy subjects. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 85(6), 1552-1556. Retrieved from: https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/85/6/1552/4632985
- Mang, B., Wolters, M., Schmitt, B., Kelb, K., Lichtinghagen, R., Stichtenoth, D. O., & Hahn, A. (2006). Effects of a cinnamon extract on plasma glucose, HbA1c, and serum lipids in diabetes mellitus type 2. European Journal of Clinical Investigation, 36(5), 340-344. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2362.2006.01629.x Retrieved from: https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/85/6/1552/4632985
- Monte, T. (1997). The complete guide to natural healing. New York: Berkley Pub. Group.
- Rodriguez, H. (2017). 5 Steps To Reversing Endometriosis Infertility. Retrieved from: http://natural-fertility-info.com/endometriosis
- January and February 2010: Cinnamon, by John Gallagher, https://learningherbs.com/herbmentor/
- Romm, Aviva. (2010). Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health. Churchill Livingstone: St. Louis, Missouri.
- Weed, S. S. (2011). Down there: sexual and reproductive health. Ash Tree Publishing.
Practicing natural health and herbalism for over 18 years, Dalene received her training and herbal certification under the guidance of Lynn Albers at Yarmony Mt. Herbal College in Colorado in 2000. She went on to become a Certified Birth Doula at Birthingway College of Midwifery in Portland, Oregon in 2007. As a Birth Doula, Dalene has helped to bring many new lives in to this world. Dalene has written 280+ fertility articles and with her vast array of herbal and holistic healing knowledge has helped 1000’s of women on their journey to Motherhood.
I had a miscarriage in May had two periods then after july never got period again till I took meds in Oct to get one. Now I have not gotten my period again yet. Wondering what kind of cinnamon to use to help regulate periods? I am also insulin resistant and on metformin twice a day right now.
Dear Rachelle,
I am sorry for your loss and what you are going through since!
The cinnamon discussed in this guide is Cinnamomum spp., it is not the cassia cinnamon often used in cooking/baking. Do you know why your period is missing? Do you have PCOS? Understanding how insulin resistance can lead to an overall hormonal imbalance, and recognizing ways to resolve the problem may be helpful as well.
Hello,
i have a light menstrual flow. Still can i have cinnamon and jaggery in the morning daily for cold and allergies ?
Dear Neha,
I would think cinnamon and jaggery are fine in moderation, but perhaps not daily. It takes a more therapeutic, higher, dose of cinnamon that is often consumed in a beverage or savory dish to influence menstrual bleeding.
Would Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil be as effective. I use a very high quality EO. THanks
Dear Lynne,
While cinnamon bark essential oil is known to have many benefits including support increased circulation and a health inflammation response, it is not known to act in quite the same ways powdered cinnamon bark dose (those that we share in this article).
Great Article! Thanks!
I have had PCOS from many years. Due to this I had a problem conceiving. My gyno. advised me to take hormonal tablets and then I conceived. My son is 2.7 yr old now.
Until a few, 3-4 months, back my menstrual cycle was regular without any medicine, but my period cycle has become irregular. My Gyno. gave me hormonal tablets to make it regular for one month. After that I got my periods. Again now it has became irregular. I exercise very little. Again my Gyno. is telling me to take the tablets to make it regular, but I am worried to depend on tablets always 🙁 which is not good ideally.
Can you please advise me on how can I make it regular with home remedies?
Thanks in advance!
Dear Asha!
PCOS requires that a woman make dietary and lifestyle changes. This endocrine system disorder causes hormonal imbalance which then results in an irregular menstrual cycle. Medications are only tricking the body into action, not correcting the imbalance at the source.
A commitment to changing your health is the first step! Many healthcare providers of all schools of thought know that dietary changes are foundational and have seen many women very successfully support themselves by simply eating a whole food PCOS diet. Exercise is important too!
You will find important information in this article written by our senior herbalist titled How to Reduce the Damaging Effects of PCOS on Fertility Through Diet and Herbs and the PCOS Fertility Diet Tip – Simple Food Choices to Stabilize Blood Sugar will be helpful as well.
It is important to support your body in re-learning balance by promoting healthy hormonal balance, a healthy uterine lining, regular ovulation, improved estrogen metabolism, reduced cravings for sweets and improved digestion all of which you will learn how to do in the articles above.
I hope this is helpful!
Great article, thank You! I used the cinnamon in hot water suggestion during my last heavy period and was amazed at how quickly it helped. I have very heavy flow, and I am not on any medications. Is there a dose of cinnamon I could safely take daily? For even a few months? I am positive improving circulation (over all and to my uterus) would be very helpful.
Thank you,
Jenny
Hello Jenny!
I am thankful you found a helpful natural remedy! Cinnamon is best used acutely, during times of heavy menstrual blood loss only, while also addressing the hormonal imbalance contributing to this for you. It is best to follow the usage guidelines under the heading “Acutely for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding“.
The article Do You Have Heavy Menstrual Bleeding? What You Can Do About It… shares natural remedies and herbs that are known to help, but also refer to the Natural Guide for Menstrual Health for ideas of how to create a holistic lifestyle plan to address diet, lifestyle, as well as hormone balance.
Take care!
Why not combine Cinnamon, kara jeera flax seeds, turmeric, black pepper and see magic?
Dear Alineitwe,
I am not familiar with “kara jeera flax seeds and see magic” so I am not able to guide you. If this recipe has been suggested to you by your herbalist or natural healthcare provider, it is best to follow their advice.
hi
i was diagnosed with PCOS and now being treated by metformin. Is it safe for me to take metformin together with cinnamon extract?
diyana
Dear Diyana,
We suggest if interested in trying an herb while on a medication that you reach out to your healthcare provider for guidance. It is best not to combine herbs with medications unless being properly guided by your healthcare provider. Herbs may impact how the medication is working.
Excellent article. For insulin resistance, is it safe to continue this dosage for long time?
Hello!
Cinnamon is not to be taken at high doses long term. When using cinnamon to reduce insulin resistance, it is best to work with a qualified natural healthcare practitioner and be sure your doctor knows you are using it.
Thanks. I tried some cinnamon when I experienced hypoglycemia after eating a huge amount of candy. I have heart failure at age 35, hypothyroidism, and premature dementia. Hypoglycemia and excessive insulin are very common issues with these disorders. Plus I have a family history of type-2 diabetes and deep vein thrombosis. Tomato juice helped with hypoglycemia for a while.
Dear Benedicta,
Thank you for sharing what worked for you. I am sorry for all you have to deal with!
Stay strong!
So is it safe to take a cinnamon supplement while also taking Metformin ER?
Hello Sarah!
It would be best to speak with your healthcare provider before taking an herb with your medication.
I have read that cinnamon is a slight blood thinner therefore, how is it possible for it to stop heavy bleeding?
According to herbal Materia Medica’s true Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) is supporting of menorrhagia (heavy menstrual flow) because of it’s uterine tonic effects. Cinnamon supports uterine tone and it’s most direct action is on uterine muscle fibers. This action causes mild uterine contraction therefore arresting bleeding. It is believed that lack of uterine tone, rather than the consistency of one’s blood, that leads to menorrhagia.