Steep one crushed cinnamon stick in simmering water for about ten minutes, covered, to preserve the volatile essential oils. Strain and drink warm, possibly sweetened with honey. One stick (approximately 2 to 3 g) per cup, one to two cups per day, for a short-term course.
Gently boil the bark for a few minutes, then steep off the heat. This more concentrated preparation should remain occasional and is not recommended for long periods without professional advice. Dosage should be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.
Traditional alcoholic preparation obtained by prolonged maceration of the bark in alcohol. Due to its high concentration of active principles, its use requires preparation by a professional and the dosage cannot be generalized. Dosage should be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.
Ceylon cinnamon bark, whole or powdered, can be found at herbalists and specialty grocers; it comes mainly from Sri Lanka and certain regions of India and Madagascar where the cinnamon tree is cultivated.
The bark is traditionally harvested during the rainy season, when the tree is in full sap, which facilitates its separation from the wood.