Author(s): Abdullah Azmi, Shakeeb Ahmad Khan, Uzma Siddiqui and Mohammad Sami

Abstract: The history of herbal medicines is as old as human civilization. Darchini is one of the important medicines used in spices since ancient times, commonly known as Cinnamon. Unani physicians like Dioscorides, Galen, and Ibn sina have also described its medicinal properties. It consists of the dried inner bark of the shoots of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, belonging to the Lauraceae family. It is an evergreen tree, native to Sri Lanka and the Malabar coast of India. It has demulcent, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, deobstruent, liver tonic, stomachic, and carminative actions. The therapeutic usage is mainly in hepatic and gastric complaints, and it is an excellent appetizer. Cinnamon bark contains about 0.5-1.0% of volatile oil. The essential oil extracted from the bark of cinnamon contains various compounds, including cinnamaldehyde, which contributes to its distinct flavour and aroma. Additionally, benzaldehyde and terpenes are also present in smaller amounts, the oil have antioxidant and hepatoprotective and antimicrobial activity.

DOI: 10.22271/flora.2024.v12.i2a.924