If you're just getting started with terpenes, odds are you're wondering how each isolate can be used. Terpene isolates can be used in hemp, CBD, and cannabis products as well as concentrates, vapes, foods, beverages, and aromatherapy infusions. This week, we're diving deeper into the warm, spicy, cinnamon-scented terpene isolate known as Cinnamaldehyde.
Cinnamaldehyde Isolate
Cinnamaldehyde terpene isolate is one of the major compounds found in cinnamon and cassia essential oils. On average, these oils contain 70-90% Cinnamaldehyde terpenes, making them a lot more prevalent here than in cannabis or other plants. It has a very powerful spicey scent reminiscent of warm and spicy (you guessed it) cinnamon.
Historically, cinnamon has been used for centuries as holistic eastern medicine for its anti-inflammatory and heart-healthy properties. Its scent is so powerful that it’s often used in food preservation as well as the cosmetic industry and commercial cleaning products.
You can find Cinnamaldehyde terpenes in many cinnamon-scented or cinnamon-flavored products, such as lotions and creams, cinnamon gum, and aromatherapy infusions. On its own, it provides a variety of body-improving properties. Here’s everything you need to know about Cinnamaldehyde terpenes, their benefits, and where to find them.
Benefits of Cinnamaldehyde Terpenes
Cinnamaldehyde is one of the lesser-known terpene isolates out there. In fact, there’s a lot more to be learned about it, but emerging evidence suggests that Cinnamaldehyde terpenes may have a lot of benefits to offer within the body. Before we dive in, just keep in mind that you should always consult a doctor before starting a new dietary supplement, including one with terpenes.
First and foremost, Cinnamaldehyde offers a variety of internal and external benefits. Like most terpenes, it can be taken internally and used externally to reduce bacteria, microbes, viruses, and fungal spores. It’s good at killing and repelling insects, like many other spicy terpenes. Also like most terpenes, it’s marked as an anti-inflammatory for its interaction with body receptors that release the enzymes that cause inflammation. When used with other terpene isolates, it may support a healthy stomach and GI tract because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Cinnamaldehyde is also notably an anti-cancer. In animal models, Cinnamaldehyde terpenes (along with some others) were able to reduce the growth of cancer cells and the formation of blood vessels in tumors. In a study with mice with colon cancer, cinnamaldehyde terpenes found in cinnamon were able to activate the detoxifying enzymes in the colon to help protect against further cancer growth. These findings were backed up by a secondary study on human colon cells in test tubes that showed that Cinnamaldehyde terpenes in cinnamon could activate the antioxidant response that killed or stopped the spread of cancer.
Cinnamaldehyde may also regulate insulin levels and lower blood sugar. An estimated 87 million American adults have insulin resistance, which is a problem since this important hormone is used to regulate energy use and metabolism as well as helping to get blood sugar into your body cells. Cinnamaldehyde can drastically reduce insulin resistance and lower blood sugar levels. In the same vein, Cinnamaldehyde mimics insulin which greatly improves glucose uptake by your cells. Numerous human studies have also confirmed Cinnamaldehyde’s anti-diabetic effect, showing that it can lower fasting blood sugar levels by 10–29%.
Cinnamaldehyde is also a potent antioxidant that may protect your body from the oxidative damage caused by free radicals. In a study comparing essential oils of 26 spices, cinnamon extract (which contains 70-90% cinnamaldehyde) outranked superfoods like garlic and oregano oil, which have powerful antioxidant properties due to their high levels of Carvacrol terpenes. This fact coupled with the insulin and metabolism modulating properties of Cinnamaldehyde indicates that it may support cardiovascular and circulatory system function and heart health.
Cinnamaldehyde does a lot for the circulatory system and may also reduce the risk of heart disease. In animal models, Cinnamaldehyde was able to reduce blood pressure. It can also reduce levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while maintaining levels of “good” HDL cholesterol. In a human review study, scientists concluded that 120mgs of cinnamon per day could have all these effects and even increase levels of good cholesterol in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
Cinnamaldehyde may also help prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. Cinnamaldehyde was found to inhibit the buildup of the protein (tau) which causes Alzheimer’s. In an animal study on mice with Parkinson’s, Cinnamaldehyde helped protect the neurons within the brain and normalize neurotransmitter levels while also improving their motor function.
Last but not least, Cinnamaldehyde has the potential to help your body fight the HIV virus. In a lab study on HIV-infected cells, scientists found that cinnamon was the most effective treatment for HIV-1 out of all 70 plants studied. It didn’t kill the cells, but it reduced their spread.
All in all, lots of human and animal studies suggest that cinnamon essential oils and Cinnamaldehyde play a big role in the human circulatory system, metabolism, immune system, GI tract, and brain. Further study on humans is still needed to solidify all of the findings, but evidence suggests that Cinnamaldehyde and cinnamon offer a host of potential health benefits.
Natural Sources of Cinnamaldehyde Terpenes
Cinnamaldehyde is an aldehyde, meaning that it’s similar to terpenes, though it’s on a different page chemically because it also has a benzene ring—a hexagon shape formed by six carbon atoms. It isn’t found naturally in too many plants, though the plants it can be found in contain high concentrations of Cinnamaldehyde. Cinnamaldehyde terpenes can be found in the highest concentrations in Cinnamon bark and Cassia, though it can also be found in a few flowers, fruits, and spices.
It isn’t too common in cannabis plants, though it can usually be found in small concentrations along with other warm, spicy terpenes like b-Caryophyllene, Camphene, and Phytol. Check out the full list of plants that contain Cinnamaldehyde terpenes below.
TLDR; Cinnamaldehyde Terpenes
Antibacterial
Antiviral
Antimicrobial
Antifungal
Antioxidant
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-cancer
Anti-tumor
Anti-diabetic
Repels insects
Reduces cholesterol
Lowers blood sugar levels
May support cardiovascular and circulatory system function
May support a healthy stomach
May regulate metabolism
May have beneficial effects on neurodegenerative diseases
May help fight the HIV virus
Common Uses for Cinnamaldehyde Terpenes
Whether through your favorite fruits and herbs or through a diffuser, Cinnamaldehyde isolate smells and tastes great and works wonders within your body.
Cinnamaldehyde terpenes can be safely added to all sorts of products to reduce inflammation and blood sugar levels as well as a host of other potential health benefits. It can safely be eaten, drank, infused, and inhaled with a little bit of mixing. It can also be used to improve cannabis products like vapes and concentrates that may have lost cannabinoid potency or terpene content during extraction.
Add Cinnamaldehyde terpenes to foods and beverages to enjoy the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and general healing properties within the whole body. A few drops of water-soluble Cinnamaldehyde terpenes in your favorite foods or beverages add a warm, spicy flavor that can help you fight infections, reduce inflammation, and improve your circulation.
Add Cinnamaldehyde terpenes to essential oil diffusers and aromatherapy infusions to enjoy a spicy scent reminiscent of warm cinnamon or cassia. It helps kill airborne bacteria, viruses, microbes, yeast, and fungal spores from the air.
Add Cinnamaldehyde terpenes to concentrates and hemp oils made from strains with higher b-Caryophyllene content, since cinnamaldehyde is a secondary terpene. Try it in strains like Death Star, Master Kush, and Gelato. Cinnamaldehyde terpenes can make them smell and taste better and boost the potency of THC/CBD effects.
Just keep in mind that not all terpenes are created equal. Different terpenes will always have different effects, but they're not all made the same. We know you have a choice when it comes to terpene providers, but no other choice comes close to our level of quality.
At Peak Supply Co, our Cinnamaldehyde terpene isolates are extracted from all-natural food-grade fruit, flower, and nut oils in our state-of-the-art facility. With our proprietary extraction and refinement method, we remove plant materials and any leftover impurities, leaving behind the purest terpene isolates on the market. Best of all, we even offer sample packs so you can try them all.
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