#Cinnamon

A growing body of international research warns that high intake of ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon—especially in supplement form—can interfere with prescribed medicines. While these spices are staples in Thai cooking and traditional healing, experts say excessive consumption may affect how drugs are processed in the body, posing risks for people with chronic conditions.

In Thai homes from bustling markets to village kitchens, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon are deeply woven into daily life. They are celebrated for potential immune support and anti-inflammatory benefits. But recent findings highlight safety concerns when these spices are consumed in high-dose supplements, particularly for vulnerable groups or those taking long-term medications.

A new wave of international research is spotlighting the risks of high consumption of popular spices—particularly ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon—when used alongside prescription medications. While these aromatic staples have long been celebrated for their health benefits in both traditional Thai cuisine and medicine, current scientific evidence suggests that excessive intake, especially through supplements, could interfere with drug metabolism and trigger dangerous interactions, especially among individuals with chronic health conditions.

From Bangkok’s bustling markets to rural households across Thailand, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon are cornerstones of everyday cooking and wellness rituals. The use of these spices is deeply entrenched in Thai culture, often recommended in local remedies and embraced for their perceived ability to boost immunity, reduce inflammation, or manage metabolic conditions. However, recent findings originating from a University of Mississippi study—now widely cited by health platforms including The Conversation and major international news outlets—are raising red flags about their safety in concentrated or supplemental forms, particularly for vulnerable groups or those already prescribed medications for chronic diseases.

In the fragrant tapestry of Thai herbal medicine, few remedies are as enduring and evocative as อบเชย — the inner bark of trees from the Cinnamomum genus, globally known as cinnamon. Revered for centuries in traditional Thai practice and now validated by an emerging body of modern scientific research, cinnamon’s story is one of remarkable intersection, where ancient wisdom and cutting-edge pharmacology converge. As cinnamon once wove itself into the heart of local temples, kitchens, and healing ceremonies, today it stirs renewed curiosity among health-conscious readers and researchers wishing to unlock the secrets behind this cherished bark.

Cinnamon, or อบเชย in Thai, sits at the crossroads of ancient wisdom and modern science in Thai herbal practice. The fragrant inner bark of Cinnamomum species has long been valued in temples, kitchens, and healing rituals. Today, researchers are revisiting this beloved bark to understand how traditional uses align with contemporary pharmacology, especially for health, education, culture, and tourism audiences in Thailand.

Cinnamon has long been a staple in Thai herbal medicine. Its warm aroma accompanies remedies for digestion, circulation, colds, and ceremonial occasions. From palace kitchens to rural markets, the spice has symbolized wellness and auspiciousness. In Thai pharmacopeia, อบเชย is recognized both as a flavor enhancer and as a therapeutic ingredient in traditional decoctions and powders. Data from Thailand’s pharmaceutical literature confirms its ongoing role in local health practices.