A Simple Cinnamon Tea Recipe

1. Place the cinnamon stick in a mug.

2. Add the boiling water and steep the cinnamon stick tea, covered, for 10 minutes.

3. Add the teabag. Steep for one to two additional minutes. Remove the teabag and cinnamon stick.

4. Sweeten to taste, if desired.

Optional Ingredients

If you use black tea (either regular or decaffeinated), you can add in warm milk or a dairy-free substitute and sweeten it to taste with honey or maple syrup.

Instead of black tea, you can substitute a rooibos or honeybush teabag.

If you prefer to drink it without black tea, you can omit the tea bag, however try adding 1 to 2 thin slices of fresh ginger to the cup before steeping for a spicy kick. For an additional flavor boost, add a dash of turmeric and black pepper with the ginger before steeping.

You can also squeeze a lemon or lime wedge into the tea.

Precautions

Many products labeled cinnamon are sourced from species of cinnamon (such as the Cinnamomum cassia plant) that contain coumarin, a natural substance known to be hepatotoxic and carcinogenic. Excessive consumption of cinnamon tea may result in coumarin intake that exceeds the safe limit. (In Europe, for instance, the tolerable daily intake for coumarin is 0.1 mg/kg body weight.)

People taking diabetes medication or any medication that affects blood glucose or insulin levels shouldn't take therapeutic doses of cinnamon without first consulting their health care providers. Taking cinnamon together with medication may have an additive effect and cause blood glucose levels to dip too low.

Also, people who have been prescribed medication to manage their blood sugar should not reduce or discontinue their dose and take cinnamon instead, especially without speaking with a doctor. Improperly treated diabetes can lead to serious complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and nerve damage.

Pregnant women should avoid excessive amounts of cinnamon and shouldn't take it as a supplement.

Some people may experience allergic reactions to herbal tea containing cinnamon. Cinnamon has been found to cause allergic dermatitis. Rashes may appear around the mouth and lips (areas that come in contact with cinnamon) or may be widespread on the skin of the body.

According to one report, 1000 mg of cinnamon bark powder taken daily was associated with fluid retention (edema) and can possibly worsen congestive heart failure.

Drinking Cinnamon Tea

Beyond potential health benefits, a cup of cinnamon tea can be a delicious addition to your regular tea rotation. Still, overdoing it can lead to excessive intake of coumarins if you use such cinnamon species as Cinnamomum cassia. If you're unsure of how much you should be drinking, consult your health care provider before adding it to your diet.