Cooking and Meal Prep Recipes Simple Cinnamon Tea By Alena Kharlamenko, MS, RD, CDN Alena Kharlamenko, MS, RD, CDN Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Alena Kharlamenko, MS, RDN, CDN, is a registered dietitian with a passion for translating complicated health and nutrition research into easily digestible information. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 01, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN Medically reviewed by Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN LinkedIn Twitter Kristy is a licensed registered dietitian nutritionist and trained culinary professional. She has worked in a variety of settings, including MSKCC and Rouge Tomate. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Jokic / Getty Images (238 ratings) Total Time: 17 min Prep Time: 5 min Cook Time: 12 min Servings: 1 Nutrition Highlights (per serving) 0 calories 0g fat 0g carbs 0g protein Show Nutrition Label Hide Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings: 1 Amount per serving Calories 0 % Daily Value* Total Fat 0g 0% Saturated Fat 0g 0% Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 0mg 0% Total Carbohydrate 0g 0% Dietary Fiber 0g 0% Total Sugars 0g Includes 0g Added Sugars 0% Protein 0g Vitamin D 0mcg 0% Calcium 0mg 0% Iron 0mg 0% Potassium 0mg 0% *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. Cinnamon has a delicious, naturally sweet flavor and is one of the oldest known spices. It's also one of the key ingredients in chai and spice tea. Widely used in cooking and traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, cinnamon is touted as a natural remedy with many health benefits. Despite its long history of use, very few studies have tested cinnamon's effects. Nevertheless, a 2018 study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that consuming a cinnamon extract significantly reduced inflammation and clinical symptoms in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Cinnamon may also have benefits related to blood sugar control and lipid levels. A 2018 review found that cinnamon consumption was associated with decreased fasting glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. However, there was no significant effect on hemoglobin A1c levels. Although some people like to sprinkle cinnamon on oatmeal or apple slices, cinnamon tea is another option for getting a little daily dose. This simple recipe requires only a few ingredients and a few minutes for the cinnamon and tea to steep. Ingredients 1 Ceylon cinnamon stick 8 ounces water 1 tea bag (regular or decaffeinated black tea or herbal tea) Preparation Place the cinnamon stick in a mug. Boil the water and add it to the mug. Steep the cinnamon stick in boiling water, covered, for 10 minutes. Add the tea bag. Steep for 1 to 2 additional minutes. Remove the tea bag and cinnamon stick. Serve warm or hot. Variations and Substitutions Many products labeled as 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 in large doses. To avoid coumarin, opt for Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum). You can substitute a rooibos or honeybush tea instead of black tea if you're in the mood for herbal tea. If you prefer to skip the tea, you can simply enjoy warm, cinnamon-infused water instead. You can also try adding one to two thin slices of fresh ginger to the cup before steeping for a spicy kick. Add a dash of turmeric and black pepper with the ginger before steeping for an additional flavor boost. Cooking and Serving Tips Try adding warm milk (or a dairy-free alternative) for a creamier drink and sweeten it to taste with honey or maple syrup before serving.You can also skip the milk and squeeze a lemon or lime wedge into the tea for an added citrus flavor.If you take diabetes medication or any medication that affects blood glucose or insulin levels, consult with your healthcare provider before taking therapeutic doses of cinnamon. Taking cinnamon together with medication may have an additive effect and cause blood glucose levels to dip too low.Some people may experience allergic reactions to herbal tea containing cinnamon, such as dermatitis. 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 a cinnamon species such as Cinnamomum cassia. If you're unsure how much you should be drinking, consult your healthcare provider before adding it to your diet. Rate this Recipe You've already rated this recipe. Thanks for your rating! 5 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Shishehbor F, Rezaeyan Safar M, Rajaei E, Haghighizadeh MH. Cinnamon consumption improves clinical symptoms and inflammatory markers in women with rheumatoid arthritis. J Am Coll Nutr. 2018;1-6. doi:10.1080/07315724.2018.1460733 Allen RW, Schwartzman E, Baker WL, Coleman CI, Phung OJ. Cinnamon use in type 2 diabetes: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Fam Med. 2013;11(5):452-9. doi:10.1370/afm.1517 Abraham K, Wohrlin F, Lindtner O, Heinemeyer G, Lampen A. Toxicology and risk assessment of coumarin: Focus on human data. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2010;54(2):228-39. doi:10.1002/mnfr.200900281 Kizilaslan N, Erdem NZ. The effect of different amounts of cinnamon consumption on blood glucose in healthy adult individuals. Int J Food Sci. 2019;2019:4138534. doi:10.1155/2019/4138534 Mertens M, Gilissen L, Goossens A, Lambert J, Vermander E, Aerts O. Generalized systemic allergic dermatitis caused by Cinnamomum zeylanicum in a herbal tea. Contact Derm. 2017;77(4):259-261. doi:10.1111/cod.12812 By Alena Kharlamenko, MS, RD, CDN Alena Kharlamenko, MS, RDN, CDN, is a registered dietitian with a passion for translating complicated health and nutrition research into easily digestible information. She has written for LIVESTRONG, Healthline, Today's Dietitian, and PlateJoy, and has been featured in national media outlets like Cooking Light, EatingWell, Everyday Health, and Food Network. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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