Keihi oil
Also known as: Keihi oil, cinnamon bark oil, Cinnamomi Cortex oil, Cinnamomum verum oil, Cinnamomum cassia oil
Overview
Keihi oil is an essential oil extracted from the bark of cinnamon trees, primarily Cinnamomum cassia or Cinnamomum verum. It is traditionally used in East Asian medicine and contains cinnamaldehyde and other bioactive compounds responsible for its properties. The oil is primarily recognized for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and circulatory stimulant effects. It also finds applications in aromatherapy and as a flavoring agent. While cinnamon bark extracts have been extensively studied for their health benefits, specific high-quality clinical trials focusing solely on Keihi oil as a supplement are limited. The existing evidence is largely derived from preclinical studies and smaller clinical trials on broader cinnamon preparations, indicating a moderate level of research maturity for Keihi oil specifically.
Benefits
Keihi oil, consistent with other cinnamon bark extracts, offers several potential benefits. It has demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity in vitro against various bacteria and fungi, suggesting its potential utility in infection control. Furthermore, preclinical models have reported anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. While direct evidence for Keihi oil is limited, broader cinnamon bark extracts have been associated with modest improvements in cardiovascular health, specifically in blood lipid profiles (e.g., reduction in LDL-C). These extracts also show potential benefits for individuals with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes due to their effects on glucose metabolism. However, it's important to note that systematic reviews on cinnamon extracts indicate small to moderate effect sizes on lipid and glucose parameters, often with wide confidence intervals and high heterogeneity. Benefits typically manifest after several weeks of consistent use.
How it works
Keihi oil exerts its effects primarily through its active compounds, particularly cinnamaldehyde. These compounds modulate inflammatory pathways, such as NF-κB, which helps to reduce inflammation in the body. They also play a role in improving insulin signaling, contributing to better glucose metabolism. The antimicrobial action of Keihi oil is attributed to its ability to disrupt the membranes of microbial cells, leading to their inactivation. The oil's lipophilic nature allows for absorption via the gastrointestinal tract or skin, with bioavailability varying depending on the specific formulation.
Side effects
When used in culinary amounts, Keihi oil is generally recognized as safe. However, as a concentrated essential oil, it can cause irritation or allergic reactions, especially when applied topically or ingested in large quantities. Common side effects include skin irritation and mucous membrane sensitivity. Ingesting large amounts can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort. Rare but possible side effects include severe allergic reactions or sensitization. Keihi oil has potential interactions with certain medications; it may enhance the effects of anticoagulants due to its blood-thinning properties and could interact with antidiabetic medications due to its glucose-lowering effects. It is contraindicated in pregnant individuals and those with a known cinnamon allergy. Caution is advised for children and individuals with liver disease due to the potential for hepatotoxicity at high doses.
Dosage
The minimum effective dose for Keihi oil specifically is not well-established, as most research focuses on powdered cinnamon bark extracts, which typically use dosages ranging from 120 mg to 6 g per day. Due to the high potency of essential oils, Keihi oil dosages are generally much lower than those of powdered bark. There is no consensus on an optimal dosage, and high doses of cinnamon oil can be hepatotoxic, necessitating conservative dosing under medical supervision. When taken orally, it is usually recommended to take Keihi oil with meals to minimize gastrointestinal irritation. For topical application, the oil should always be diluted. Oral use often requires encapsulation or dilution to ensure safe consumption. Fat-containing meals may enhance the absorption of the oil.
FAQs
Is Keihi oil safe to ingest?
Keihi oil is generally safe in small, diluted amounts, but its high potency means it should be used cautiously due to the risk of irritation and potential toxicity at higher doses.
How quickly does Keihi oil work?
Observable effects on metabolic parameters like blood lipids or glucose typically require several weeks of consistent use, as the benefits accumulate over time.
Can Keihi oil replace prescribed medications?
No, Keihi oil should not replace prescribed medications. It may complement existing treatments but is not a substitute for medical therapy for conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Is Keihi oil the same as cinnamon powder?
No, Keihi oil is a concentrated essential oil extracted from cinnamon bark, making it significantly more potent than cinnamon powder. They have different safety profiles and usage guidelines.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6121943/ – This 2018 systematic review and network meta-analysis, while broadly covering various oils and fats, indirectly touched upon cinnamon oil's effects. It indicated modest improvements in lipid profiles but highlighted significant heterogeneity and low to moderate evidence quality, underscoring the need for more direct randomized controlled trials specifically on oils like Keihi oil.
- https://scispace.com/pdf/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-herbs-phytochemicals-3emriq1ys6.pdf – This review on complementary and alternative medicine identified Keihi (Cinnamomi Cortex) among herbal oils with potential metabolic benefits. However, it noted a lack of high-quality randomized controlled trial data specifically for the oil form, suggesting that much of the evidence is extrapolated from other cinnamon preparations.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36343558/ – This 2022 systematic review on olive oil consumption demonstrated significant cardiovascular benefits, serving as an example of high-quality evidence for dietary oils. It implicitly highlights the current gap in similar rigorous research specifically for Keihi oil, emphasizing the need for more direct and robust studies.