🏯Khmer Traditional Medicine

Cinnamon Bark (Khmer Krei)

Cinnamomum verum

About Cinnamon Bark (Khmer Krei)

Cinnamon Bark (Khmer Krei) (Cinnamomum verum) is a herb used in the Khmer Traditional Medicine tradition to help with Diabetes, Digestive Issues, Circulation, and Antimicrobial, among 1 other condition it addresses. The bark is the part traditionally used, taken internally.

Botanical background

Cinnamomum verum, called true cinnamon tree or Ceylon cinnamon tree is a small evergreen tree belonging to the family Lauraceae, native to Sri Lanka. Among other species, its inner bark is used to make cinnamon.

Source: Wikipedia, via iNaturalist

Parts used

Bark · internal
🫖

Decoction

1–2 cups daily
  • Add 1–2 tsp of dried Cinnamon Bark (Khmer Krei) to 2 cups of cold water.
  • Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15–20 minutes.
  • Strain and drink warm.
💧

Tincture

20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily
  • Pack dried Cinnamon Bark (Khmer Krei) into a jar and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
  • Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
  • Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.
💊

Powder / Capsule

500 mg – 1 g, 1–3× daily
  • Grind dried Cinnamon Bark (Khmer Krei) into a fine powder.
  • Fill size 00 capsules or stir into smoothies or honey.

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
  • Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
  • Pre-surgery — discontinue at least 2 weeks prior (potential antiplatelet effect)
  • Diabetes medications — may enhance hypoglycaemic effect; monitor blood glucose closely

Warnings

⚠️ Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established for most herbal remedies. Consult your midwife or doctor before use.

Diabetes Medications

May enhance the blood sugar–lowering effect of insulin or oral diabetes medications. Monitor blood glucose closely.

Heart & Blood Pressure Medications

May interact with antihypertensive drugs, blood thinners, or cardiac medications. Do not combine without medical guidance.

⚠️ Allergic Reactions

Discontinue immediately if you experience rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

⚠️ Not Medical Advice

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal remedies.

Drug & herb interactions

Diabetes medications

Cassia cinnamon may lower blood sugar; monitor glucose closely with regular high-dose use.

Liver-metabolized medications

High-dose cassia cinnamon contains coumarin, a liver-stressing compound.

Where to find in nature

Native region

Various global regions

Climate

Varied

Habitat

Cultivated in traditional medicinal gardens, botanical gardens, and herb farms worldwide

🌿 To see Cinnamon Bark (Khmer Krei) growing, visit botanical gardens, university plant collections, or specialist herb nurseries near you. If foraging in the wild, always work with an expert identifier — never consume a plant you are not 100% certain of.

Where to buy

In store

  • Health food stores (Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Holland & Barrett, GNC)
  • Naturopathic clinics and integrative medicine practices
  • Specialist herbal apothecaries and herbalist practices
  • Farmers markets with herb vendors

Online

iHerb

Wide selection of standardised extracts, capsules, and powders with lab testing

Mountain Rose Herbs

Premium bulk dried herbs — certified organic, ethically sourced

Starwest Botanicals

Large selection of certified organic bulk herbs and powders

Herb Pharm

High-quality liquid extracts and tinctures, rigorous quality standards

Amazon

Convenient — verify brand certifications and check third-party testing

Etsy

Small-batch artisan herbalists, hand-harvested and wildcrafted herbs

Quality tips

When buying Cinnamon Bark (Khmer Krei), look for: certified organic labelling, clearly stated country of origin, third-party lab testing for heavy metals and pesticides, and a batch expiry date. Standardised extracts offer consistent dosing; bulk dried herbs are more economical for regular use. Avoid very cheap, unlabelled products — quality varies enormously.