True cinnamon tree Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 2,498 found this helpful

True Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is inherently non-toxic to humans, cats, dogs, and horses when consumed in small amounts.

Non-Ceylon cinnamon varieties have elevated coumarin content, which poses carcinogenic and hepatotoxic risks at high or chronic intake levels.

No cinnamon variety is recommended for use as a regular feed component for any animal species.

FAQ

Is True cinnamon tree toxic to Humans?

No adverse effects expected from typical culinary use of true Ceylon cinnamon. Extremely high consumption of high-coumarin cinnamon variants may cause liver stress and gastrointestinal irritation. (Non-toxic)

Is True cinnamon tree toxic to Cats?

No toxic symptoms expected from accidental small ingestion of true Ceylon cinnamon. Large intake of high-coumarin cinnamon may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and rare liver injury. (Non-toxic)

Is True cinnamon tree toxic to Dogs?

No toxic symptoms expected from accidental small ingestion of true Ceylon cinnamon. Large intake of high-coumarin cinnamon may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and rare liver injury. (Non-toxic)

Is True cinnamon tree toxic to Horses?

No toxic symptoms expected from accidental small ingestion of true Ceylon cinnamon. Large intake of high-coumarin cinnamon may cause gastrointestinal upset and liver stress. (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No adverse effects expected from typical culinary use of true Ceylon cinnamon. Extremely high consumption of high-coumarin cinnamon variants may cause liver stress and gastrointestinal irritation.

Cats

Non-toxic

No toxic symptoms expected from accidental small ingestion of true Ceylon cinnamon. Large intake of high-coumarin cinnamon may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and rare liver injury.

Dogs

Non-toxic

No toxic symptoms expected from accidental small ingestion of true Ceylon cinnamon. Large intake of high-coumarin cinnamon may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and rare liver injury.

Horses

Non-toxic

No toxic symptoms expected from accidental small ingestion of true Ceylon cinnamon. Large intake of high-coumarin cinnamon may cause gastrointestinal upset and liver stress.

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo parts of true Ceylon cinnamon are inherently toxic. Bark and processed products of high-coumarin non-Ceylon cinnamon varieties are the primary high-risk parts.

Exposure RouteIngestion of raw cinnamon material or cinnamon-containing food, supplement, or feed products

Toxic CompoundsCoumarin (present in high levels in non-Ceylon cinnamon varieties)

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• If large amount of high-coumarin cinnamon is ingested, rinse mouth thoroughly and give small sips of water to dilute the material.
• Monitor for early signs of gastrointestinal distress including vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain.
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed to do so by a medical professional or veterinarian.

Contact Vet Immediately

• Your pet has ingested a large quantity of unlabeled or confirmed high-coumarin cinnamon.
• Your pet shows persistent vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or loss of appetite after cinnamon ingestion.
• Your livestock has consumed cinnamon as part of their regular feed over an extended period.

Prevention

• Store all cinnamon products, including bulk culinary cinnamon and cinnamon supplements, out of reach of children and pets.
• Avoid adding any type of cinnamon to animal feed for regular consumption.
• Opt for verified true Ceylon cinnamon for human culinary use to minimize long-term coumarin exposure.

Treatment & Prognosis

• Administer supportive care including fluid therapy to manage hydration if gastrointestinal symptoms occur.
• Conduct liver function testing for cases of large or chronic high-coumarin cinnamon ingestion.
• Provide symptomatic treatment for vomiting or diarrhea as prescribed by a healthcare provider or veterinarian.

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameCinnamomum verum J.Presl; Cinnamomum ceylanicum Nees

AliasesCeylon cinnamon tree、Ceylon-Zimtbaum (German)、Echter Zimtbaum (German)、Cannelier (French)、Cannelier de Ceylan (French)、Cannella (Italian)、Cinnamomo (Italian)

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

LiverGastrointestinal tract

Mechanism of Action

• High levels of coumarin from non-Ceylon cinnamon varieties are metabolized in the liver, leading to oxidative stress and liver cell damage with chronic or very high acute intake.

• Coumarin is classified as a possible human carcinogen at very high, long-term exposure levels.

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Livestock (cattle, sheep, goats): Cinnamon is not suitable for use as a feed additive; regular consumption of high-coumarin cinnamon may cause liver damage and reduced productivity.

Small companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters): Small accidental ingestion is low risk, but chronic exposure to high-coumarin cinnamon may cause long-term liver injury.

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Rose grape Medinilla magnifica

Sometimes confused with young cinnamon plants due to similar glossy, oval leaf shape; key difference is that Medinilla magnifica produces showy pink flower clusters, which cinnamon plants do not bear, and is also non-toxic.

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Related Toxic Plants

Avocado

Persea americana

Moderate (leaves, bark, and pit are toxic to many domestic animals, causing heart and respiratory damage)

Bay laurel

Laurus nobilis

Low (whole leaves cause mild gastrointestinal irritation if ingested in large quantities by humans or animals)

Sassafras

Sassafras albidum

Moderate (contains carcinogenic safrole, causes liver damage with high or chronic intake in humans and animals)

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.