CINNAMON ALLERGY
Key Allergens
Cinnamon is a food in the Lauraceae family of plants. Avocado and bay leaves are also in this family of plants.
Cinnamon is a spice made by grounding the inner bark of the Cinnamomum trees.
No allergenic proteins have been identified in cinnamon, it is usually associated with allergic contact dermatitis due to the high concentration of essential oils it contains. Cinnamonn contains eugenol which is a chemical compound which can also cause contact allergies - this is what gives the food flavour and fragrance. These contact reactions are sometimes mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.
Cinnamon is a spice made by grounding the inner bark of the Cinnamomum trees.
No allergenic proteins have been identified in cinnamon, it is usually associated with allergic contact dermatitis due to the high concentration of essential oils it contains. Cinnamonn contains eugenol which is a chemical compound which can also cause contact allergies - this is what gives the food flavour and fragrance. These contact reactions are sometimes mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.
Food Intolerances
Cinnamon is a food high in salicylates. Salicylates have the potential to cause worsening of asthma, swelling, itching and hives as well as food intolerance symptoms in people who are sensitive to salicylates.
You can read more about Food Intolerances on the dedicated Food Intolerance Page.
Associated Syndromes
Cinnamon is strongly linked to allergic contact dermatitis due to eugenol and other essential oils.
Cross Reactivity
People suffering from contact dermatitis from cinnamon essential oils sometimes also have contact reactions from Balsam of Peru, cocoa leaves and Tolu balsam which can be common ingredients in cosmetics.
Other plants which contain eugenol include allspice, bay leaf, basil, clove, turmeric, marjoram, mace, nutmeg, pepper, ginger, oregano and thyme.
You can read more about cinnamon and related herbs and spices on the Herb and Spice Page. These food lists are not exhaustive, the most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivity Tool.
Other plants which contain eugenol include allspice, bay leaf, basil, clove, turmeric, marjoram, mace, nutmeg, pepper, ginger, oregano and thyme.
You can read more about cinnamon and related herbs and spices on the Herb and Spice Page. These food lists are not exhaustive, the most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivity Tool.
Resources
Websites
Allergen Enclyclopedia - Cinnamon Allergy
DermNet NZ - Allergy to Cinnamate
Science Direct - Cinnamon Extract
Histamine Food Intolerance List
ATP Science - Salicylate Foods
Articles and Journals
Gingival hypersensitivity reactions to toothpastes: A case series and scoping review, 2024
Cinnamon allergic contact cheilitis, 2023
Biological Properties and Prospects for the Application of Eugenol — A Review, 2021
Eugenol allergy mimicking burning mouth syndrome, 2019
Cinnamon: A systematic review of adverse events, 2019
Contact Allergy to Cinnamon: Case Report, 2008
Contact allergy to spices, 1990
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