Origin. - There are two official varieties of cinnamon: 1, the inner bark of the shoots of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Breyne, a tree about 30 feet high (9 M.), found in the forests of Ceylon (Ceylon cinnamon); 2, the bark of an undetermined species of Cinnamomum known as Cinnamomum saigonicum (Saigon cinnamon, Saigon cassia), from Saigon, the capital of French Cochin-China, where it is collected and exported.

Description and Properties. - Most of the article brought to the United States is the cassia cinnamon. The varieties differ somewhat in appearance, and are found in the shops as quills of varying lengths, about 1/25 inch (1 Mm.) or more in thickness, yellowish-brown in color, externally rough (Cassia), of fragrant odor, a sweet, aromatic taste, but less delicate than that of Ceylon cinnamon, which appears in large, closely rolled quills, composed of eight or more layers of bark of the thickness of paper; pale yellowish-brown, the outer surface smooth, marked with wavy lines of bast-bundles; of a very sweet, fragrant odor and a warm, aromatic, delicate taste. The Saigon cinnamon is found in the shops as large quills or broken pieces, 1/12 to 1/8 inch (2 to 3 Mm.) thick; the outer surface gray or light grayish-brown, with whitish patches, more or less rough and warty, transversely ridged and longitudinally wrinkled; the inner surface cinnamon or dark brown, granular, and slightly striate, with short and granular fracture. It has a fragrant odor, and a sweet, warmly aromatic, and somewhat astringent taste.

Constituents. - All the varieties contain volatile oil, tannin, mucilage, sugar, starch, a coloring principle, and a peculiar acid.

The official oil of cinnamon is distilled from cassia cinnamon.

Dose. - 5-30 grains (0.3-2.0 Gm.).

Official Preparations

Tinctura Cardamomi Composita - Tincturae Cardamomi Compositae -Compound Tincture of Cardamom. - Cardamom, 25; Saigon cinnamon, 25; caraway, 12; cochineal, 5; glycerin, 50; diluted alcohol, q. s. ad 1000 parts. Dose, 1-2 fluidrams (4.0-8.0 Cc.) [1 dram (4 Cc), U. S. P.].

Tinctura Gambir Composita - Tincturae Gambiris Compositae - Compound Tincture of Gambir. - Gambir, 50; Saigon cinnamon, 25; diluted alcohol, q. s. ad 1000 parts. Dose, 1/2-2 fluidrams (2.0-8.0 Cc.) [1 dram (4 Cc), U. S. P.].

Tinctura Lavandulae Composita - Tincturae Lavandulae Compotsitae - Compound Tincture of Lavender. - Dose, 1/4-1 fluidram (2.0-4.0 Cc). (Formula given under Lavender.)

Tinctura Cinnamomi (20 per cent.) - Tincturae Cinnamomi - Tincture of Cinnamon. - Dose, 1/2-2 fluidrams (2.0-8.0 Cc.) [30 minims (2 Cc), U. S. P.].

Pulvis Aromaticus - Pulveris Aromatici - Aromatic Powder. - Dose, 10-30 grains (0.6-2.0 Gm.). (Formula given under Cardamomum.)