Canella. Canella. (Not officinal.) [Officinal in U. S. P.] The bark of Canella alba or Laurel-leaved Canella; Lin. Syst., Dodecandria monogynia: growing in the West Indies.

Description. The bark occurs in large quills or flattened pieces about an inch or so in diameter, and of varying length; externally, of a pinkish white colour; internally, very white: it breaks with a starchy fracture.

Prop. & Comp. Odour, spicy; taste, warm and bitter. It contains a resin, a little volatile oil, and bitter extractive, besides starch and mannite sugar; no tannic, gallic, or sulphuric acids are present.

Prep. In the United States Pharmacopoeia, a compound powder of aloes and canella was contained under the old name of Hiera Picra. [Pulvis Aloe et Canellae. Powder of aloes and canella. U. S. Aloes, three ounces; canella, twelve ounces.]

Therapeutics. An aromatic bitter stomachic and tonic; it may be given in cases of atonic dyspepsia.

Dose. Of the powder, 15 gr. to 30 gr. [Of the powder of aloes and canella, from 10 to 20 grs.]

Adulteration. Canella is not itself adulterated, but has been substituted for Winter's bark: for the distinguishing characters, see Winter's bark.