Dalchini Powder – The Ayurvedic Wonder Herb

Dārusitā (दारुसिता) – Dalchini

Botanical Name: Cinnamomum verum Presl.
Synonym: Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume
Family: Lauraceae
English Name: True Cinnamon / Ceylon Cinnamon

1. Synonyms (पर्याय / Etymological Derivations)

In Ayurvedic Nighantus, Dārusitā, Tvakswādvī, and Tanutvak are synonymous terms referring to the aromatic bark of Cinnamomum verum.

• Tvakswādvī (त्वक्स्वाद्वी): Literally “sweet bark” (Swādvī Tvak), denoting the pleasant sweet taste of the bark.
• Tanutvak (तनुत्वक्): Derived from “Tanu cha asau Tvak cha,” referring to thin, delicate bark of superior quality.
• Dārusitā (दारुसिता): From “Sita madhurā dāru,” meaning bark (dāru) having sweetness (sita = sugar-like sweet taste).

Thus, Dārusitā is considered the finest variety of cinnamon possessing thin bark, pleasant fragrance, and sweet–pungent flavor.

Classical Description:

“Tvaksvādvī tu tanutvak syāt tathā dārusitā matā ।
Uktā dārusitā svādvī tikta chānila-pitta-hṛt ॥”
— Bhāvaprakāśa Nighaṇṭu

This verse states that Dārusitā is sweet and slightly bitter in taste, alleviates Vāta and Pitta doṣas, is fragrant, aphrodisiac (śukralā), strengthens the body (balyā), and relieves thirst and dryness of mouth.

2. Regional Names (प्रादेशिक नामावली)

• Hindi: Dālacinī, Dārchinī
• Bengali: Dārućinī
• Gujarati: Taja
• Marathi: Dālacinī
• Telugu / Malayalam: Lavangapattai
• English: Ceylon Cinnamon, True Cinnamon

3. Botanical Description (वनस्पति विवरण)

Cinnamomum verum Presl. is an evergreen, moderate-sized tree attaining a height up to 10–16 meters, native to Sri Lanka and cultivated in South India, especially Kerala and Tamil Nadu, for its aromatic bark and leaves.

• Bark: Smooth, light pinkish-brown, thin, highly aromatic with a pleasant smell and spicy-sweet taste.
• Leaves: Opposite or sub-opposite, thick (coriaceous), oval to lanceolate, 10–18 cm long, shining on the upper surface.
• Flowers: Small, yellowish-green, arranged in axillary panicles.
• Fruits: Ellipsoid to oblong, dark purple drupes about 12–13 mm long.

The bark is the chief commercial and medicinal part, obtained by peeling and drying the young branches.

4. Chemical Constituents (रासायनिक संघटन एवं उपयोग)

The bark and essential oils of Dalchini contain a rich composition of volatile oils, aldehydes, phenols, and flavonoids responsible for its aroma and therapeutic effects.

Major constituents include:

• Volatile Oils: Cinnamaldehyde, Eugenol, Benzaldehyde, Cinnamyl alcohol, Cinnzeylanin, Cinnzeylanol.
• Terpenes and Alcohols: Pinene, Phellandrene, Cymene, Linalool, Geraniol, Borneol, α-terpineol.
• Flavonoids and Polyphenols: Epicatechin, Proanthocyanidins, Arabinoxylan.
• Minor Compounds: Methyl eugenol, Safrole, Cumic aldehyde, Dipentenoids.

Cinnamon Bark Oil:

• Derived from the bark; commercially valuable for its carminative, stimulant, and antiseptic properties.
• Demonstrates potent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity — effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, and Candida albicans.
• In high dilutions, cinnamon oil shows greater antimicrobial activity than standard antibiotics such as penicillin, streptomycin, and tetracycline.

Cinnamon Leaf Oil:

• Obtained by distillation of leaves; contains eugenol as its principal component (distinct from bark oil where cinnamaldehyde predominates).
• Used in flavouring, perfumery, and pharmaceutical industries, and as liniment for rheumatism, headache, and toothache.
• Also exhibits anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Root Bark Oil:

• Yields a camphoraceous essential oil used in commercial preparations.

5. Properties and Therapeutic Uses (गुण, कर्म एवं औषधीय उपयोग)

Rasa (Taste): Madhura (Sweet), Tikta (Bitter), Kaṭu (Pungent)
Guna (Qualities): Laghu (Light), Tikshṇa (Sharp), Snigdha (Oily)
Virya (Potency): Uṣṇa (Hot)
Vipāka: Kaṭu (Pungent)
Doṣaghnata: Pacifies Vāta and Kapha doṣas

General Properties:
Cinnamon is aromatic, hot, carminative, digestive, stimulant, astringent, and mild analgesic. It promotes appetite, enhances digestion, improves circulation, and relieves coldness and stiffness.

Classical Actions (Karma):

• Dīpanīya (Digestive stimulant)
• Kaphavātahara (Pacifies Vāta-Kapha)
• Śūlahara (Relieves abdominal pain)
• Śothahara (Anti-inflammatory)
• Hṛdya (Cardiotonic)
• Krimighna (Anthelmintic)
• Raktashodhaka (Blood purifier)

Therapeutic Applications:

• Digestive Disorders: Stimulates secretion of gastric juices, aids in digestion, reduces flatulence, nausea, and abdominal cramps.
• Respiratory Ailments: Cinnamon oil (1–3 drops) given with sugar relieves cough, cold, and sinus congestion.
• Diarrhoea and Dysentery: Decoction of bark used to treat chronic diarrhoea, dysentery, and flatulence.
• Gynaecological Uses: Combined with Aśoka bark in menorrhagia; increases uterine tone and regulates menstrual flow.
• Antimicrobial Action: Oil used topically on tubercular ulcers, wounds, and fungal infections.
• Circulatory and Nervous Disorders: Acts as a stimulant and mild nervine tonic; used in paralysis of tongue and fainting (syncope).
• Toothache: A drop of cinnamon oil placed in dental cavities helps relieve pain and acts as antiseptic.
• Aromatic Uses: Used as flavouring in foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals; as inhalant in cold and sinusitis.

6. Dose (मात्रा)

• Powder (Churna): 0.25 – 1 gram, once or twice daily with honey or warm water.

Excessive consumption should be avoided as the oil in large quantities can irritate the gastrointestinal tract.

Summary

Dārusitā (Dalchini) is an aromatic bark of high therapeutic value, prized in Ayurveda as a digestive stimulant, carminative, and antimicrobial herb. Its sweet–pungent aroma and uṣṇa vīrya make it invaluable in disorders of Vāta and Kapha, promoting warmth, appetite, and vitality. Modern studies support its antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties, making it both a traditional and contemporary healing spice