Photo: VASANTH S.N. / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Twak त्वक्
Cinnamomum verum · Lauraceae
Also known as: Cinnamon, Dalchini, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cinnamon Bark
Part used: Bark
Twak (Cinnamomum verum) is true cinnamon, the inner bark of a Sri Lankan tree and one of the four Chaturjata aromatics. It is warming and digestive, used for poor appetite, cough, nausea and blood sugar, and is distinct from cassia — the thicker, cheaper bark sold as cinnamon in most markets.
| Rasa (taste) | Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent) |
|---|---|
| Guna (qualities) | Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry) |
| Virya (potency) | Ushna (Hot) |
| Vipaka | Katu (Pungent) |
| Dosha | Balances Kapha & Vata |
| Prabhava | Classical systemic action |
Key takeaways
- Botanical name: Cinnamomum verum
- Part used: Bark
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Bark powder 0.5–2 g; a common part of digestive and respiratory formulas (Trijataka, Sitopaladi).
Twak in other languages
Introduction
Twak (cinnamon, Cinnamomum verum), or Dalchini, is a warming, sweet-pungent bark used for digestion, circulation and the respiratory tract. A beloved kitchen spice, it is also a classical Kapha-clearing dravya.
Classification
Of the Lauraceae family, Twak is grouped among the Deepana and aromatic Kapha-Vata-pacifying dravyas. Its warming, penetrating quality kindles digestion and clears Kapha.
Uses & benefits
Cinnamon is a warming aromatic used for poor appetite, bloating and cold congestion, and to improve circulation where the extremities are cold. One of the Trijataka group, it is added to heavy formulations for palatability and to support their digestion.
Twak for digestion
A Deepana and Pachana drug used for poor appetite, bloating and nausea.
Twak for blood sugar
Named among the Pramehahara drugs, and the cinnamon family has meaningful modern research on glucose control.
Twak for cough
Warming and aromatic, used in Kapha cough with congestion, taken with honey.
Twak in Chaturjata
One of the four aromatics with cardamom, Tejpatta and Nagkesar, added for taste and absorption.
Twak for bad breath
Used in mouth fresheners and oral preparations for its aroma and antimicrobial action.
Twak for nausea
A classical anti-emetic used alongside cardamom and ginger.
Twak for heart
Described as Hridya and present in some cardiac formulations.
Twak for urinary complaints
Used in burning urination within compounds such as Chandraprabha Vati.
Twak for skin
Applied in some external preparations for fungal infection and acne.
Twak in classical formulations
Present in Sitopaladi Churna, Talisadi Churna and a large share of compounds containing Chaturjata.
Dosage — how much to take
Bark powder 0.5–2 g; a common part of digestive and respiratory formulas (Trijataka, Sitopaladi). Follow your Vaidya's advice.
Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm with a qualified Vaidya.
Traditional uses — questions answered from the classical texts
Answers are drawn from the citations and properties recorded for this drug. No chapter-and-verse reference appears that the record does not carry.
Which classical texts describe Twak?
The citations held for Twak in this catalogue are: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Karpuradi Varga); Sharangdhara Samhita (Sitopaladi / Trijataka).
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Twak?
Described as Deepana and aromatic. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Karpuradi Varga.
What does the Sharangdhara Samhita record about Twak?
A classical constituent for cough and digestion. Reference: Sharangdhara Samhita — Sitopaladi / Trijataka.
What is Twak traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Cinnamon is a warming aromatic used for poor appetite, bloating and cold congestion, and to improve circulation where the extremities are cold. One of the Trijataka group, it is added to heavy formulations for palatability and to support their digestion.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Twak?
Rasa Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Guna Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Virya Ushna (Hot), Vipaka Katu (Pungent). Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata. Prabhava: Classical systemic action.
Why is Twak classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Twak carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Twak is used medicinally?
The part used is Bark.
How much Twak is taken, and how?
Bark powder 0.5–2 g; a common part of digestive and respiratory formulas (Trijataka, Sitopaladi). Follow your Vaidya's advice. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Twak be avoided?
Safe as a food spice; large therapeutic doses used moderately.
Where does Twak grow?
Cinnamon is an evergreen tree native to Sri Lanka and southern India, its inner bark harvested and dried into quills.
Classical references
- Bhavaprakash Nighantu — Karpuradi Varga
Described as Deepana and aromatic. - Sharangdhara Samhita — Sitopaladi / Trijataka
A classical constituent for cough and digestion.
Modern research
-
Cinnamon Use in Type 2 Diabetes: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Allen RW, et al.. Annals of Family Medicine (2013)
A meta-analysis of RCTs finding cinnamon lowered fasting glucose, total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in type 2 diabetes.
View study doi:10.1370/afm.1517 -
Cinnamon in glycaemic control: Systematic review and meta-analysis
(see source). Clinical Nutrition (2012)
A systematic review and meta-analysis assessing cinnamon's effect on glycaemic control in diabetes.
View study doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2012.04.003
Safety & precautions
Safe as a food spice; large therapeutic doses used moderately.
Where it grows
Cinnamon is an evergreen tree native to Sri Lanka and southern India, its inner bark harvested and dried into quills.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Ceylon cinnamon and cassia?
Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is thin, papery, layered and mild — the true cinnamon of the classical texts. Cassia is thicker, harder, single-curled and stronger, and is what most supermarkets sell as cinnamon. Cassia is much higher in coumarin.
Why does coumarin matter?
Cassia contains substantially more coumarin, which is toxic to the liver in quantity. If you take cinnamon daily for blood sugar, use Ceylon cinnamon — the daily tolerable intake of cassia is small, and easily exceeded by a heaped teaspoon.
What is the dose of Twak?
Bark powder 1–3 g per day. It is more often used as an adjuvant within compounds than taken alone at a therapeutic dose. Culinary quantities of Ceylon cinnamon need no limit.
Does cinnamon help diabetes?
There is reasonable modern research on modest blood sugar improvement, and it is named among the classical Pramehahara drugs. Treat it as supportive — keep monitoring, tell your physician, and use Ceylon rather than cassia for daily use.
What is Twak called in Hindi?
Dalchini. In English it is true cinnamon or Ceylon cinnamon. Note that Dalchini in the market often means cassia, so check the botanical name if you want Cinnamomum verum specifically.
Are there side effects of cinnamon?
Ceylon cinnamon at normal doses is very safe. Cassia taken daily in quantity risks liver injury from coumarin. Take advice if you are on diabetes medication or blood thinners, and stop before surgery.
What is Chaturjata?
Four aromatics used together — cardamom, cinnamon bark, Tejpatta and Nagkesar — added to classical formulations to improve taste, absorption and Kapha-clearing action.
