Can You Take Cinnamon With a Blood Thinner?

Revered for its medicinal properties by the ancient Egyptians, cinnamon is a savory spice found in the bark of Cinnamomum trees. Although it is a widely used spice, you may need to moderate your consumption if you are taking a blood thinner, as cinnamon contains coumarin, a compound that could increase your risk of bleeding, according to Florida State University. Talk with your doctor or nutritionist if you are taking an anticoagulant to determine how much, if any, cinnamon you can consume safely.

Blood Thinners

Blood thinners, often called anticoagulants, decrease the blood’s ability to clot. Clots can obstruct blood vessels, leading to heart attack and stroke. Typically, physicians prescribe blood thinners to those who have atrial fibrillation and other heart and blood vessel diseases, according to MedlinePlus.

Coumarin in Cinnamon

The coumarin in cinnamon is a natural anticoagulant that makes consuming too much cinnamon risky if you’re taking a blood-thinning medication. In fact, the most commonly used anticoagulant drug, warfarin, is a coumarin derivative, according to a study published in 2022.  While cassia cinnamon has coumarin, another variety, Ceylon cinnamon, has none, according to research done in 2021. However, cinnamon product labels may not always specify which variety they contain.

Considerations

According to research performed in 2020, coumarin is also present in other foods, such as the peels of some citrus fruits. If you are on blood thinners, ask your doctor if there are any foods you should avoid.