Indian Cassia

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Indian cassia (Cinnamomum tamala), also called tejpat or Indian bay leaf, is the leaf of a tree in the cinnamon family. It is widely used in South Asian cooking and Ayurvedic medicine for digestion and metabolic support.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Blood sugar support

Mixed Evidence

Preclinical studies suggest glucose-lowering activity, but rigorous human clinical trials specific to Indian cassia are minimal.

How it works

The leaves contain cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and linalool, plus polyphenols. Preclinical research suggests these compounds influence carbohydrate metabolism and have antioxidant activity, but human evidence is limited. It is often included in metabolic-support blends, marketed for blood sugar effects similar to true cinnamon, though chemistry and likely effects differ from Cinnamomum verum.

Dosage

There is no standardized dose. Traditional culinary intake is small. Extract supplements vary widely with no agreed therapeutic dose.

When and how to take it

If used for metabolic support, take with meals.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Dried leaf or leaf extract

Available as whole bay-style leaves or as powdered extract in Ayurvedic blends.

Essential oil components are well absorbed.

Safety

Considered safe at culinary amounts. Concentrated extracts may carry similar concerns to other cinnamon species, including coumarin content (though cassia coumarin levels in C. tamala are less well characterized than in C. cassia).

Who should be cautious

Avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy due to lack of safety data. People with liver disease should avoid prolonged high-dose extracts due to potential coumarin exposure.

Interactions

Theoretically may potentiate blood-sugar-lowering medications and anticoagulants if used at high concentrated doses. Clinical evidence is sparse.

Food sources

Tejpat leaf (culinary)

Amount
1 leaf
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Is Indian cassia the same as cinnamon?⌄

It is in the same genus but is a different species used as a leaf rather than bark. The chemistry differs from true cinnamon and cassia bark.

Does Indian cassia lower blood sugar?⌄

Animal studies are suggestive, but human evidence is limited. Do not rely on it for diabetes management.

References

Indian Cassia on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Indian Cassia on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Indian Cassia (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.