BACKGROUND:Analgesic and wound-healing effects of cinnamon, a widely used spice, have been shown in laboratory rats. However, we found no human studies in this area. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of cinnamon on perineal pain and healing of episiotomy incision. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS:In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 144 postpartum women were allocated into two groups, using stratiifed block randomization, 1 h after completion of episiotomy repair. They received cinnamon or placebo ointment, 2 mL every 12 h for 10 d. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Perineal pain and wound healing were assessed using visual analogue scale (0-10) and Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation scale (0-15), respectively. General linear model was used to compare the groups on the outcomes adjusted for baseline values and stratiifed factors. RESULTS:Follow-up ratewas 100% up to the 8 h time point in both groups, and 86% (62 of 72) in the cinnamon group and 85% (61 of 72) in the placebo group at day 10-11 after delivery.Pain score in the cinnamon group was signiifcantly lower than that in the placebo group at (4±1) h (adjusted difference:-0.6, 95% conifdence interval:-1.0 to-0.2) and (8±1) h (-0.9,-1.4 to-0.3) after intervention, and on the 10-11th day after delivery (-1.4,-2.0 to-0.7). Also the cinnamon group showed signiifcantly more improvement than the control group in healing score at (8±1) h (-0.2,-0.4 to-0.04) and the 10-11th day after delivery (-1.6,-2.0 to-1.1). CONCLUSION:Cinnamon can be used for reducing perineal pain and improving healing of episiotomy incision.