Cinnamon Essential Oil

Cinnamon is one of the most popular spices in the world. It comes from the bark of the cinnamon tree which is often used in traditional medicine. Cinnamon tree is a small evergreen tree 33 – 50 feet (10 – 15 meters) tall. It is native to Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma) and Malabar Coast of India.

Cinnamon has been used for thousands of years. Its use dates back to Egyptians and it is also a great therapeutic ingredient in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. It is said that Arab traders brought it to Europe, where it became very popular. In Ancient Egypt, cinnamon was a very valued ingredient, similar to what saffron is today.

Cinnamon spice is mostly used in cooking as a condiment and flavoring ingredient, in alcoholic beverages and cocktails, sweets and candies.

Cinnamon oil is stronger and more nutritious than the dried spice and contains compounds that are not found in the dried spice. There are 2 types of cinnamon oil: one extracted from the bark and one extracted from the leaves, different in scent and properties.

1. Potential benefits:

  • Anti-inflammatory properties;
  • Antioxidant and antimicrobial;
  • Stimulates the immune system;
  • Aphrodisiac and libido stimulator;
  • Relieves depression.

    My kind of Zen - Cinnamon Essential Oil Benefits


2. How to use cinnamon essential oil

Cinnamon’s warm and woody aroma blends well with other spiced (clove, nutmeg, ginger, sandalwood) and citrus aromas (orange, lemon, mandarin, lime), mints (peppermint, eucalyptus) and other flavored oils: frankincense, vanilla, jasmine.

Diffusing:

Cinnamon has a spicy uplifting smell, so it can be a great choice to diffuse it in your house alone or in blends including citrus (orange, bergamot, lemon, grapefruit) or other spicy oils (ginger, nutmeg, peppermint).

Blends to try:

  • Smells like baked apples: 2 drops Cinnamon Essential Oil, 2 drops Orange and 2 drops Clove Essential Oil;
  • Morning uplift: 2 Cinnamon, 1 Eucalyptus, 2 Lemon and 1 Peppermint Essential Oils.
DIY beauty products:

Topically – mix Cinnamon Essential Oil with a Carrier Oil such as Coconut, Jojoba, Almond or Grape Seed.

Body scrub with Cinnamon Essential Oil:

  • 1 cup of sugar;
  • 1/2 cup (4 oz or 120 ml) of Carrier Oil (you can use Olive, Coconut, Grape Seed, Almond);
  • 40 drops of Cinnamon Essential Oil;
  • 3 drops purple food coloring (optional).

Put the mix in a jar, keep it in the fridge and use for 3-6 months.

3. Safety and precautions

Besides considering the general safety precautions applicable for all Essential Oils (click here), you should take the following concerns with Cinnamon Essential Oil in particular:

  • Use Cinnamon Essential Oil in very low dilution (1%) and always have a patch on your skin first;
  • Do not swallow Cinnamon Essential Oil;
  • Because it can stimulate menstruation, Cinnamon Essential Oil is generally avoided during pregnancy.
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