{"id":2820,"date":"2017-04-28T21:53:26","date_gmt":"2017-04-28T21:53:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/essentialoilsanctuary.com\/?p=2820"},"modified":"2018-09-19T20:51:41","modified_gmt":"2018-09-19T20:51:41","slug":"10-cinnamon-essential-oil-benefits-uses-plus-9-recipes-tips-faq","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentialoilsanctuary.com\/10-cinnamon-essential-oil-benefits-uses-plus-9-recipes-tips-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Cinnamon Essential Oil Benefits & Uses (Plus 9 Recipes, Tips & FAQ)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Cinnamon is a familiar spice in most kitchens, but can also be made into essential oil that’s useful in multiple ways for health and beauty. Let’s learn about cinnamon and how it came to be one of the most highly traded items in the Ancient World.<\/p>\n

Origins and History of Cinnamon Essential Oil<\/h1>\n

Cinnamon is one of the world\u2019s oldest spices. It hails originally from Southeast Asia, particularly from Sri Lanka and India, and was brought to the West by the Arabs who initially controlled the trade of spices. The spice market was so profitable that Christopher Columbus was actually looking for the Spice Islands of what is today Indonesia when he discovered the Americas. Explorers from Portugal had more luck in the 16th Century, developing trade routes with Sri Lanka. The Dutch then began to compete with the Portuguese and even developed cinnamon plantations for the production of this fragrant product.<\/p>\n

Cinnamon is still grown on plantations today, which takes environmental pressure off wild cinnamon trees, or the Cinnamomum zeylanicum<\/i> species. These tall evergreens produce highly aromatic bark and leaves, both of which can be made by steam distillation into essential oil, although the best essential oil comes from the bark, hence the common alternative name \u201ccinnamon bark oil.\u201d The cinnamon bark scrolls that are used in food looked like cannon to the Italians, who therefore called cinnamon canela<\/i>, which became kaneel<\/i> to the Dutch and cannelle<\/i> to the French.<\/p>\n

Mexico leads the world today in cinnamon consumption for food, where it is also known in Spanish as canela<\/i>. While cinnamon production is still big business in East Asia, a great deal of cinnamon comes from Madagascar and the Seychelles off the east African coast. A similar plant, known as cassia, is grown primarily in China and used in cuisine and alternative medicine.<\/p>\n

The health benefits of cinnamon spice and cinnamon essential oil have been known for millennia. In addition to using cinnamon essential oil for embalming, the Ancient Egyptians enjoyed it in bath oils, perfumes, and incense. Cinnamon is mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible as well as in ancient Indian Ayurvedic medicine texts. Powdered cinnamon has long been a food preservative and a prime ingredient in both chai tea and curry powder for its flavor and health advantages, and cinnamon essential oil has been used to ward off germs, boost digestion, and ease pain.<\/p>\n

10\u00a0Uses for Cinnamon Essential Oil<\/h1>\n

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Pain Reliever and Anti-inflammatory<\/h2>\n

Cinnamon essential oil is great for relieving both muscle and joint pain, and it should be a go-to oil for you if you have arthritis or muscle pain from overuse. Use cinnamon essential oil in spot treatments or in massage oils, and let its natural anti-inflammatory properties soothe aches and reduce pain.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/span>22 EOs for Inflammation<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Oral Hygiene<\/h2>\n

Many natural mouthwashes available today use cinnamon as a key ingredient. Not only will cinnamon essential oil freshen your breath, its natural antimicrobial properties (see below) help fight infections in the mouth and throat. You can add a drop or two of cinnamon essential oil to water before gargling or even use it with water and hydrogen peroxide to cleanse dentures.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/span>Healthy Gums with Essential Oils<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Antimicrobial<\/h2>\n

It might surprise you to learn that cinnamon essential oil has natural antimicrobial properties that allow it to fight bacteria and viruses. Traditional Ayurvedic medicine from India has used cinnamon essential oil for centuries to help wounds heal faster and to keep germs at bay. You can add a drop or two of cinnamon essential oil to dressings when treating minor cuts and scrapes, in place of commercial antibiotic ointments. Numerous clinical studies show that saving antibiotics for when they are really needed helps fight antibiotic resistance that renders medicines less effective for more serious infections.<\/p>\n

Antifungal<\/h2>\n

Cinnamon essential oil isn\u2019t just effective at combatting bacteria and viruses; it also fights fungi that cause infections. In addition to using cinnamon essential oil around the house when cleaning, try it in foot soaks or in your shampoo–two places where antifungal activity is most needed.<\/p>\n

Acne Treatment<\/h2>\n

It is well known now that bacteria are at the root of acne breakouts. Fight unsightly blemishes on your skin by using cinnamon essential oil, with its natural antimicrobial elements, in your facial wash or toner. You can also add cinnamon essential oil to body washes to combat acne all over.<\/p>\n

Related:\u00a022 Essential Oils for Acne Treatment<\/a><\/p>\n

Insect Repellent<\/h2>\n

Cinnamon essential oil is a natural deterrent to insects. Use it in candles and diffusers to keep flies and mosquitoes away, or add it to linen sprays, so your sheets and blankets repel bugs too. Don\u2019t forget to treat those pet beds, which can harbor pests as well!<\/p>\n

Related:\u00a07 Essential Oils for Bee Stings, Bug Bites & More<\/a><\/p>\n

Stimulant for Circulation<\/h2>\n

If you have poor circulation, cinnamon essential oil is a must-have for you. You can use it in rubs and in the bath to improve blood flow, which affects your entire body from head to toe. Your fingers and toes will be warmer, and you can even stimulate sluggish menstruation with cinnamon essential oil.<\/p>\n

Digestive Aid<\/h2>\n

Another centuries old use for cinnamon essential oil is as a digestive aid. Cinnamon essential oil can relieve indigestion, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as flatulence because it is a carminative. Cinnamon essential oil also helps fight excess stomach acidity, which can cause heartburn and damage to the esophagus.<\/p>\n

Diabetes Stabilizer<\/h2>\n

New medical trials have demonstrated that cinnamon helps people with Type 2 diabetes stabilize their blood sugar. This results in less insulin needed and fewer ups and downs in mood and energy level. While you should not replace any prescription diabetes medications with cinnamon essential oil, you can use it to supplement your existing regimen.<\/p>\n

Aphrodisiac<\/h2>\n

Another ancient use for cinnamon essential oil is as an aphrodisiac. A little cinnamon essential oil in your massage oil or diffuser, and you\u2019ll create a romantic environment in no time.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/span>14 Aphrodisiac EOs for Romance, Sex & Libido<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

9 Health and Wellness Recipes for Cinnamon Essential Oil<\/h1>\n

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Diffuser Blends<\/h2>\n

Try these essential oil combinations in your diffuser:<\/p>\n

Hot Mulled Cider<\/h3>\n