Cinnamon Essential Oil Uses: Benefits, Tips & Safe Applications
Cinnamon essential oil is one of the most potent, versatile oils with centuries of positive health benefits and uses.
This essential oil is extracted from rhizomes in the bark or leaves of the cinnamon tree, and it is a rich, spicy aroma and has a wide range of taherapeutic properties.
The topic of this article is to examine the many varieties of uses of cinnamon essential oil, health benefits of it, how to put it to use, side effects and so on.
Cinnamon Essential Oil: What Is It and How Is It Made?
Cinnamon oil is extracted from the leaves or bark of the cinnamon tree, author Cinnamomum cassia or Cinnamomum verum.
Then, the oil is usually extracted from the plant material by steam distillation, where steam is pumped through the plant material, vaporizing off the oil and condensing it back into liquid form.
Cinnamon essential oil is available in most health food stores, and there are also infused cinnamon oils available, simply by steeping cinnamon sticks in olive or coconut oil.
All of these give the oil a warming, spicy scent containing various compounds, cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and linalool, which give it numerous therapeutic benefits.
However, as already noted, cinnamon essential oil derived from Cinnamomum cassia, often called Cassia, is far more powerful and spicy than that from Cinnamomum verum (true cinnamon).
Cinnamon Essential Oil: Top Benefits
Topically and through aromatherapy, cinnamon essential oil has a wealth of health benefits.
Other than its amazing flavor and surprising body temperature-adjusting powers, cinnamon oil is also widely famous for one of its most renowned benefits—its anti-inflammatory properties.
Cinnamon essential oil can help reduce body inflammation and, therefore, plays an important role in conditions like arthritis, muscle soreness, or even joint pain (1).
Cinnamon oil also contains antioxidants that help protect against oxidative stress and free radical damage, as well as help prevent the spread of disease (2).
Antioxidants are important in the fight against premature aging and recovery from illness and in promoting overall good health.
Cinnamon essential oil is also known for its antimicrobial properties; it can destroy harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
For instance, cinnamon oil has been found to inhibit Candida, a yeast-like fungus that can cause infection in all members of its species (3).
Raising circulation also helps alleviate cold extremities and improves energy levels as a result of cinnamon oil (4).
Daily Life of Cinnamon Essential Oil Common Uses
Cinnamon essential oil is very versatile and has lots of uses in daily life.
As a skincare product, it is commonly used to reduce acne, treat blemishes, and improve skin texture.
Along with possessing antimicrobial properties, cinnamon oil can battle bacteria on the skin, making it a welcome addition to acne-fighting serums and spot treatments.
Cinnamon oil can be diluted in a carrier oil such as jojoba or coconut oil and then massaged onto the skin to help give you a glowing, healthy complexion.
Cinnamon essential oil can also be used in hair care.
The oil is famous for its effectiveness in stimulating circulation and encouraging blood flow carried to hair follicles (5).
It would help encourage hair growth, prevent dandruff, and nourish the scalp.
You can add some cinnamon oil to your normal shampoo or diluted with a carrier oil and massage right to the scalp.
Now to aromatherapy, cinnamon essential oil is a very potent tool in making a cozy ambience that will give you an inviting and soothing ambiance.
As a diffuser note, its warm, spicy scent is often used to help promote relaxation, enhance focus, and reduce stress.
For that reason, cinnamon oil is used when we need to lift the mood and inspire energy, which makes it a perfect morning pick-me-up or a perfect source to get you through your studying.
Pain relief can also be derived from cinnamon oil.
In a diluted (diluted with carrier oil) form, it can be massaged into sore muscles, there are sore areas, or joints to relieve pain and inflammation.
The property it warms serves as comfort and relaxation, for instance more so for cold weather or after a tough workout.
Also, cinnamon essential oil is considered to help support digestive health.
However, using cinnamon oil only occasionally can certainly relieve digestive problems like bloating and indigestion.
You can also add it to a warm beverage or rub it onto the abdomen to help soothe.
The Essential Oil of Cinnamon: How to use it safely
The health benefits of cinnamon essential oil are numerous, but they have to be used safely, as many can lead to skin irritation.
Cinnamon oil is very concentrated, so it must never be applied directly to the skin; it must be diluted.
It is always a good idea to lessen the chance of skin irritation by diluting cinnamon essential oil with a carrier oil, including coconut oil, jojoba oil and almond oil.
Work your way up with one drop of cinnamon oil and four drops of carrier oil, adding more or less as you need to.
Cinnamon essential oil should be applied safely to a large area of your body before use.
Try spreading a little bit of the diluted mixture onto the inside of your wrist or elbow and checking to see if the area becomes irritated after 24 hours.
Wash off the oil if you have any redness, burning, or itching, and discontinue use.
As with all of the essential oils, using the safe dosage guidelines is important.
Cinnamon oil is quite potent and should be used internally for your own use only (tea or capsule, for example).
However, it is best for children, the elderly, and pregnant women to speak with a doctor before using cinnamon essential oil.
Side Effects & Interactions of Cinnamon Essential Oil
There are many benefits to cinnamon oil but it’s not going to be right for everybody and can have side effects if used incorrectly.
Cinnamon oil may cause irritation or burns in sensitive skin places for some people.
Always dilute cinnamon oil and test it first on a little part of your skin to prevent such reactions.
Direct breathing of cinnamon oil (or breathing of the oil in great amounts) can also lead to respiratory problems, especially in asthma patients or people with other problems with breathing.
This is the reason for which it’s recommended to use only cinnamon oil in a diffuser or to blend it with other essential oils to dilute it.
Not only can cinnamon essential oil cause skin or respiratory sensitivity, it can interact with specific medications as well.
An example is that it might compromise anticoagulants (blood thinners) because it can increase blood circulation.
Before you use cinnamon essential oil, it is important to consult your healthcare professional if you are on any medication, and it is important to notice the following potential side effects.
Can Cinnamon Essential Oil Be Used with Other Essential Oils?
Cinnamon is very well suited to blending with many other essential oils, and the pairing brings out the best in both therapeutic and aromatic qualities.
For example, mixing orange essential oil with cinnamon oil creates a lovely, sweet and warm smelling oil that helps create mental clarity and energy.
Cinnamon and clove oils are often paired together for their warming properties, and they’re a great combo for winter months.
A soothing, calming blend enhancing relaxation, lavender, and cinnamon essential oils combined in a single oil make a perfect blend for stress relief.
Blending essential oils is all about complementing each other.
Try different small amounts of different combinations until you find what is perfect for what you need.
Also, cinnamon oil is combined with other oils to make them suitable for skin and hair treatments.
For instance, mixing cinnamon oil with rosemary or peppermint oil can encourage hair growth and a healthy-looking scalp.
The Step-by-Step Process of Making Your Cinnamon Oil at Home
- Purchasing pre-made cinnamon essential oil is easy, but you can also make your own version at home for an affordable and fulfilling project.
- Selecting cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon will be the start of creating a simple cinnamon-infused oil.
- Place a small jar with your carrier oil of choice, such as olive oil or grapeseed oil, and a few cinnamon sticks in a jar.
- Close the jar and store it in a warm and sunny place for 1-2 weeks.
- To release the cinnamon’s natural oils, shake the jar daily.
- After two weeks leave the mixture to strain out the cinnamon sticks to get you a cinnamon infused oil ready for use.
- If you want to learn the more complicated process of steam distillation the equipment as well as techniques used tend to be more high end and therefore, not strictly beginner friendly.
- But if you’re an enthusiast of homemade cinnamon oil, producing an infused oil is the perfect first step.
Final Thoughts
Cinnamon essential oil is a great oil with a multitude of uses in health, skin, and hair, as well as overall health.
Cinnamon oil has many benefits, and whether you use it for pain relief, to help enhance your mood, or to improve circulation, they are really useful to have.
While it is important to use cinnamon essential oil safely—by mixing with a carrier oil, doing patch tests, and using under the supervision of a medical professional if necessary.
However, following safety guidelines, you can enjoy this oil incorporated in a daily dose and reap the benefits.
The cinnamon essential oil comes with many possible uses and can either be diffused, added to your skincare routine, or blended with other oils for a custom scent that supports your well-being.
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FAQs
What exactly is cinnamon essential oil for?
Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties are what make cinnamon essential oil best known.
It is used for pain relief, digestive health, and skin and circulation improvement.
Is cinnamon essential oil safe to use on your skin?
Yes, you can put cinnamon essential oil on your skin, but you can only do it diluted in carrier oil.
You should also perform a patch test if it irritates you.
Is it safe to inhale cinnamon essential oil?
The utmost you can do is directly inhale cinnamon essential oil from the diffuser, but it must be in low concentrations as it may irritate the respiratory system.
What can I use cinnamon essential oil for hair growth?
For hair growth on using cinnamon oil, first mix with a carrier oil, then apply it on scalp.
It’s then recommended you leave it on for about 15 to 20 minutes and then wash it out with shampoo.
Can you use cinnamon essential oil for weight loss?
Cinnamon essential oil have shown to support metabolism and circulation but is considered for inclusion in a healthy diet and exercise routine for weight loss.
Do not use it for this purpose without consulting with a healthcare provider.
Related Studies
1. Title: A Promising Role of Cinnamon Towards Rheumatoid Arthritis
This review illustrates the anti-inflammatory activity of cinnamon components, highlighting their potential role in managing rheumatoid arthritis through various molecular targets.
Link: https://mmsl.cz/artkey/mms-202303-0004_a-promising-role-of-cinnamon-towards-rheumatoid-arthritis.php
2. Title: Antioxidant Activity and Characterizations of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Burmannii) Essential Oil
This research highlights the antioxidant potential of cinnamon bark essential oil, indicating its effectiveness in scavenging free radicals due to high levels of cinnamaldehyde.
Link: https://www.scitepress.org/Papers/2022/120258/120258.pdf
3. Title: Antimicrobial Effect of Cinnamon Essential Oil Against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus
This study demonstrates that cinnamon essential oil exhibits significant antimicrobial properties, especially when combined with other agents, against foodborne pathogens like E. coli and S. aureus.
Link: https://brieflands.com/articles/healthscope-20103
4. Title: Cinnamon Effects on Blood Pressure and Metabolic Profile
This pilot study found that cinnamon supplementation significantly reduced systolic blood pressure in patients with stage 1 hypertension, suggesting its role in improving circulation.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7885002/
5. Title: The Effect of Cinnamaldehyde on Hair Growth in Mice
This study investigates the stimulating effects of cinnamaldehyde, a major component of cinnamon oil, on hair growth and scalp circulation in a mouse model.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5898689/
