Our Complete Guide to Cinnamon Essential Oil: Benefits, Uses and Cautions
Spice up your life with cinnamon essential oil. This sweet and spicy oil is ready to spark joy right from its scent to its beauty and health benefits.
Content/Quick links
- What is cinnamon essential oil?
- Cinnamon essential oil - quick facts
- How is cinnamon essential oil made?
- Benefits of cinnamon essential oil
- Antimicrobial properties
- Cold relief
- Food flavoring
- Skin care and hair
- Plumping lips
- Mood enhancer
- Blood sugar improvement
- Pain relief
- How to use cinnamon essential oil
- Topical use
- Aromatherapy massage
- Bath
- Diffuser
- Cinnamon essential oil research
- Skin benefits of cinnamon essential oil - 2017, 2019, 2020
- Blood sugar regulation properties of cinnamon essential oil - 2003, 2010
- Antibacterial properties of cinnamon essential oil - 2014, 2016
- Mood boosting effects of cinnamon essential oil - 2017
- Pain relieving effects of cinnamon essential oil - 2013, 2022
- Side effects of cinnamon essential oil
- Contraindications of cinnamon essential oil
- Where to buy cinnamon essential oil
- Volant
- Amazon
- Pharmacies
- DoTERRA
- Cinnamon essential oil FAQs
- What does cinnamon essential oil mix well with?
- Is cinnamon essential oil good for anxiety?
- What bugs does cinnamon keep away?
- In summary
What is cinnamon essential oil?
Cinnamon essential oil comes from a tree that is commonly known by two botanical names: Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Cinnamomum verum – both of which refer to the same tree. The thing about cinnamon is, what you smell is what you get – in a good way.
That sweet spicy scent will make you feel like it’s the festive season whenever you use it, but because it is such a powerful oil, it is best to use it sparingly. There are a multitude of benefits that cinnamon essential oil has to offer, from using it in a beauty routine to reducing pain and supporting your health. Let’s unpack this further so that you can get the full experience and truly appreciate the benefits of cinnamon essential oil.
Cinnamon essential oil - quick facts
🤎 Latin name: Cinnamomum zeylanicum / Cinnamomum verum
🤎 Also known as: True cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon
🤎 Countries of origin: Sri Lanka, the Malabar Coast of India
🤎 Scent note: Middle
🤎 Popular uses: Aches and pains, Skin irritation
How is cinnamon essential oil made?
Cinnamon comes from the plant species named Laurus Cinnamomum. It is considered one of the longest-existing spices in history and was highly valued by Egyptians. It has also been used by Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine practitioners to treat a series of ailments whether it was in the form of an extract, liquid, tea or herb.
The oil itself comes from the leaf or the bark of the cinnamon tree. When used as an oil, it is advised to get the oil that is from the leaf rather than the bark of the tree as it is less irritating to the skin and lungs.
Through a steam distillation process, steam is passed through the plant material which is vaporized. Then it is condensed, separated and the oil can then be collected.
Benefits of cinnamon essential oil
Cinnamon essential oil has a wide range of benefits, which is why it is one of the most popular essential oils in the world.
Some of the main benefits of cinnamon oil include:
- 🤎 Antimicrobial properties
- 🤎 Cold relief
- 🤎 Food flavoring
- 🤎 Skin care and hair
- 🤎 Plumping lips
- 🤎 Mood enhancer
- 🤎 Blood sugar improvement
- 🤎 Pain relief
Let's look at each of these benefits of cinnamon oil in more detail.
Antimicrobial properties of cinnamon essential oil
The oil has been proven to be highly antibacterial and antifungal, making it a splendid oil in treating any type of fungal issues such as athlete’s foot or a nail infection.
There have been studies to show that cinnamon essential oil can fight off superbugs, so you might want to add some to your cleaning products to ward off unwanted bacteria and prevent mold and mildew.
Cold relief with cinnamon essential oil
The scent of cinnamon essential oil can help ease congestion in the nose and other cold symptoms. The aroma and the antibacterial and antiviral properties in the oil fight the infection and are helpful in opening the throat and nostrils. It may even be helpful for other respiratory issues such as asthma and bronchitis, as well as pesky headaches that can accompany colds.
Food flavoring with cinnamon essential oil
Cinnamon essential oil and food-grade cinnamon oil are basically the same thing. However, if you choose to ingest cinnamon essential oil, do so sparingly and only with a high-quality, organic, pure cinnamon oil. You will find the ingredient in common products like sugar-free gum, tea, toothpaste and commercially baked goods. Cinnamon roll anyone?
Cinnamon oil for skin and hair
Cinnamon oil for skin can be effective in soothing skin irritation and inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It can also enhance wound healing, provide antioxidants to your skin and support the growth of healthy skin.
Add some oil to your skincare routine by making a blend with a safe carrier oil or adding it to your skincare products. You can also use it for rashes, acne and foot or nail fungus.
If you are looking for a natural hair treatment, cinnamon essential oil might be your new go-to. It is said that the oil can boost healthy hair as well as promote hair growth due to its warming effect which boosts circulation. It also helps maintain a healthy scalp, reducing scalp fungus.
Cinnamon for plumping lips
Now, the fun one, fuller lips without the painful procedure. Cinnamon oil is a natural way to plump your lips because it boosts circulation in the area. It’s like an all-natural, temporary, DIY botox!
Boost your mood with cinnamon essential oil
Just the thought of cinnamon might bring a smile to your face, with its aroma reminiscent of cinnamon buns, apple cider, Christmas or whatever other traditions you might have. But cinnamon has been shown to truly boost your mood and lift your spirits. No wonder it’s part of our traditions and such a beloved food favorite!
Improve blood sugar with cinnamon essential oil
Cinnamon essential oil has been shown to help regulate blood sugar. When your sugar levels are stable, then you’re able to sleep better, fight chronic fatigue, moodiness and beat sugar cravings. It is also said that cinnamon can help with weight loss, for which cinnamon tea is recommended.
Pain relief with cinnamon essential oil
Who knew cinnamon was great for relieving pain and inflammation? If you have joint pain or inflammation, tense muscles or perhaps even a tension headache, using cinnamon essential oil might help bring some much-needed relief.
How to use cinnamon essential oil
Cinnamon essential oil can be used in a variety of ways, depending on its intended purpose.
Here are some of the most common ways to use cinnamon essential oil:
- 🤎 Topical use
- 🤎 Aromatherapy massage
- 🤎 Bath
- 🤎 Diffuser
Let’s look at each of these uses of cinnamon essential oil in more detail.
Topical use
Working out can be tough on the body. Thanks to cinnamon’s anti-inflammatory properties, use the oil blended with a safe carrier oil and massage it on the area that is sore after an exercise routine. Or if you suffer from arthritis or pain, rub some cinnamon essential oil with a carrier oil onto the sore areas for some relief.
If you want healthy, glowing skin or are looking for something natural to help with acne, try mixing 1 drop of cinnamon essential oil with a tablespoon of non-comedogenic carrier oil like jojoba oil and apply it to your acne-prone areas.
For hair care, you might want to add a few drops to your shampoo or add some to a carrier oil (almond oil or jojoba oil are good ones) and gently massage your scalp to promote blood flow and increase the strength of hair follicles.
To naturally plump your lips and boost circulation to the area, you can combine two drops of cinnamon essential oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil and use the mix as your new DIY lip plumper.
Aromatherapy massage
Three to five drops of cinnamon essential oil blended with a tablespoon of a safe carrier oil like rosehip oil makes for a great massage oil. Give yourself some me-time with some self-massage by gently massaging the oil into your skin to release tension and soothe aching muscles.
Aromatherapy massage with cinnamon essential oil is also a great way to reduce menstrual pain and excessive bleeding if you suffer from dysmenorrhea.
If you have a significant other to massage or to give you one, even better! Not only does the oil get into the skin to help relieve pain, swelling and tension but the massage itself can work out knots and tension kept in the body.
And on the PG18 side of things, cinnamon essential oil is also known as a natural aphrodisiac, likely due to its mood-boosting effects and spicy scent, so you might just get lucky or even better, get a massage too!
Bathe in cinnamon essential oil
Bathing in essential oil is as wonderful as it sounds. It’s a luxurious time away from the everyday hustle and the perfect way to loosen up any stiff or painful muscles.
Thanks to cinnamon essential oil’s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties, you can reduce your chances of bacterial or fungal infections of the skin when you add it to your bath.
If you have a fungal infection, add 3-5 drops to the bath with a tablespoon of carrier oil or make a foot bath and let your feet soak up the properties that the oil carries to fight off the fungal infection.
Diffuse cinnamon essential oil
If you’re looking for a way to boost your mood the natural way, then add 5-10 drops of cinnamon essential oil to your diffuser or a few drops to your candle burner and allow the aroma to fill the air, inhale the spicy scent, and you will be smiling in no time.
Using the oil in a diffuser or adding a few drops to a bowl of hot water and inhaling the scent can also help ease congestion in the nose and other cold symptoms.
If you really love the scent of cinnamon and are expecting guests or simply want to enjoy the uplifting aroma of cinnamon in your home, add a drop of cinnamon oil to your fabric sachets. (If you are doing this for guests, make sure they are not allergic to cinnamon.)
Cinnamon essential oil research
Cinnamon essential oil is widely used, so it’s no surprise that it’s also heavily researched. Here is some of the research on cinnamon essential oil that stands out.
Skin benefits of cinnamon essential oil - 2017, 2019, 2020
In 2017 a study was published to demonstrate the effects of cinnamon essential oil on protein biomarkers of inflammation and tissue remodeling in skin. It was found that cinnamon essential oil can inhibit inflammatory and tissue remodeling biomarkers in a model of diseased human skin, meaning that it’s a great oil for healthy skin.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits, cinnamon essential oil also has powerful wound-healing properties. When applied to a fresh wound in mice, cinnamon essential oil shortened the inflammatory phase and enhanced collagen deposition, the production of keratin and the production of new skin. It also had powerful antioxidant effects.
Cinnamon essential oil is even effective against Propionibacterium acnes, a primary acne-causing bacteria. A concealer containing 0.5% cinnamon oil was found to have anti-acne and antibacterial activity.
One of the most exciting recent discoveries is cinnamon essential oil’s power against Candida fungus, which causes most human fungal infections, such as toenail fungus, athlete’s foot, ringworm and more. In this study, even the weakest cinnamon oil concentration was found to be more powerful against Candida than nystatin, a common antifungal medication.
Blood sugar regulation properties of cinnamon essential oil - 2003, 2010
A small study was done with a group of people with type 2 diabetes to show the effects of lowered sugar levels due to cinnamon. The study found that there was a positive lowered blood glucose level and cholesterol. While this study used powdered cinnamon internally, it stands to reason that cinnamon essential oil would help here to some degree as well.
In fact, not only can cinnamon reduce blood sugar, cinnamon essential oil was even shown in rats to protect the kidneys against nephropathy or nerve damage from high blood sugar.
Antibacterial properties of cinnamon essential oil - 2014, 2016
Cinnamon essential oil is high in antibacterial properties. A study using cinnamon showed that the spice contains the antibacterial compound cinnamaldehyde which is effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a life-threatening and drug-resistant bacteria.
Another study was done to prove that the oil can be used as a preservative in cosmetics, toiletries and disinfectants, even in sensitive settings such as hospitals, again suggesting that adding a few drops to your cleaning products will certainly fight off bacteria and leave your home smelling like freshly baked cookies. Bliss.
Mood boosting effects of cinnamon essential oil - 2017
Mice were given cinnamon essential oil for 14 days to find out its effects on mood. The researchers found that it reduced anxiety and depressive behavior, and that cinnamaldehyde might have been responsible for its beneficial effects.
Pain relieving effects of cinnamon essential oil - 2013, 2022
A recent study combined clove and cinnamon essential oils in a topical gel and applied it to an area of pain and inflammation in an animal model. They found that the combination had a powerful antinociceptive or pain-relieving effect, as well as reducing inflammation.
Women with dysmenorrhea may also benefit from aromatherapy massage with cinnamon essential oil. Cinnamon was included in an essential oil blend that was used for aromatherapy massage in women with dysmenorrhea once daily over 7 days during the PMS period. The aromatherapy massage with the cinnamon-containing oil blend alleviated menstrual pain and its duration and excessive menstrual bleeding.
Side effects of cinnamon essential oil
While cinnamon essential oil has a myriad of benefits, there are also some serious side effects to the oil because it is so powerful. The scent itself is very strong and should be used sparingly. Some side effects can include skin rashes or a burning sensation.
If you are applying the oil to your skin, it is important to dilute cinnamon oil with a safe carrier oil.
A safe carrier oil would be jojoba oil, this is the first choice of oil as jojoba absorbs quickly into the skin but also prevents your pores from getting clogged which causes outbreaks. Other safe carrier oils are avocado, coconut, almond, sesame, and extra virgin olive oil.
It goes without saying, but if you are allergic to cinnamon, avoid using cinnamon oil as you can still experience an allergic reaction to the oil or any product containing cinnamon.
Contraindications of cinnamon essential oil
Cinnamon essential oil derived from the Cinnamomum cassia tree contains coumarin, a chemical that may cause liver and kidney damage. Make sure to follow directions when using cassia cinnamon oil and talk to your doctor before use if you have liver disease.
The leaf tends to be less irritating to the skin and lungs, while the bark oil can cause severe irritation that feels like a burn.
Where to buy cinnamon essential oil
Cinnamon essential oil is widely available online and in stores. When purchasing cinnamon oil, be sure to look for a 100% pure essential oil - not an extract. This ensures that you're getting an authentic product with all the therapeutic benefits of cinnamon. If it’s organic, even better!
Here are some of the places where you can purchase cinnamon essential oil.
Volant
At Volant, all our essential oils are produced using only the highest-quality plants, which are harvested and distilled with the utmost care. You’ll find cinnamon in Volant’s Focus Blend. Focus is the blend to use when you need to get things done made from Vanilla Beam, Clementine, Rosemary, and Cinnamon. You can rest assured that when you purchase Volant’s Organic Focus Essential Oil blend, you'll receive 100% pure and organic essential oil with no additives or synthetic ingredients. This ensures that you receive the greatest possible benefit from your cinnamon essential oil.
Amazon
Amazon is a popular place to shop for essential oils. It's important to note that Amazon is a marketplace rather than a store, so there are many different businesses selling essential oils through Amazon. For this reason, we'd recommend checking the ingredients and reviews of any essential oil that you choose to purchase through Amazon, as not all essential oils sold on the platform are pure, organic, and trusted.
Pharmacies
If you prefer in-person shopping, holding the product in your hand to get a better idea of what you’re buying, then you will find that your local pharmacies and homeopathic stores will have just what you’re looking for. Always check that the oil you're buying is an essential oil rather than an extract and that it is 100% pure.
doTERRA
DoTERRA is a company that manufactures organic essential oils, including cinnamon essential oil. If you’re looking for a 100% pure cinnamon oil, you’ll want to look at purchasing from DoTERRA.
Cinnamon essential oil FAQs
What does cinnamon essential oil mix well with?
Cinnamon essential oil blends well with black pepper, clove, ginger, geranium, cardamom, bergamot, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, tea tree and ylang ylang essential oils. The blend works beautifully in a diffuser.
Is cinnamon essential oil good for anxiety?
The oil could potentially have beneficial effects in improving depression and anxiety.
What bugs does cinnamon keep away?
There are a number of bugs that detest the scent of cinnamon, and you can use the oil in a spray bottle to keep pesky little bugs away from your home. Bugs that hate the scent are spiders, fruit flies, wasps, earwigs, silverfish, mosquitoes and even bed bugs.
In summary
Cinnamon essential oil can be a friend when used in the right way and with the right amount you will reap more than just the health benefits of the essential oil. You can create a stunning and happy atmosphere with just the scent, calm the mind and lift the mood.
It is also great to soothe sore muscles, promote hair growth and has an abundance of antibacterial properties that are perfect for keeping your home clean and safe from bacteria and mold.
There is pure joy that comes with cinnamon essential oil. All you need to do is find the way that it works best for you and then relax and take in the scent and every benefit the oil so lovingly offers.
We’re here to help if you have any questions about cinnamon essential oil.
You can contact our support team at support@volantaroma.com and we will be more than happy to assist you with any queries you may have.
