Health Benefits Of Cinnamon Oil
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several trees from the genus Cinnamomum that is used in both sweet and savoury foods. Cinnamon is one of the most popular herbs and spices. The herb, owing to its vast medicinal uses, had found a prominent position in traditional medicines, especially Ayurveda (the traditional Indian medicinal system). Traditionally cinnamon, due to its medicinal properties, has been used in many cultures for treating a variety of health disorders including diarrhea, arthritis, menstrual cramps, heavy menstruation, yeast infections, colds, flu, and digestive problems.
Cinnamon oil is used for aromatherapy and as a room freshener in potpourris. Some use cinnamon oil as a flavoring agent in foods. It is an effective mosquito repellent and has also been shown to kill mosquito and larvae. Medicinal uses include treatment of bacterial and fungal infections, enhancing blood circulation and stimulating sexual desire. Cinnamon oil also boosts the effectiveness of other herbs and essential oils such as lemon, rosemary, geranium, lavender and cardamom.
The health benefits of cinnamon include the following:
1. Brain tonic: Cinnamon boosts the activity of the brain and hence acts as a good brain tonic. It helps in removing nervous tension and memory loss. Research at the Wheeling Jesuit University in the US has proved that the scent of cinnamon has the ability to boost brain activity. Cinnamon improves cognitive activities such as attentional processes, virtual recognition memory, working memory, and visual-motor response speed.
2. Blood purification:Cinnamon helps in removing blood impurities. Therefore it is often recommended for pimples.
3. Blood circulation: Cinnamon aids in the circulation of blood due to the presence of a blood thinning compound in it. This blood circulation helps significantly in removing pain. Good blood circulation also ensures oxygen supply to the body cells leading to higher metabolic activity. You significantly reduce the chance of getting a heart attack by regularly consuming cinnamon.
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4. Pain: Cinnamon is also anti inflammatory. It helps in removing the stiffness of muscles. It relieves pain and stiffness of muscle and joints. Cinnamon is also recommended for arthritis. It also helps in removing headache that is caused by cold.
5. Diabetes: Cinnamon has the ability to control blood sugar. Diabetics find it very useful as cinnamon aids them in using less insulin. Research has shown that it is particularly very helpful for patients suffering from type2 diabetes. Type2 diabetes patients are not able to use their insulin levels properly. Researchers found that a water-soluble polyphenol compound called MHCP which is abundant in cinnamon synergistically acted with insulin and helped in the better utilization of insulin.
6. Infections: Due to its anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic properties, it is effective on external as well as internal infections. It helps in destroying germs in the gall bladder and bacteria in staph infections.
7. Anti-Bacterial Foot Wash: If you are prone to foot fungal infections as a result of playing sports a Cinnamon Oil foot wash is just the thing. Use the 1% diluted Cinnamon Oil to soak your feet for 5-10 minutes. Not only is the warmth of cinnamon oil soothing, but it will kill any fungal infections like athletes foot. Depending on your skin sensitivity you can increase the dilution ratio to 3%. You maybe be tempted to exceed this ratio but this is unnecessary and may cause a burning sensation as Cinnamon oil is pretty powerful. But boy does it soothe aching feet and kill any germs as the same time.
8. Massage Oil: Because of its warming properties Cinnamon oil can be used in blended massage oils, or diluted in the bath, to assist with bronchitis, diarrhea, chills, infections, flu, rheumatism and arthritis. Combine cinnamon oil with massage oil or Jojoba to increase circulation and relieve tense muscles.
9. Aroma therapy: Cinnamon oil is sometimes used in acute bronchitis and colds, as well as sneezing, help lift depression and reduce feelings of weakness. All you need to do is put some water on a diffuser, add a drop of Cinnamon leaf oil and light a candle underneath. The wonderful aroma of Cinnamon oil will invigorate you. Remember however not to overdo it. Don't add too much Cinnamon oil. You are likely to get sick of it. It should be subtle. Just a whiff.
10. Pesticide/Insect Repellent: If you have the common black ant problem in the house during the summer months spray Cinnamon leaf oil on your kitchen counter tops and virtually any surface where the ants tend to congregate and wipe with a wet cloth. The ants will be gone in minutes never to return. Also works to kill flies. If Mosquito's bother you, dilute (1%) Cinnamon leaf oil with water and rub it on your hands and body. Do not rub on genital areas, eyes, under arms or other sensitive areas.
11. Odor Neutralizer: Because of its strong germicidal, anti-septic and anti bacterial properties it is commonly used in bathrooms to get rid of odors. Many people spray Cinnamon leaf oil in their vehicles to get rid of bad odors and bacteria that accumulate in a closed environment. If you have children you know how your car windows and virtually every surface can get smothered in germs. All you need to do is wipe all surfaces with a micro fiber cloth and and some diluted Cinnamon leaf Oil.
12. Healing: Cinnamon helps in stopping bleeding. Therefore it facilitates the healing process.
13. Heart diseases: It is believed that the calcium and fiber present in cinnamon provides protection against heart diseases. Including a little cinnamon in the food helps those suffering from coronary artery disease and high blood pressure.
14. Colon cancer: It also improves the health of colon and thereby reducing the risk to colon cancer.
15. Mouth freshener: Cinnamon is used in chewing gums as it is a good mouth freshener and removes bad breath.
16. Perfumes: It has a refreshing aroma and is extensively used in making perfumes.
17.Indigestion: Cinnamon is added in many ethnic recipes. Apart from adding flavor to the food, it also aids in digestion. Cinnamon is very effective for indigestion, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea and flatulence. Due to its carminative properties, it is very helpful in removing gas from the stomach and intestines. It also removes acidity, diarrhea and morning sickness. It is therefore often referred to as a digestive tonic.
18. Respiratory problems: Cinnamon helps in cold, flu, influenza, sore throat and congestion.
19. Menstruation: Cinnamon is effective in providing relief from menstrual discomfort and cramping.
20. Birth control: Cinnamon also helps in natural birth control. Regular consumption of cinnamon after child birth delays menstruation and thus helps in avoiding conception.
21. Breastfeeding: It is also believed that cinnamon aids in the secretion of breast milk.
Cinnamon is diuretic in nature and helps in secretion and discharge of urine. It is also aphrodisiac and is believed to arouse sexual desire.
Being strong in nature, cinnamon oil should be avoided for internal consumption. Further, it can have adverse effects on the skin, if used topically in concentrated form and therefore it should be used in diluted form. Moreover before using cinnamon oil, it should be tested if it suits your skin. Hence apply only a small quantity of cinnamon oil initially and check if you get any allergic reaction. Do not apply cinnamon oil on the face and sensitive areas.
Cinnamon blends well with various essential oils and hence it is added to many aromatherapy preparations. It enhances the effectiveness of other herbs and essential oils and thus speeds up treatment of herbal remedies. Further many herbs have an unpleasant taste. Cinnamon or cinnamon oil is added to herbal preparations to make them taste better. The oil blends well with other essential oils such as lemon essential oil, rosemary essential oil, geranium essential oil, lavender essential oil and cardamom essential oil.