It’s believed that over one hundred varieties of cinnamon are grown worldwide, all of them associated with strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

Considered one of the longest-existing spices in human history, and associated with wealth and prosperity, these days cinnamon is used more as a flavouring than anything else.

However, in aromatherapy circles, cinnamon is still lauded for its ability to support heart health, heal ulcers, fight parasites and fungi, and benefit skin and hair.

What are the benefits of cinnamon essential oil?

Despite its seasonal ties, cinnamon oil is so much more than just a warming ingredient for colder weather. Cinnamon oil has been known to benefit:

• Heart health
• Skin and hair
• Ulcer prevention
• Parasite, fungus, and bacteria prevention
• Mood

Does cinnamon essential oil help with heart health?

There is evidence to suggest that cinnamon oil has heart health-boosting benefits.

A study in 2014 showed that cinnamon bark oil, coupled with aerobic exercise, could help to improve heart performance more rapidly.

This study also showed that a cinnamon/exercise pairing can help to lower LDL cholesterol - considered ‘bad’ cholesterol - while raising HDL, or ‘good’ cholesterol.

Cinnamon is also known to promote nitric oxide production, which can be beneficial for those with heart disease.

Its anti-inflammatory properties can also be beneficial for giving an extra boost to heart health.

Is cinnamon oil good for skin and hair?

It is important to remember that cinnamon oil is incredibly potent and can have strong effects on the skin if not properly diluted.

When mixed with a large percentage of carrier oil and applied sparingly, cinnamon oil can be an effective natural treatment for rashes or acne.

A study in 2017 found that this is due to cinnamon oil’s anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce redness and the overall appearance of affected areas.

People have also found that cinnamon oil may be able to thicken hair by increasing blood flow to the scalp and promoting growth.

However, you should only use diluted cinnamon oil on the skin or hair after seeking advice from a dermatologist - or someone with professional accreditation - as sensitive skin can react badly.

For a less complicated option, you can always try out our pre made rosemary for hair blend.

Can I use cinnamon oil to plump my lips?

Despite popular claims that cinnamon oil can be used to plump lips, this is not recommended due to the increased sensitivity on and surrounding the lip area.

Read more about why you shouldn’t use cinnamon essential oil to plump lips.

Can cinnamon essential oil be used to help heal ulcers?

A study in 2003 demonstrated that cinnamon oil can have a significant inhibiting effect on the bacteria H.pylori, which is known to cause ulcers.

Reducing H.pylori can significantly improve ulcer symptoms and provide relief.

This inhibiting effect is likely due to the compound eugenol, contained within cinnamon oil, which attacks the H.pylori bacteria and prevents it from flourishing.

Can cinnamon oil be used to help fight bacteria, parasites, and fungi?

A study in 2014 found that cinnamon oil was useful for treating the parasite giardiasis, a common protozoal infection largely found in children.

The research aimed to find natural alternatives to the chemical treatment MTZ, which was losing its sensitivities for the treatment of giardiasis.

Further research conducted in 2016 has also suggested that cinnamon oil can be useful in attacking the parasites that cause malaria.

These are just a couple of examples of parasites that cinnamon oil has been shown to be effective against - and its microbial-fighting properties don’t stop there.

Cinnamon oil has also been shown to have anti-fungal properties, in particular showing inhibiting effects against the candida fungus, while the oil’s anti-bacterial properties have been known to effectively fight against antibiotic-resistant strains.

Why is cinnamon essential oil relaxing?

Many people consider cinnamon oil to be an effective mood enhancer, possibly due to its seasonal, nostalgic ties. This in turn creates feelings of ease and relaxation.

Cinnamon has also been linked to stress relief and better sleep, making it a popular choice for aromatherapy in diffusers.

What is the history of Cinnamon Essential Oil?

Historically known to represent health, good fortune, and safeguarding, cinnamon oil was said to have been used by grave robbers in the 15th century as protection against the plague. In fact, cinnamon oil can be found in our popular Four Bandits Blend for this reason.

In Ancient Egyptian society, cinnamon was considered of an equivalent or even higher value than gold and was traditionally used in embalming as well as witchcraft practices like love potions.

Cinnamon is a very powerful oil with strong effects both medically and cosmetically.

It is important to always avoid applying cinnamon oil to very sensitive areas such as the lips, or at least seek advice from a medical professional before doing so.

That said, when cinnamon oil is used correctly its potency can result in some very impressive benefits.