Aromatherapy with Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil: Benefits and Uses
What Is Cinnamon Leaf Oil?
Cinnamon leaf oils contain at least 80% phenols—organic aromatic compounds with a variety of antiseptic, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anesthetic healing properties.
Cinnamon oil is also derived from the plant’s leaves and bark. Cinnamon bark oil is stronger-smelling and more potent than leaf oil, which is musky in scent and lighter in color. Bark oil is highly refined and quite expensive, making the leaf oil a more cost-effective and lightweight option.
Benefits of Cinnamon Leaf Oil
This essential oil has been used for centuries by healers, massage therapists, herbalists and alternative medicine health practitioners. Benefits include:
- Immune-boosting protection against colds and the flu
- Reduces inflammation
- Promotes anti-aging by blocking free radicals
- Kills and repels bacteria, parasites and bugs
- Reduces food cravings. Ground cinnamon spice helps regulate blood sugar
- Eases symptoms of congestion and bronchitis when used in a diffuser
- Relieves muscle aches and spasms when massaged into the skin in combination with a carrier oil or lotion, or diluted into a warm bath
- Promotes stress-relief and improved brain function
- Improves mood and can help relieve depressive symptoms
- Boosts energy, mental focus and libido
- Improves blood circulation, oxygenation and metabolism
- Alleviates nausea and diarrhea
How to Use This Essential Herbal Oil
Essential oils are versatile and last a long time, even with frequent use. Cinnamon oil is best used topically, either in a lotion, carrier oil, or shampoo, or diffused into the air. It's important to dilute the oil properly to prevent adverse reactions from overuse. When adding this essential oil to a topical carrier oil (such as coconut oil), 1-3 drops should suffice. 3-4 drops are enough for use in a diffuser filled with filtered water. Smelling the oil as a quick pick-me-up requires no dilution at all.
Looking for specific ideas? Try some of these at-home uses:
- Use a drop in your favorite shampoo to make your hair shiny and healthy. When diluted in shampoo, the oil also helps kill head lice.
- Give yourself a relaxing foot soak by diluting 1 drop of cinnamon leaf oil in a bucket of warm water.
- In a diffuser, try blending the oil with other complementary essential oils--including eucalyptus, tea tree, and lemon oils--for an energizing mood booster.
- Sick of chemical-laden bug repellent? Use a spray bottle filled with filtered water and 2-3 drops of the oil to help vanquish mosquitoes, flies, ants and cockroaches.
- For a DIY antiseptic facial scrub, mix 1 drop of leaf oil with a few tablespoons each of ground cinnamon, sugar, orange juice and olive oil. Gently massage the mixture into your skin for five minutes, then rinse with warm water.
- When diluted into filtered water, this oil helps disinfect hard surfaces within your home, including the kitchen and bathroom sinks, toilets, countertops and doorknobs.
Is Cinnamon Leaf Oil Safe?
Used sparingly and in proper concentration, Cinnamon leaf oil is a safe, natural alternative for health, beauty and wellness. It can irritate the skin if too much is used, and shouldn’t be used by pregnant women, since it can induce menstruation. When used topically, be sure to dilute well with a carrier oil, lotion or shampoo—no more than 1-3 drops, or about 1% concentration.
