8 Cinnamon Essential Oil Benefits

There are two primary types of cinnamon essential oil: cinnamon bark oil and cinnamon leaf oil. Both oils offer a wide range of benefits due to cinnamon’s rich antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, anti-diabetic, and anticancer properties. This multifaceted medicinal plant has even been reported to produce activities against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cardiovascular disease (1).   

Its long list of therapeutic benefits may be the reason why the cinnamon plant is referred to as the eternal tree of medicine. Cinnamon belongs to the Lauraceae family, and while it’s native to parts of South Asia, today, it’s imported across the world so that everyone can have a little bit of the magic. 

Historically, cinnamon is considered one of the oldest-used spices in human history. Ancient Egyptians and Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine practitioners have sworn by it for everything from weight loss issues to depression for thousands of years. 

Cinnamon Oil Benefits 

So what exactly is the magic in cinnamon essential oil? The major components of cinnamon are eugenol, linalool, and cinnamaldehyde. Which component is primary in your essential oil is dependent on which part of the plant the oil comes from. As I mentioned in the beginning of the article, there are two primary types of cinnamon essential oil: leaf and bark. 

Cinnamaldehyde comes from bark while eugenol comes from the leaf, and camphor comes from the root. We’re going to focus on the leaf and bark oils in this article because they are the oils primarily available on the market today. 

Cinnamon leaf oil has a spicy smell that has a lighter, sometimes murky color. Cinnamon bark oil, on the other hand, has a red-brown color. As I mentioned, both are beneficial, but research shows that cinnamon bark oil may have more potent properties. Here’s why: Cinnamon bark oil can dilate blood vessels and boost nitric oxide function, increasing blood flow and decreasing inflammation (2).  

Other cinnamon oil benefits include:

• Relieves depression 
• Fights viruses 
• Decreases inflammation
• Increases circulation
• Fights free radicals
• Strengthens immune system 
• Stimulates libido 
• Fights parasites 
• Enhances nitric oxide function
• Dilates blood vessels 

8 Cinnamon Oil Uses 

Now that you’ve learned the basics of cinnamon oil and the wide variety of benefits, are you ready to learn how you can use cinnamon essential oil for wellness today? Let’s dive in. 

Improve Blood Sugar Levels 

Cinnamon has been shown to help balance blood sugar and keep it stable. Cinnamon’s positive effect on insulin release means that it can help fight moodiness, sugar cravings, and chronic fatigue. 

One study found that people with type 2 diabetes who supplemented with cinnamon for 40 days all had lower blood glucose levels, lower levels of triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol! (3)

A drop of high-quality cinnamon oil can be used in your food to help stabilize blood sugar levels. To help with cravings and overeating, simply inhaling cinnamon essential oil will do the trick. 

Support Heart Health 

In 2014, an animal study showed that cinnamon bark extract and aerobic training could boost heart health. Not only that, but the study found that a combination of cinnamon extract and exercise can lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL) (4). 

As I mentioned earlier, cinnamon can help enhance nitric oxide function, which is ideal for those suffering from a heart condition. Its antiplatelet compounds, as well as its anti-inflammatory properties, can support arterial health. 

Increase Libido 

Like oysters, cinnamon is a natural aphrodisiac. Ayurvedic medicine sometimes recommends cinnamon to help with sexual dysfunction. There is science to support that. In 2013, research found that cinnamon can be used as a natural remedy for impotence. The animals studied who were struggling with sexual dysfunction due to age found that Cinnamomum cassia extract improved sexual function, motivation, and erectile function (5). 

Calm a Sore Throat 

Cinnamon’s potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory effects make it a must-have essential oil for fighting a sore throat (6).

When using cinnamon oil or a sore throat, make sure to have a high-quality, therapeutic-grade oil from a trusted company. Add 1-2 drops of cinnamon essential oil to honey. Stir into hot water with a squeeze of lemon. This killer combo will help ease pain as well as boost immunity. 

Fight Fungus 

Cinnamon’s antifungal and antimicrobial properties can fight fungal strains associated with common fungal infections like toenail fungus (8). If you struggle with toenail fungus, try using cinnamon oil as a natural remedy. Combine a couple of drops of cinnamon and clove oil with coconut oil and apply it to the infected area.

Cook and Bake

I love cooking with essential oils. I find that they really enhance the flavor of food and brighten up my favorite meals. I love to use cinnamon essential oil in cooking and baking (especially at Christmastime!).

Try adding a drop to pancake or waffle batter, a bowl of oatmeal or to your favorite baked goods like muffins and cookies. For best results mix the cinnamon with healthy fat first (like grass fed butter or coconut oil) before stirring it in to your recipe. The fat acts as a “carrier” and helps the essential oil to disperse evenly.

I guarantee once you start cooking and baking with cinnamon oil you will have a newfound love for your favorite dishes.

Support Weight Loss 

Harness the blood sugar balancing benefits of cinnamon oil by using it to curb your sweet tooth! When blood sugar is out of balance, it can cause us to overeat or crave unhealthy processed foods. Cinnamon can help bring that back into balance, so you don’t need to reach for another baked good. 

The chemical compounds cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon oil also has the potential to help fat cells burn energy. It activates the metabolic responses in cells, which can support weight loss or prevent obesity (9). 

Purify the Air 

Who doesn’t love the sweet and spicy smell of cinnamon? It’s perfect for the holidays, and especially with fall coming into full swing, it’s a must-have oil for fall diffuser blends. 

Yes, cinnamon essential oil will make your home smell wonderful, but that’s not all it can do. Its antimicrobial properties can help cleanse and deodorize your home, naturally. Combine cinnamon oil with bright citrus oils like orange or lemon to detox the air and brighten your day. 

There you have it. You learned about all the wonderful benefits of cinnamon essential oil! What are you going to harness the powers of cinnamon oil for? Let me know in the comments below.