Cinnamon Essential Oil Benefits

In her book, "The Complete Book of Aromatherapy and Essential Oils," Valerie Ann Worwood states that cinnamon oil is produced with extracted oil from the bark of the cinnamon tree. This oil has numerous uses in aromatherapy. Cinnamon is also used in cooking and food preparation, and is commonly added as a flavoring ingredient for hard candies and apple butter.

Antibacterial

Cinnamon oil is a powerful antibacterial agent. A 2009 New York Times article, "The Claim: Cinnamon Oil Kills Bacteria" supports the claim that cinnamon oil has powerful antimicrobial properties, and is often added to sanitizers and antibacterial soaps. Furthermore, a 2006 study published by The Society of Nematologists determined that cinnamon oil was useful as a nematicide, which is a type of chemical pesticide used to kill parasites. Cinnamon is frequently used as an insect repellent and has also been reported by the Organic Facts website to be useful in helping to destroy germs in the gall bladder, and bacteria in staph infections.

Stimulating

Cinnamon oil's spicy scent can be an aphrodisiac. Cinnamon oil has warming, stimulating properties, which can provide both an energizing and amorous atmosphere. Using cinnamon oil in an oil diffuser can produce an uplifted, energized mood. In her book, "Natural Beauty at Home," Janice Cox suggests that cinnamon oil can be used to make a homemade aphrodisiac massage oil, using one-half cup light oil and a few drops of cinnamon essential oil. The Organic Facts website points out that research at the Wheeling Jesuit University has proved that the scent of cinnamon has the ability to boost brain activity.

Anti-inflammatory

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, cinnamon oil is useful in treating conditions such as chronic muscle pain, cramps and arthritis. The Organic Facts website states that cinnamon oil can help remove stiffness from muscles and can relieve pain from stiff joints and muscles. A few drops of cinnamon oil can be mixed with a carrier oil, such as grapeseed or almond oil, to be used in a compress for direct application to the skin for the relief of sore or aching muscles.