Description

Cinnamon

Origin and background

Cinnamon essential oil is extracted from the tree Cinnamomum zeylanicum , also called as the Ceylon cinnamon or true cinnamon. Two types of essential oils are extracted from this plant: one oil is made from the leaves, which are softer, yellow to light brown in color, and the most widely used in aromatherapy; and the second oil is made from the bark that is dark brown in color and is not generally preferred in aromatherapy.

The cinnamon tree originates from the Indian subcontinent and has been an important merchandise between India, China and Egypt for centuries. The origin of cinnamon has long been a great mystery to the Western world. According to Herodotus and other authors, cinnamon came from Arabia. The story tells that giant cinnamon birds gathered cinnamon sticks for their nests from a mysterious place where cinnamon trees grew. But then the Arabs fooled the birds and took the cinnamon away from them. At least that was the belief in Byzantium until 1310.

Aromatic properties

Cinnamon oil has strong antiseptic properties. When used in an oil burner or aroma diffuser, it helps relieve colds, bronchitis and also depression with its aroma.

Cinnamon oil is warming, stimulating, and energizing.

Healing properties

Adding cinnamon oil to bath water or massage oil also helps with diarrhea, rheumatism and arthritis pain, bronchitis, and colds. Also helps with nausea and vomiting.

It stimulates the endocrine glands and therefore reduces menstrual pain.

Recommended uses

Topical