Cinnamon Oil: The Effects

Cinnamon oil is a derivatives of the cinnamon plant. Known for its sweet aroma and its distinct sweet taste, this plant is a highly sought after spice. Nowadays cinnamon is recognised for the vast health benefits it offers. Studies have confirmed its positive health effects on cholesterol and insulin, its ability as a digestive aid and its antimicrobial activity.

The cinnamon oil is a dark liquid with a sweet, spicy, powerful aroma. Cinnamon oil has traditionally been used for fast relief of infections of the bladder and the digestive system, as well as enzymatic deficiency in the gut. Many studies has confirmed that cinnamon mouthwash is very effective against bacteria of the mouth¹. This is due to the anti microbial activity that cinnamon oil possesses, second to clove oil. Since this discovery, cinnamon flavored mouthwash, chewing gum and toothpicks are available in the marketplace. This has given cinnamon lot of exposure around the world aside from its culinary use.

Cinnamon oil is said to kill a variety of bacterial pathogens including “Streptococcus pneumonia” which is said to be the bacteria that is responsible for pneumonia ². The same research suggests that cinnamon oil is effective as medical antiseptics and disinfectants used in hospitals.

Cinnamon oil can be combined with liquid soap water, and used as a home-made organic bug repellant³. It has been used against lice and other skin parasites.

Another simple but prominent use of cinnamon oil is that it repels mosquitoes. Research done from National University of Taiwan has proven that cinnamonaldehyde (the main derivative of cinnamon) is an active mosquito killing agent⁴. This has become a promising piece of evidence as it is more beneficial to find an environmentally friendly solution to this problem.

Cinnamon oil helps in enhancing functionality of the body's systems. For example, stimulation of the circulatory system and the digestive are two vital benefits which can result in positive effects on blood pressure as well as regular digestion. Due to the increased functioning of the digestive system, diseases such as diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, and flatulence may be minimized. ⁵

Cinnamon oil is a natural analgesic. It is therefore effective in reducing pain.⁶. Due to this quality cinnamon can be used to reduce the pain in inflamed joints and as a painkiller for arthritis patients. It is advised that cinnamon oil should be adulterated with another oil as pure cinnamon oil can irritate the skin.

Another major but quite unusual use of cinnamon oil is that it can be used as an alternative for smoking. Smoking is one of the most addictive habits as well as a drug which causes cancer, but according to www.knol.google.com (2009); cinnamon can be used to help quit smoking by means of cinnamon flavored products (such as cinnamon gum and toothpicks). Also as discussed earlier, using these products will be helpful as they possess many healthy qualities which can be an added benefit.

Cinnamon oil possess a natural cooling ability and this has been used for fields such as aroma therapy which is a highly sought after and not to mention a highly paid area. According to www.ahealingessence.com, (2009), “Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil (cinnamomum zeylanicum) is a warming, stimulating, restorative oil and is the perfect natural home remedy for achy muscles and cold extremities due to poor circulation”. It further explains that cinnamon oil can be used as a restorative and strengthening oil which aid in recovery from illness.

In conclusion, it can be clear that cinnamon oil possesses a wide range of very important qualities and just as its parent plant, it has proven to be a helpful, easy and affordable alternative to many regular needs ranging from a chewing gum to a disinfectant and from a brain tonic to a mosquito repellent.

References

1. www.anandaapothecary.com, (2009), Cinnamon essential oil, (online). Available: http://www.anandaapothecary.com/aromatherapy-essential-oils/cinnamon-essential-oil.html (29th September 2009)
2. www.biojobblog.com, (2009), Cinnamon oil; a new antibacterial? (Online), Available: http://www.biojobblog.com/2009/09/articles/odds-n-ends/cinnamon-oil-a-new-antibacterial/ (20th September 2009)
3. www.findarticles.com, (2009), Cinnamon - therapeutic uses (Online), Available: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HKL/is_6_7/ai_76471212/?tag=content;col1 (28th September 2009)
4. www.organicfacts.net, (2009), Health Benefits of Cinnamon Oil, (Online), Available: http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/natural-essential-oils/health-benefits-of-cinnamon-oil.html (28th September 2009)
5. www.wisegeek.com, (2009), what are the health benefits of cinnamon oil? (Online), Available: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-health-benefits-of-cinnamon-oil.htm (30th September 2009)
6. www.natural-homeremedies.org , (2009), Cinnamon oil uses, (Online), Available: http://www.natural-homeremedies.org/blog/cinnamon-oil-uses/ (29th September)
7. www.knol.google.com (2009), Steps to quit smoking, (Online), Available: http://knol.google.com/k/blesson/steps-to-quit-smoking/a6me01nlkhp6/2# (29th September 2009)
8. www.ahealingessence.com, (2009), about organic cinnamon oil, (Online), Available: http://www.ahealingessence.com/about-organic-cinnamon-oil (29th September 2009)