Uses for Cinnamon Oil
Cinnamon is one of the world's most identifiable scents and flavors. This common spice is used for flavoring in cooking especially baked goods and Indian sauces. It's also added to potpourris and candles to create a warm familiar ambiance. You can buy cinnamon in sticks, ground into a powder or as an oil.
While the stick and powdered form of cinnamon is obtained from the bark, cinnamon oil comes from both the bark and leaves. This highly concentrated essential oil has a variety of uses that go beyond cooking and scents.
Although full-strength cinnamon oil should never be applied directly to the skin, it can be safely used when diluted. Check with your doctor before using, and test on a small portion on your skin for unusual allergic reactions.
History
The cinnamon tree, or cinnamomum verum, is a native plant of Asia, most commonly found in India and Sri Lanka. It has been credited with being a major force in the creation of trade routes between Europe and Asia and has been used as a spice and medicine for thousands of year. Since the most potent form of cinnamon is the oil, it was commonly transported for trade and even religious ceremonies.
Cinnamon Oil as an Infection Fighter
Cinnamon oil has natural antiseptic uses as well. It can be diluted with water to be used as a tasty mouth wash to treat thrush or other mouth sores. Studies have shown that it can also be used in the treatment of yeast infections as well. Some natural healers also recommend drinking a glass of water with a few drops of cinnamon oil to combat internal infections.
If you have an infection, check with your doctor before you begin using cinnamon oil.
Cinnamon Oil as to Ease Arthritis Pain
Because of its heat generating and anti-inflammatory properties, cinnamon oil can be applied topically to ease arthritis symptoms. It can be diluted with a cream or lotion and rubbed onto your joints or applied in a diluted form to a towel or bandage and wrapped around the arthritic area. Just a few drops in a tub of water will be enough to relieve some of the aches of arthritis.
Cinnamon Oil as a Mosquito Repellent
According to recent studies, cinnamon oil is an effective mosquito repellent and also kills the larvae of mosquitoes. To use cinnamon oil as a mosquito repellent, dilute it with water and spray it on your clothing or skin taking care to avoid the eye and mouth areas. Just a few drops to a spray bottle of water will be enough. You can also add a few drops of oil to sun screen so you'll only need to apply one lotion before going outdoors. Do not use the oil full strength and test a small area of your clothing for staining first. According to an article in Science Daily, there is evidence that diluted cinnamon oil can also be sprayed like as insecticide to kill mosquito larvae as well.
Aromatherapy
Cinnamon oil is commonly used in aromatherapy because of its restorative and anti-depressive qualities. The scent of cinnamon oil is thought to both calm and energize at the same time.
Tags: diluted with, doctor before, form cinnamon, Just drops, test small, Uses Cinnamon