Cinnamon, a sweet-and-spicy-tasting spice used in cooking, is more than just something you use for food. This spice is made from the bark of a cinnamon tree. Since the ancient days, people have put a high value on it. They value how it can make food taste better and its healing powers. In This Article, we’ll Discuss About the Health Benefits Of Cinnamon Oil.
Cinnamon oil is particularly potent. It works well at fighting bacteria and fungus, making it a helpful friend in stopping infection. It’s also good for controlling blood sugar levels, which helps people with diabetes a lot. It’s also rich in antioxidants and loaded with various other health benefits.
Types of Cinnamon
Cinnamon is grown in different parts of Asia. There are more than 100 types, with Ceylon and Chinese cinnamon being the most common. People have been using cinnamon as medicine in many ways for thousands of years. For example, the old Egyptians used cinnamon. People who use old medicine from Asia have also used cinnamon.
So, cinnamon is not just for making food taste better. It is known as a strong natural medicine, beloved for many years because of its health advantages.
Historical Importance of Cinnamon
Cinnamon was used for mummifying and religious ceremonies in ancient Egypt. This made it more valuable than gold. It was popular in church services and as a food flavoring in medieval Europe. Later, it became a significant source of profit in the Dutch East India Company’s spice trade. There are various types of cinnamon. These include Chinese cassia, Vietnamese cinnamon, Indonesian cinnamon, and Malabar cinnamon.
Health Benefits Of Cinnamon Oil
1. Fight Free Radicals with Cinnamon Oil
Free radicals form from various causes. Cinnamon oil has antioxidants to protect against them. Studies show it’s better at this than oils like ylang-ylang or tea tree. Free radical damage can add up to your skin. Using diluted cinnamon oil helps. It can improve dry skin, uneven color, sagging, wrinkles, and thin skin.
2. Helps With Diabetes
Cinnamon oil might help control blood sugar levels. It is particularly useful for people with diabetes. One study found that a mix of essential oils, including cinnamon oil, reduced blood sugar levels. Another study showed that cinnamon oil could regulate blood sugar. It also helps the pancreas work better, especially the insulin-release cells.
3. Boost Your Metabolism
Cinnamon has cinnamaldehyde, an oil that can help burn more energy in fat cells. This was found in a lab study. It’s good news for weight loss, but it’s still early research. There’s more to learn.
4. Reduces Oxidative Stress
Cinnamon oil can lower oxidative stress. Studies show it works like an enzyme that fights this stress. This helps keep the heart healthy. It lowers the risk of heart disease, a common cause of early death.
5. Reduces Cancer Risk
Cancer happens when cells grow too much. Cinnamon oil can help lower this risk. It’s good against cancers in the prostate, lungs, and breast. In lab tests, it worked against certain head and neck cancer cells. A protein in the oil helps with this. Also, cinnamon can reduce the risk of colon cancer by cleaning out enzymes in the colon.
6. Antibacterial Properties of Cinnamon Oil
Cinnamon oil fights tough bacteria. Studies show it works against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacteria is drug-resistant and can be dangerous.
It’s also good for oral health. Cinnamon oil helps against bacteria and fungi that cause mouth infections and tooth cavities.
Cinnamon oil can disinfect, too. Its antibacterial qualities make it a natural choice for preserving products. It can help keep cosmetics, toiletries, and disinfectants last longer without chemicals.
7. May Alleviate Inflammation
Cinnamon might reduce inflammation. Inflammation helps the body heal and fight infections. But, too much inflammation can harm the body. Cinnamon’s antioxidants might help control this. Research suggests cinnamon can be anti-inflammatory.
Related Article: Why Cinnamon Is Important In My Daily Life? 12 Health Benefits
How To Make Essential Oil At Home
Making cinnamon essential oil at home is easy. Here’s how to do it:
- Collect Cinnamon Sticks: Get some cinnamon sticks from a grocery store.
- Crush Them: Break the sticks into smaller pieces. You don’t need to make them too fine, just enough to open them up.
- Jar Preparation: Put the crushed cinnamon in a clean glass jar. Pour olive oil over them until they’re all covered. Olive oil works well for this.
- Store and Wait: Close the jar tightly and put it somewhere warm and dark, like a cupboard. Let it sit for two weeks. This is when the cinnamon infuses into the oil.
- Shake Regularly: Give the jar a good shake daily to mix everything well.
- Strain the Oil: After two weeks, strain the oil using a cloth to remove the cinnamon pieces. Squeeze the cloth to get all the oil out.
- Bottle It Up: Pour the oil into a dark glass bottle. It helps keep the oil good for longer.
- Label it with the date so you know when you made it.
You now have your homemade cinnamon essential oil ready for use. Remember to do a small skin test before using it to ensure you’re not allergic.
Side Effects And Allergies
Cinnamon leaf oil is generally safe. It doesn’t usually cause health problems. But cinnamon bark oil can be toxic and cause reactions. So, use it carefully.
Cassia cinnamon is safe in small amounts. But it has a lot of coumarin, which can be harmful in large quantities. Too much coumarin might damage the liver or increase cancer risk.
Overeating Cassia cinnamon can also cause other side effects. Always mix cinnamon oil with another oil before using it. If you have allergies, talk to your doctor first. Doing a patch test can also show if it’s safe for you.
Read More: Lemongrass Oil Benefits For Skin: Revitalize Your Skin
Conclusion
Cinnamon oil offers multiple health benefits. It’s effective against bacteria and fungi. It controls blood sugar and is rich in antioxidants. This oil, extracted from different cinnamon types, has been valued for centuries. Research supports its ability to fight free radicals. It also helps with diabetes, boosts metabolism, and reduces oxidative stress. It also shows the potential to lower cancer risks and has strong antibacterial properties. Additionally, cinnamon oil may help reduce inflammation. These are the major Health Benefits Of Cinnamon Oil. This highlights its significant role in health and wellness.
References
- Utchariyakiat I, Surassmo S, Jaturanpinyo M, Khuntayaporn P, Chomnawang MT. Efficacy of cinnamon bark oil and cinnamaldehyde on anti-multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the synergistic effects in combination with other antimicrobial agents. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016;16:158. [PMC free article]
- Vasconcelos NG, Croda J, Simionatto S. Antibacterial mechanisms of cinnamon and its constituents: A review. Microb Pathog. 2018;120:198–203. [PubMed]
