If you were asked to think of scents that remind you of fall, your first thought may be pumpkin or apple. I’m sure, though, cinnamon would also be high on your list! Fall is here in Chicago and this week’s essential oil feature is the lovely cinnamonium zeylanicum, or simply put, cinnamon essential oil. You can find several different types of cinnamon oil, some being extracted from the leaves or bark of a cinnamon shrub. The difference here is just their chemical compositions; they will both smell extremely similar and provide the same list of benefits. Here are some of them:
Improves brain function – we’re in college. I’m sure we can all use some help with focusing, memory and clarity. While you’re studying, diffuse some cinnamon oil to boost your brain activity and get the most out of your hard work.
Study time essential oil recipe: 3 drops cinnamon, 2 drops rosemary, 1 drop peppermint
Provides natural pain relief – when combined with a carrier oil, cinnamon has the ability to provide relief to sore joints, knots in your muscles and any other body aches.
Holistic pain relief recipe: dilute 5 drops of cinnamon essential oil with a carrier oil, like coconut oil, and apply to area in pain. You may also add clove and/or eucalyptus oil to this mixture.
(https://www.verywellhealth.com/cinnamon-essential-oil-what-you-need-to-know-88776)
Helps cure toothaches and freshens breath – due to a chemical found in the oil, cinnamon essential oil can be a great oral analgesic, especially when combined with clove. It also is antibacterial, thus killing germs and giving you fresh breath.
How to do it: place 1-2 drops on a piece of cotton and let it rest in your mouth for a few minutes. Or, place the drops onto your toothbrush and gently brush your teeth and gums to relieve pain and freshen breath. Also, when combined with spearmint oil or peppermint oil, you get a nice “cinna-mint” flavor.
Can help prevent colds and improve immunity – when I worked at the essential oil shop over the summer, I learned about a product we had called “Immunity Boost.” This blend combined cinnamon with clove and also lemon, eucalyptus and rosemary. I was sick recently and diffused this everyday to clean the air and shorten the length of my cold.
(https://www.greenenvee.com/product/immunity-boost-antibacterial-pure-essential-oil-blend-15ml/)
Finally, get in the mood to welcome fall! – With all of these great benefits, cinnamon is the best essential oil to diffuse as the leaves turn and the temperature gets colder. For me, it inspires feelings of coziness and warmth and is helping me appreciate this beautiful time of year even more!
Recipe idea: combine 6 drops of cinnamon with 2-3 drops each of vanilla oil and orange oil