1. Heart Health-Booster
Cinnamon oil can naturally help to boost heart health. An animal study published in 2014 demonstrates how cinnamon bark extract along with aerobic training can help to improve heart performance. The study also shows how cinnamon extract and exercise can help to lower both overall cholesterol and LDL “bad” cholesterol while raising HDL “good” cholesterol.
Cinnamon has also been shown to help foster nitric oxide production, which is beneficial for people with heart disease or who have suffered from a heart attack or stroke. In addition, it contains anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet compounds that can further benefit arterial health of the heart.
2. Natural Aphrodisiac
In Ayurvedic medicine, cinnamon is sometimes recommended for sexual dysfunction. Is there any validity to that recommendation? Animal research published in 2013 points towards cinnamon oil as a possible natural remedy for impotence. For the animal study subjects with age-induced sexual dysfunction, Cinnamomum cassia extract was shown to improve sexual function by effectively boosting both sexual motivation and erectile function.
3. Improves Blood Sugar Levels
In both human and animal models, cinnamon has been shown to have positive effects on insulin release, which means it can help keep blood sugar stable and therefore prevent chronic fatigue, moodiness, sugar cravings and overeating.In a study of 60 people with type 2 diabetes, three different amounts (one, three or six grams) of cinnamon supplementation taken for 40 days all resulted in lower blood glucose levels as well as lower levels of triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol. You can use a high grade, pure cinnamon oil in your food to reap its blood sugar benefits.
Of course, don’t overdo it because you don’t want your blood sugar to be too low either. Inhaling cinnamon essential oil can also help to keep unhealthy food cravings away.
4. For Skin, Hair and Lips
A study published in 2017 demonstrates how cinnamon bark essential oil can significantly stop the creation of several protein biomarkers that are involved in skin inflammation and tissue remodeling. With it’s anti-inflammatory properties, cinnamon oil can be an effective natural remedy for inflammatory skin concerns like rashes and acne. You can mix cinnamon essential oil with a carrier oil (like coconut oil) and apply it to the skin to take advantage of its antimicrobial capacity.Cinnamon oil can be a benefit for hair, too, with many beauty magazines recommending this spicy essential oil to boost hair health and growth.
You can combine a few drops of cinnamon oil with a carrier oil such as almond oil for a quick homemade scalp treatment.Using warming cinnamon oil for lips is a natural way to plump them by boosting circulation to this area. Combine two drops of cinnamon oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil for a great DIY lip plumper.
5. May Help with Weight Loss
Cinnamon is gaining a reputation for being a fat-burning food and valuable tool for weight loss. With its ability to balance blood sugar levels and sweeten the taste of foods without any added sugar, it’s very helpful for curbing a sweet tooth.A study published in the journal Metabolism demonstrates how cinnamaldehyde, a chemical compound found in cinnamon oil, may potentially help fat cells to burn energy. The study specifically shows how cinnamaldehyde activates thermogenic and metabolic responses in both animal and human fat cells, which can be beneficial to weight loss and obesity prevention. Unstable blood sugar can lead to overeating, low energy and weight gain, but adding cinnamon oil to fruit, tea, oats, baked goods or smoothies helps slow the rate at which glucose is released into the blood.
6. May Help Ulcers
A type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori is known to cause ulcers. When H. pylori is eradicated or reduced this can greatly help with ulcer symptoms. A controlled trial looked at the effects of taking 40 milligrams of a cinnamon extract twice daily for four weeks on 15 human patients known to be infected with H. pylori. While the cinnamon did not completely eradicate the H. pylori, it did reduce colonization of the bacteria to some extent and it was well-tolerated by patients. Research has also shown that a beneficial compound within cinnamon essential oil called eugenol may be one of the main reasons why cinnamon can help with ulcers. A study published in 2000 demonstrates how ethanol-induced gastric ulcers were “dose-dependently and significantly reduced by eugenol.” The eugenol decreased the number of ulcers as well as the severity of the ulcers.
7. Fights Parasites
Studies have found that cinnamon oil inhibits growth of certain harmful parasites, making it an excellent parasite treatment. One study published in 2014 in the Iranian Journal of Parasitology evaluated the effects of cinnamon and ginger on giardiasis, an intestinal infection caused by a giardia (G. lamblia) parasite. The study reveals the effectiveness of both ginger and cinnamon extracts as “promising natural therapeutic agents against G. lamblia.”
In vitro research also points towards cinnamon’s inhibitory effect on Plasmodium falciparum, which is a parasite that causes malaria humans. Researchers have found that cinnamon can help fight parasites by disturbing their amino acid biosynthesis, which is essential to their survival.
8. Helps Sore Throats
With its known anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects, cinnamon essential oil is a great choice for fighting infections like a sore throat.
Try drinking a combination of hot lemon water, honey and cinnamon oil first thing in the morning to improve a sore throat and boost immune function.These ingredients will work together to fight inflammation, reduce pain, and boost immune function making them a perfect sore throat remedy.
9. Deodorizes Your Home
You know the warm smells of the holidays that everyone loves filling their homes with during the fall and winter months? You can make your own natural home deodorizer and freshener by combining therapeutic scents like cinnamon, orange, lemon and cloves in a diffuser or homemade room spray.At the same time, you’ll experience a grounding, relaxing feeling and help detoxify the air.
10. Fights Fungal Infections
Is cinnamon oil good for toenail fungus? According to research published in 2016, cinnamon oil and olive oil display antifungal and antimicrobial activity against fungal strains like Candida albicans, which is often the cause of toenail fungus and other fungal infections. For natural toenail fungus treatment, try combining a few drops of cinnamon essential oil with olive oil or coconut oil and applying it to the problem areas.