Essential Oil Database

Photo: Cinnamomum Zeylanicum

Cinnamon Leaf

Essential Oil

Botanical Name:

Cinnamomum Zeylanicum

Family Name:

Lauraceae

Source Country:

Sri Lanka

Plant Parts Used:

Leaves

Extraction Method:

Steam distillation

Major Constituents:

Eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, benzyl benzoate, linalool, caryophyllene

Botanical Description

Photo: Cinnamomum Zeylanicum

Cinnamomum Zeylanicum is native to India and has been cultivated in tropical climes worldwide. It is a small evergreen tree commonly known as Cinnamon growing up to 15 meters tall. Cinnamon tree leaves and flowers have a distinct aroma.

Cinnamon bark has been used as a spice for thousands of years, and is used as a flavouring in sweet and savoury dishes throughout the world. Cinnamon is also used as a preservative.

Cinnamon is also used in traditional Eastern medicine.

Essential oil of cinnamon leaves has a different chemistry to that of the essential oil of tree bark and root bark.

Photo: Cinnamomum Zeylanicum

Fragrance

Cinnamon Leaf essential oil has a lively, warm, spicy, sweet aromatic scent.

Cinnamon Leaf essential oil is a yellow to brown liquid.

Cinnamon Leaf blends well with benzoin, bergamot, clove leaf, elemi, frankincense, ginger, lemon, lime, mandarin, sweet orange and ylang ylang.

Traditional Therapeutic Uses

Photo: Cinnamomum Zeylanicum

Properties: antiseptic, analgesic, antiviral, anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac, bactericidal, deodorant, fungicidal, insect repellent, purifier, sedative.

Aids: blood pressure, digestion, hypertension, immune system, recuperation

Alleviates: arthritis, athlete’s foot, cystitis, dandruff, fungal infection, herpes, muscle and joint pain, rheumatism, sores, sprains

Cinnamon is a useful aid to meditation.

Safety Data

Avoid use if pregnant.

Use very moderately and half the normal therapeutic guidelines to avoid irritation.

Use no more than one drop to bath water.

Disclaimer:

All healing uses, magical uses and metaphysical definitions are provided as a means of education, do not imply a guarantee of effect, and may not be complete or accurate. Those suffering from illness should consult with their General Practitioner in the first instance. Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary healthcare practice and should be carried out by a suitably qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Pure, medical grade, essential oils & absolutes are for use in aromatherapy and other disciplines of natural healing; and for their fragrance. Essential oils should not be ingested, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Pregnant women should not self administer essential oils. Do not administer essential oils to babies. Do not apply undiluted essential oil to the skin and wash hands after use and before visiting lavatory. Do not use essential oils while in a sauna, steam room, or other humid environment; or while engaged in strenuous exercise.

Massage oil should consist of no more than 3% essential oil(s) to 97% carrier or fixed oil. Absolutes should be blended with no less than 98.5% carrier oil. When adding essential oil to bath water do not use more than 4 drops.

Store essential oils at low room temperature, in a dark place, out of the reach of children, pets and away from foodstuffs.