Cinnamon essential oil is excellent for use in blends, in your diffuser, and around the house. Learn 21 Uses for Cinnamon Oil, its benefits, and how to use it safely and effectively.

There are so many oils I love, but cinnamon oil is one of my favorites.
Of course, I love the aroma of cinnamon, which is excellent in a diffuser blend.
(Especially around the holidays - try mixing it with clove bud oil. The scent of cinnamon and clove will boost your holiday spirit in no time!)
But the real reason that I love it so much is for all the great ways that you can use Cinnamon Essential Oil. Let's take a look at some of my favorite ways, many of which I learned while in aromatherapy school.
21 WAYS TO USE CINNAMON ESSENTIAL OIL
- Add a drop of cinnamon bark on the feet (diluted) or add it to a foot bath for fungal foot infections such as athlete's foot.
- Mix two drops with a carrier oil and apply to the stomach to calm digestive spasms, indigestion, and nausea. (This is one of my favorite cinnamon essential oil benefits.)
- To repel flies, apply diluted to exposed skin and dab on clothing. (This works on biting flies too! But remember – this is not for kids.)
- Feeling down? Diffuse cinnamon bark oil in your home or office. It can help to lift your mood.
- Add a drop to potpourri in your home. Research has found that the scent can help reduce the pain and frequency of headaches, reduce drowsiness and irritability.
- Use cinnamon oil to help to prevent the flu and other illness! In 2008, French researchers showed that in concentrations of 10% or less, cinnamon oil is effective against Staphylococcus, E. coli, and several antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Try diffusing it in your home during cold and flu season. It isn't a substitute for frequent cleaning and hand washing, but every bit helps.
- Use as a natural way to prevent head lice. If you know it is going around your kid's school, an excellent preventative treatment is to add 4 drops to 1 ounce vinegar and 1 ounce water. Use as a hair rinse. (Use extreme caution to not get in the eyes. Perform a skin patch test and use extra caution with children. Do not use on children under 10.)
- Do you have cold feet at night? Add a drop (diluted) to your feet just before bed.
- Use to stimulate digestion. An added benefit? It has antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
- Having difficulty with concentration and focus? Diffuse a blend of 2 drops cinnamon, 2 drops rosemary and 5 drops lemon. Just smelling cinnamon has been shown to improve brain activity.
- Use cinnamon oil to stabilize blood sugar. Studies have shown that a key cinnamon oil benefit is that it can normalize blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics by improving the ability to respond to insulin.
- Add to a smoothie or use in cooking. Cinnamon aids in the metabolic process by increasing the action of enzymes that break down food.
- Feeling achy? Add a drop to a carrier oil to relax tight muscles, ease painful joints and relieve menstrual cramps.
- Avoid the chemical compound triclosan, which is common in antibacterial sanitizers. Instead, make your own with cinnamon oil, lemon oil, eucalyptus, and rosemary combined with a carrier oil.
- Use it to support healthy blood pressure! According to a study in the Journal Nutrition, consuming cinnamon daily may help to reduce your blood pressure by up to 5 points. Simply add cinnamon oil to your favorite lotion.
- Exercise too hard? Cinnamon to the rescue. According to research from the International Journal of Preventative Medicine, Women who consumed cinnamon daily experienced a decrease in muscle soreness from exercise.
- Use to reduce period pain! Researchers from the Faculty of Nursing at Egypt's Mansoura University found that massaging the abdomen 10 minutes a day for seven days prior to the start of menstruation helped with painful menses that were accompanied by heavy bleeding. Mix 1.5 parts cinnamon, 1.5 parts clove, 1 part lavender, and 1 part rose. Dilute with sweet almond oil at 5% dilution.
- Use it to treat bites and stings! Dilute 1 drop of cinnamon and one drop of lavender with a carrier oil.
- Use it in cooking! Cinnamon is "Generally Recognized as Safe" by the FDA. I like using a toothpick so I can control the amount easily. Just don't overdo it!
- Low Libido? Cinnamon is said to be an aphrodisiac. Try diffusing it in your room.
- Add it to cleaning products to prevent mold and mildew.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cinnamon Oil Uses
Cinnamon Essential Oil has numerous benefits including the ability to stimulate the immune system, alleviate digestive discomfort, stimulate the libido, help relieve occasional cold and flu symptoms, support healthy inflammation response, support healthy circulation and support diabetes symptoms.
Cinnamon Bark Oil is derived from tropical evergreen trees that grow up to 45 feet high and has fragrant leaves, flowers and bark. Recorded use of Cinnamon dates back to Chinese journals as early as 2700 B.C. This reddish brown spicy oil is obtained from the trees bark or leaf.
Antibacterial
Anticoagulant
Antidepressant
Antifungal
Anti-Infectious
Anti-Inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Antioxidant
Antiparasitic
Antiseptic
Antiviral
Astringent
Warming
Include cinnamon in oil blends that include: cardamom, carrot seed, lavender, frankincense, grapefruit, jasmine, mandarin, orange, lemon, palo Santo, rosemary, rose Otto, tangerine, tea tree and yang-yang.
For adults, it should be diluted in in 1:4 ratio of oils to carrier oil. Cinnamon is a hot oil and you should avoid using it on sensitive areas.
I do not recommend cinnamon bark essential oil being used on children under 10.
If you use a cinnamon mixture that is too hot, do not attempt to wash it off. Rather, add additional oil to the area. Use care as it may cause erupted nasal membranes.
You may use VERY small amounts of cinnamon essential oil in cooking, but I do not recommend ingesting it therapeutic unless under the guidance of a Certified Aromatherapist.
It is important to remember that it is not a dietary supplement.
It is antibacterial, anticoagulant, antidepressant, anti fungal, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti parasitic, antiseptic, antiviral and astringent.
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If you have or suspect you may have a medical, psychological, or psychiatric problem, or a disability that requires medical attention, then you should consult your licensed medical doctor or appropriate health care provider.
Always consult your medical doctor regarding your medical care. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Misty Janusik
There is a spelling error in number 1. Athletes foot
Robin Bricker
I'm just wondering, I bought cinnamon oil for diabetes and was looking how to use it. Your number 11 says it will help, which I knew, but what I don't know, is how should I use it to achieve my goal?
diana
Thank u for the oil facts
fitness
Wendy Polisi, thanks so much for the post.Really thank you! Great.
Tinh Dau Haku
I really like Cinnamon scent, I've diffused it for a long time, and never knew Cinnamon can reduce pain, interesting!
Thank you for great post, Wendy!
Melissa
Hi. I read your info about cinnamon oil. Can you tell me what cinnamon you are referring to? Bark? Leaf? Or cassia? Plant therapy sells all three kinds.
Wendy Polisi
Bark
Nicole Wilder
This is such good information! So far I have just been using it in making soaps but good to know, thanks!
Kim Seghers
I have never used cinnamon essential oils, though it's one I would love to try! I saw you have it's good for headaches ..does it help with migraines? Would love to know if it does!
Gina Hidalgo
I knew cinnamon had a lot of good uses, but I never imagined it had so many! Thank you for this extensive list!
Brianne
Wow! I didn't know there that many uses for cinnamon! I don't have any essential oils, but I have friends who do. I will share this with them.
Natasha D'Anna
love the goodness essential oil has brought to my life personally. thanks for the key point on cinnamon
Shraddha Tripathi
This is a very informative post. I am an Indian, here we used cinnamon in our spices and many things. It is very good for our health and body.
Cindy Ingalls
I had no idea cinnamon oil had so many benefits. I can't wait to add it to my essential oil collection so I can start reaping its benefits.
Anosa
I did not know it has so many uses and flu prevention is not one I would have thought of.
Dom Dalston
Hello Wendy, you have collected some really delicious uses for cinnamon oil here. I especially like the idea of using it for a soothing foot soak and I never knew it was an antidepressant. What a great way to raise vibration and improve mood. Reading your blog is such a pleasure.
Melissa Dixon
I just love the smell of cinnamon, I have never thought about using the oil. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for me. Thanks!