Cinnamon Essential Oil
Warm, Stimulating & Comforting
Cinnamon, Cinnamomum verum, (also known as Cinnamomum zeylanicum or “Ceylon cinnamon”), carries a warm, spicy-sweet aroma that has been valued for thousands of years. Once more valuable than gold during the spice trade, true cinnamon remains a cherished oil used for wellness, perfumery, and emotional comfort. Steam distilled from the bark or leaves of the cinnamon tree, the oil is very potent and must always be properly diluted before skin application.
Topically, cinnamon essential oil can increase surface circulation, making it a soothing and warming addition to massage blends intended for stiff joints or tired muscles.
Its natural antiseptic qualities also make it beneficial for oily or congested skin, though only when mixed into a carrier oil at low dilution due to its strength and potential for irritation.
Aromatherapy Properties: A physical and emotional stimulant that warms, uplifts, and eases tension. Cinnamon’s comforting scent may help reduce drowsiness and irritability, improve focus, and support mental clarity. Diffused in small amounts, it creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere while easing stress, anxiety, and depressed mood.
Cinnamon vs. Cassia — What’s the Difference?
While hundreds of cinnamon species exist worldwide, two dominate the market:
Cinnamomum verum (True Cinnamon / Ceylon Cinnamon)
- Its name means true cinnamon
- Originally from Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon)
- Thin, soft bark with many delicate layers
- Light, gently sweet flavor
- More expensive and less common
Cinnamomum aromaticum (Cassia / Chinese Cinnamon)
- Native to southern China
- Stronger, bolder, more pungent flavor
- Bark is thick, hard, and curls as one solid layer
- Cheaper and more widely available — most U.S. “cinnamon” is cassia
In the U.S., both may be labeled simply cinnamon, but many other countries require cassia to be labeled accurately. If your cinnamon stick is thick and rolls in a single hard coil, it’s cassia — not Ceylon cinnamon.
Cinnamon Bark vs. Cinnamon Leaf — What’s the Difference?
Both oils come from Cinnamomum verum, but their chemistry — and how they behave on the skin — is very different.
Cinnamon Bark Oil
- Steam distilled from the tree bark
- Higher in cinnamaldehyde (strong antimicrobial + antiviral activity)
- Warm, bold, spicy aroma — the classic "cinnamon" scent
- Potent and more likely to irritate skin → must be well diluted
Cinnamon Leaf Oil
- Steam distilled from the leaves
- Rich in eugenol (valued for its mild analgesic properties)
- Softer, less intense aroma than bark or cassia
- Gentler on skin and easier to use in topical blends
Pregnancy and Children: We do not provide information on the safety of essential oils during Pregnancy or for use in Children because the available information is very ambiguous and often contradictory. If you’re interested in using essential oils during pregnancy or with young children please do your own research and consult your doctor, midwife, or health care professional before use.
Precautions: If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, have a medical condition, or have any medical concerns regarding yourself or your family consult a qualified, licensed health professional prior to use. For external use only. Keep away from eyes and mucous membranes. Keep out of reach of children.
