Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil

Ceylon cinnamon bark essential oil — warmer, deeper, and more peppery than the powdered spice. A potent oil with a long medicinal and culinary history dating to 2700 B.C. in Chinese herbal records.

Botanical profile

• Latin name: Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Ceylon cinnamon)
• Origin: Sourced from China
• Extraction: Steam distilled from the bark
• Aroma: Warm, spicy, peppery, herbaceous — somewhere between clove and cinnamon, deeper than ground cinnamon. Bright yet slightly woody.
• Perfumery note: Middle to base
• Blends well with: Clove, orange, ginger, frankincense, ylang ylang, vanilla, rosemary

Traditional uses & properties

• First documented medicinally in Chinese formularies around 2700 B.C.
• Used historically in Egyptian foot massage blends
• An ingredient in mulled wines, love potions, and birthing rituals across many traditions
• Considered warming and uplifting in aromatherapy

History

Cinnamon bark has been used as a spice and medicine for nearly five thousand years. The Egyptians valued it highly enough to import it across the Indian Ocean; in medieval Europe it was an ingredient in everything from spiced wines to medicinal tonics. Ceylon (Sri Lankan) cinnamon — the species in this oil — is the original 'true' cinnamon.

Main constituents

Cinnamic aldehyde, eugenol, eugenol acetate, benzyl benzoate

How to use

Use cinnamon bark essential oil in a diffuser only — for skin applications, use cinnamon LEAF essential oil (a different product) in heavy dilution. Warm and inviting in winter blends.

Safety

DO NOT APPLY TO SKIN — for diffuser use only. Cinnamon bark is a strong skin sensitizer and mucous membrane irritant. Avoid with kidney or liver issues, hemophilia, prostatic cancer, or while taking anticoagulants. For skin applications, use cinnamon leaf oil (a different product) in heavy dilution.

Storage

Store sealed in a cool, dark place. Most essential oils keep 1-3 years; citrus oils oxidize faster — best within 12 months.

This information is for educational purposes only. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Always dilute essential oils for skin application; patch test before first use; keep away from children and pets.