Cinnamon is a preferred spice because of its distinct earthy and woody aroma. It has been used for thousands of years for both its scent and taste. This substance is taken from the cinnamon tree, a plant that is native to India and Sri Lanka. Cinnamon oil is extracted from the bark and leaves of the tree. Aside from being a food spice it is now being used for medicinal and commercial purposes.
As an alternative medicinal treatment, there are many benefits of taking cinnamon oil that we can take advantage of. Modern research and studies have found that there are many powerful chemicals that are contained in cinnamon oil that can kill bacteria, fungus and other harmful pathogens. The main component of cinnamon oil is a substance called cinnamaldehyde. It comprises 60 of the oil. Other chemicals, such as ethyl cinnamate, benzyl benzoate, eugenol acetate, methyl chavicol, beta-caryophyllene and linalool make up the rest of the components.
It is this unique combination of substances that makes cinnamon oil a very effective anti-microbial agent. One of the major medicinal benefits of cinnamon oil is its ability to control blood sugar. This is great news for people that have type 2 diabetes, as they now have a natural method of stabilizing their blood sugar levels. There are many other claimed health benefits, including prevention of premature aging, lowering of blood pressure and the control of inflammation.
Cinnamon oil is also widely used in the production of soaps and astringents as well as in the preservation of food products. This is due to its anti-septic and anti-microbial properties where it can inhibit the growth of molds, fungus and bacteria.
There are also some practical uses of cinnamon oil in the home. If you have a problem with mosquitoes, you can drop some of the oil in stagnant water near your home and the population of mosquitoes will be controlled. Place a few drops of the oil in your wash load and the mosquitoes will not be able to get near you. You can also dab cinnamon oil in your light bulb, and when you put the lights on, its sweet aromatic scent will fill your room.
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