Cinnamon Bark Oil

I remember the rich spicy aromas that wafted through my grandmothers kitchen when she made the annual Christmas cake in late November - no last minute Christmas cake baking for her!

I loved to watch her combine the various spices and grind them up on her chopping board - I don't think she ever owned a mortar and pestle.

As she ground away, smushing the spices into one glorious, aromatic mess the scent of cinnamon tended to dominate the air.

To this day I cannot smell cinnamon oil or spice without being transported back  to her kitchen and helping her bake.

I thought that nothing evokes the scent of Christmas better than wonderful Cinnamon Bark oil as opposed to Cinnamon Leaf oil.

You see, there are two Cinnamon oils available on the  essential oil market.

Cinnamon Leaf and Cinnamon Bark.

At Moon Haven we use both.

Cinnamon Leaf Oil does not contain cinnamaldehyde and so is less of a skin irritant than the bark oil, yet it is the  Cinnamaldehyde which gives Cinnamon Bark Oil its incredible spicy scent.

Cinnamaldehyde is also largely responsible for the antibacterial properties of Cinnamon oil

So at Moon Haven we use Cinnamon Leaf when we are formulating something to be used on the skin and Cinnamon Bark oil when we want the cinnamony scent,

Cinnamon Bark Oil is best for when we want to utilise its strong antibacterial properties or require a definite scent of spice.  Of course it is always used in a very diluted form when used anywhere near the body

Cinnamon Bark Oil Monograph

Botanical Name: Cinnamomum zeylancium

Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled

Part Typically Used: Bark

Colour: Golden Yellow/Brown

Consistency: Slightly oily feeling

Perfumery Note: Middle

Strength of Aroma: Strong

Aroma: Much richer in aroma than ground cinnamon. (Ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks is usually not cinnamon at all but is usually cassia)

Cinnamon Essential Oil is peppery, earthy, spicy, bright yet slightly woodsy.

Oil distilled from the bark of the cinnamon tree is aromatically preferred over the oil distilled from the leaves for its true cinnamon scent. Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil, however, tends to be much more costly and is considered as a skin irritant -so I advise caution for all skin applications and only use it in highly diluted forms.

Blends Well With: Frankincense, Sweet Orange, Sandalwood, Cypress, Rosemary
Common Uses:  Constipation, exhaustion, flatulence, lice, low blood pressure, rheumatism, scabies, stress - an excellent antibacterial.
Cautions: Due to the high levels of Cinnamaldehyde (which can be a skin irritant) in Cinnamon Bark, it is recommend that Cinnamon Bark Oil is used at  dilutions of 0.7% or less in any formulation.

For example it is recommended that you do not use any more than 1 drop in 7 ml of base or carrier oil when applied to the skin.
There is no limit on the rate of use when used aromatically.... but as it is a 'hot' oil it is recommended that you use some caution when sniffing undiluted cinnamon oil as it could irritate your delicate nose hairs!

Suggested Formulations:

Scent of Christmas Spray Blend

Make up this blend in a 100 ml bottle with a spray nozzle and use as needed.

• 5 drops Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil
• 5  drops Patchouli Essential Oil
• 10 drops Rosemary  Essential Oil
• 10  drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil
• 50 ml Vodka

Distilled water

 Method:

1. Blend the essential oils and vodka in a 100ml spray bottle.
2. Add the water to fill to 100 ml
3. Spray where you want a warm spicy Christmas scent.

Note: The essential oil blend is fantastic as a diffuser / oil burner blend - just use 1 drop of Cinnamon Bark and Patchouli and 2 drops of Rosemary and Sweet Orange.

Spice Potpourri

1. Gather together any of the following spices:
   1. Star Anise
   2. Cinnamon Quills
   3. Whole Cloves
   4. Whole Nutmeg
2. Add in dried gum leaves, gum nuts,  flowers, seed pods and cones
3. Mix all the dried material together
4. Add about 2 % in weight of the Christmas Spray Essential Oil Blend.

   For example if you have 100 grams of potpourri add 2 grams (40 drops) of essential oil blend.

5. Place your finished potpourri in a bowl near your door so visitors can be greeted by the waft of spice when they arrive.