It's just the first week of June for many, however, for those creative beings that pay respect to the olfaction, daily, this is the week when all things that smell good are celebrated. Happy National Fragrance Week!
National Fragrance Week is about celebrating cologne, perfume and all things good-smelling. That includes scented candles, potpourri, soaps and lotions, flowers, and even food.
To celebrate National Fragrance Week 2014, I'll highlight seven scents that are beneficial for healthy living, in this Olfactory Series.
Yesterday was the last day of National Fragrance Week, and I am concluding this series with my
top-favorite scent.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon oil is extracted both from the bark and leaves of small Cinnamon trees. Cinnamonaldehyde is the compound within the bark, that gifts us with that beautiful flavor and aroma. Aldehyde is antiviral, and Cinnamon bark contains 41-51% of it. Additionally, Cinnamon leaf contains 68-87% eugenol, an anesthetic, antimicrobial, antiseptic and antioxidant. Those numbers alone give insight into how beneficial Cinnamon oil is to healthy living. Cinnamon is recorded in the Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest Egyptian medical textbooks. The Ebers Papyrus dates back to 1550 BC, and contains over 700 health remedies.
Healthy Living Facts:
- Cinnamon bark essential oil killed 92% of gram negative and positive bacterial strains out of 25 tested. (International Journal of Food Microbiology, 2006)
- Cinnamon bark essential oil scored 42.5 (out of 50) in terms of anti-fungal activity. (Saurashtra University, India, 2006)
- Diffusing a blend of cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon and rosemary oils can kill 99% of airborne bacteria in 12 minutes.
Healthy Living Benefits:
- Balancing Sugar Levels - Cinnamon oil has been proven to reduce glucose levels in those with diabetes. It has especially been helpful for those with type 2 diabetes.
- Memory Loss - Research has shown that Cinnamon oil is beneficial in helping the brain with memory, stimulating brain activity, attention span, and being able to decrease nervous tension.
- Purification and Circulation of Blood - Cinnamon oil is thought to remove impurities from the blood. Also, pain caused by poor circulation can be reduced when using Cinnamon oil. Thus, ensuring the oxygen supply getting to the the cells.
- Breastfeeding - Cinnamon oil is believed to aid nursing mothers with a healthy supply of breast milk.
- Aromatherapy/Sex - Sex plays a major role in a healthy lifestyle. Cinnamon oil is used as an aphrodisiac, and is believed to arouse sexual desire.
Healthy Living Trivia:
- Cinnamon oil was a part (250 shekels or 6.25 lbs) of the Holy Anointing Oil recipe given by The Most High to Moses (Exodus 30).
- Cinnamon oil was one of the ingredients used in Four Thieves Vinegar (Marseilles Vinegar) recipe. During the 15th century this recipe protected people from the plague. Here's the kicker: The recipe was created by thieves who robbed graves during that time. Those thieves were workers in the spice industry.
- The original Coke® contained six essential oils, including cinnamon essential oil. Yes, the favorite beverage of choice, now ridiculed, had healthy benefits.
Thank you for giving your time to the Olfactory Series this week. I hope you walked away a bit more smarter, and are able to use the healthy living benefits. If so, thank you for letting me serve you in this way.
By the way, if the scent of Cinnamon has benefited you, share in the Comments.
Aromatically,
Consult a physician or certified aromatherapist before introducing essential oils into your healthy living regimen.
Source(s):
Martin, Nan, LSHC, CRTS. "The Health Benefits of Cinnamon Natural Anti-Inflammatory and Antiviral" ExperienceEssentialOils.com. 19 April 2014. Web. 8 June 2014
Organic Facts. "Health Benefits of Cinnamon Oil" OrganicFacts.net. 2 October 2007. Web. 8 June 2014
