Cinnamon - Healing with Comfort & Warmth

Cinnamon has been used for hundreds of years to assist with conditions that are brought by cold weather. Its natural effects of warming and calming assist with making us feel comforted, soothed and generally 'looked after'. The antiviral properties of Cinnamon are extremely useful during the 'change of season' from warm to cool and cool to warm, (that is, Autumn and Spring) but beneficial anytime for its other uses such as a digestive stimulant, or by topical application for insect stings.


It has to be amongst one of the easiest healing spices to obtain by either sourcing the bark shavings as 'quills', or the ground Cinnamon we are all probably familiar with from baking. Adding ground Cinnamon to your coffee or tea will make you feel good if you have been out in cold weather or if you've had a traumatic situation. Often the shock of extreme weather conditions or unfavourable behaviour, and sometimes even 'bad news' can affect our immune system, and this shock if not treated with a restorative therapy can bring on illness. Cinnamon is antiviral and antibacterial, as well as calming yet stimulating...so it can address shock, fright or trauma and assist with re-balancing the physical and emotional bodies. It is excellent for use with children who are feeling nauseated and / or nervous. A small shake of ground Cinnamon into a warm oatmilk (or cows milk) will help them feel better quickly.


Cinnamon Essential Oil is volatile, and will burn skin if applied directly without dilution. Using a blend of Cinnamon with Ginger in a small amount of carrier oil (Avocado, Sweet Almond, Cottonseed, Wheatgerm) will enable it to be used as a gentle massage oil for cold feet & hands, or on the back to stimulate blood flow to these areas. When used like this it can help to move congestion in the lungs, or help soothe arthritic symptoms. A simple blend to use is 15ml carrier oil with 3 drops *Cinnamon Essential Oil, and 2 drops Ginger Essential Oil. (caution: do not rub vigorously! *only gentle sweeping motions with the hands and only massage for about 30 seconds, then cover the area with a light cloth or light clothing to keep warm)
To treat someone for overt shock, or trauma from cold, run a deep lukewarm bath and add 5 drops of Cinnamon Oil and 10 drops of Rescue Remedy. Allow them to soak for around 5minutes and then assist them into light clothing and a comfortable bed.  Administer Rescue Remedy again under the tongue or in a cup of water.

Cinnamon is one of the ingredients in Chai Tea and also an ingredient in the Vital Spice Energy Mist from HolisticTherapyConnections.com.

sources: The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants by Andrew Chevelier