Cinnamon Essential Oil: Uses, Remedies, Side Effects, Ayurveda Details

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Cinnamon is a widely used spice, an aromatic condiment and flavoring additive in many traditional foods, which has been used from ages. It is an essential kitchen ingredient. 

It is called Twak in Ayurveda and has been used as an important medicine or an ingredient of many useful herbal medicinal compounds and formulations. It is obtained from the internal bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamon.
Botanical name is Cinnamomum zeylanica.

The flavor and aroma of Cinnamon is derived from its essential oil and principal component, cinnamaldehyde and also other important ingredients like eugenol.
Read related: Cinnamon Benefits, Dose, Home Remedies, Side Effects

Cinnamon Essential Oil

Cinnamon essential oil is extracted through the steam distillation process from the cinnamon bark. The oil has a sweet and calming aroma. It instantly soothes the mind. Cinnamon essential oil is of two types –

Cinnamon leaf essential oil – derived from leaves of cinnamon, yellowish in color.
Composition – Eugenol, Eugenyl acetate, Linalool, (E)-Cinnamyl acetate, Benzyl benzoate

Cinnamon bark essential oil – derived from bark of cinnamon, reddish-brown in color
Composition – (E) – Cinnamaldehyde, Eugenol, (E) – Cinnamyl acetate, Linalool, B-Caryophyllene, p-Cymene
Both these oils have different chemical compositions but serve the same health benefits.

Combos
Cinnamon oil makes good combination with clove, grapefruit, rose, orange, lavender, lemon, nutmeg, peppermint and Ylang-ylang essential oils. It also blends well with other citrus essential oils.

Safety information, Side effects

Tisserand and Young indicate that both bark and leaf essential oil is low risk for mucous membrane irritation. They may inhibit blood clotting and pose a drug interaction hazard. CEO may cause embryo-toxicity and is contraindicated in pregnancy and breast-feeding.

There is a high risk that the bark oil causes skin sensitization. Tisserand and Young recommend a dermal maximum of 0.07% for the bark oil. They recommend a maximum of 0.6% for dermal application of leaf oil.

(Ref – Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety, second edition, United Kingdom, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014)

Do not take any essential oils through mouth and do not apply undiluted essential oils or other concentrated essences and absolutes onto the skin without a precise knowledge of essential oils and their composition and safety or without consultation from a qualified doctor or qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, cancer or any other medical problem, use essential oils only under proper guidance or a qualified aromatherapy practitioner.
Take extreme caution when using oils with children and avoid in kids below age of 6 years.

Properties

Properties of Cinnamon Essential Oil (CEO)

Cinnamon essential oil is –
Antibacterial – Gets rid of airborne bacteria when used in aromatherapy
Antiseptic – Cures wounds, prevents fatal septics
Analgesic – Relieves pain
Antifungal,
Antidepressant – Removes negative thoughts by its calming properties, excellent in treating depression
Astringent – Topical application helps in tightening the skin
Immune-stimulant
Detoxifying agent – Volatile compounds in the oil help in detoxifying the body
Carminative – Eases bloating, helps passage of intestinal gas
Galactogogue – Helps in enhancing breast milk production

Health benefits

Health Benefits of Cinnamon oil:
Boosts Brain Functions

• CEO is an excellent brain tonic.
• It improves brain function
• It enhances brain activity (proved by studies) – Sniffing CEO has shown to better cognitive activities including enhanced attention, better virtual recognition memory, working memory and visual-motor response speed, improves concentration and focus
• Helps in warding off the stress
• Relieves anxiety
• Good in combating memory loss and memory related disorders
• Diffuse a blend of 2 drops of CEO, 2 drops of rosemary and 5 drops lemon essential oil. This helps in improving concentration and focus.
• Just smelling cinnamon has been shown to improve brain activity.

Improves Blood Circulation

• Blood thinning compounds of cinnamon helps in enhancing blood circulation. Sniffing CEO helps improve blood circulation.
• By improving blood circulation CEO relieves pain and enhances oxygenation to the tissues.
• It helps patients of arterial disease.
• It prevents heart attacks. For this, 3ml of CEO should be consumed every day.

Cures Inflammation

CEO is a good anti-inflammatory medicine. It helps in reducing inflammation related to muscles and joints and reduces stiffness in these regions. Therefore it is beneficial in inflammatory disorders and arthritis.

Antioxidant

Being an antioxidant, CEO is a good remedy for skin diseases, acne and cancer. It helps flush out cancerous cells and free radicals from the body.

Cures respiratory problems

• CEO is a good decongestant. It helps to combat throat congestion and sore throat.
• CEO is an excellent remedy for cold and influenza. The oil may be sniffed or consumed to get the benefits of its decongestant benefits.
• The oil being a potent antifungal, helps kill respiratory tract fungi. Thus it is a good remedy for respiratory tract mycoses.
• In 2008, French researchers showed that in concentrations of 10% or less, cinnamon oil is effective against Staphylococcus, E. COLI and several antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. Try diffusing it in your home during cold and flu season.

Good for Heart diseases

Good quantities of calcium and fiber in CEO help in protecting from heart diseases and related complications. Fibers also help in improving digestion. CEO when included in the food helps prevent coronary artery diseases and high blood pressure.

According to a study in the journal ‘Nutrition’, consuming cinnamon daily may help to reduce your blood pressure by up to 5 points.

CEO can naturally help keep arteries clear and free from dangerous plaque buildup. The nitric oxide is normally produced in the interior surface of the arteries (endothelium). But when the plaque builds up, the disease called atherosclerosis forms. This means you have a decreased ability to produce nitric oxide. Cinnamon helps foster nitric oxide production, it is beneficial for people with heart disease or who have suffered from a heart attack or stroke. It also contains anti-platelet compounds that further benefit the health of the arteries and heart.

Anti-Diabetes
CEO helps in blood sugar control. Therefore it is effective for patients of diabetes.

As per research works – cinnamon regulates blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains MHCP (a water soluble polyphenol). It supports insulin and thus reduces the risk of diabetes.

Studies have shown that cinnamon can normalize blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes by improving the ability to respond to insulin

Cinnamon has positive effects on insulin release. It helps in keeping the blood sugar stable and prevent chronic fatigue, mood disturbances, craving for sugar and overeating associated with diabetes.

Inhalation of CEO helps to keep cravings away, to possibly make feel full faster too.

Cinnamon oil can be allowed to waft through the dining room by using it in diffuser. Alternatively few drops of CEO can be applied to chest, wrists and clothes.

Improves digestion
Cinnamon is used in many ethnic recipes. It adds flavor to the food. It is also an effective remedy for treating stomach problems like indigestion, nausea, vomiting, and stomach upsets, diarrhea and flatulence.

CEO helps reduce gas from the stomach and intestines.

According to Food and Drug Association (FDA) – Cinnamon reduces acidity, combats diarrhea, indigestion, nausea and other related stomach disorders.

Add CEO to a smoothie or use in cooking. It aids in metabolic process by increasing the action of enzymes that break down food.

Provides Pain Relief
CEO alleviates pains including joint stiffness, muscle pulls and muscle aches.

Mix 3 drops of CEO in 2 spoon of carrier oil. Massage the painful area with this oil. Test for skin sensitivity before applying. Stress related aches, back pain and muscle knots are best soothed by regular application of this oil.

Relief for Arthritis
Cinnamon oil is either individually or in combination with other effective anti-rheumatic essential oils provides good relief to patients of arthritis.

4-5 drops of CEO should be mixed with suitable base oil (coconut or mustard oil preferably). This should be made warm. This warm essential oil should be massaged on the painful joints every day.

Helps in effective functioning of kidneys
CEO helps in promoting effective functioning of kidneys. It helps preventing the damage of kidneys caused by environmental toxins.

CEO helps in warding UTI (urinary tract infections) and relieves pain associated with it. This is possible due to the antifungal and antimicrobial properties of cinnamon which are capable of killing the infections related to urinary tract.

To get instant relief from pain related with urinary tract infections one should take warm tub bath wherein essential oils of one or more of cinnamon, eucalyptus and tea tree oil are added.

Promotes hair growth and reduces hair problems
Few drops of CEO added in hair mask promote proper blood circulation in the scalp by providing vital nutrients to hair follicles. Thus CEO helps in promoting hair growth.

CEO helps in warding hair related problems including scalp itch and dandruff. This is possible due to the antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of CEO (due to presence of eugenol and cinnamaldehyde)

2-3 drops of CEO can be added to regular hair oil and massaged through the scalp. The scalp and hairs should be shampooed after 2-3 hours of application.

Heals Skin
CEO is good for skin. It soothes the skin. Due to its anti-microbial action it is extensively used for application in presence of skin conditions like ruptures, rashes and acne.

Few drops of CEO mixed with coconut oil (carrier oil) shall be applied over the afflicted skin area.

Relieves Toothache
Eugenol content of CEO helps in warding toothache and gum related troubles. It is also a good substitute for clove essential oil.

Few drops of CEO should be dropped on a cotton ball. This cotton ball should be kept between sore teeth. This soothes the aching tooth and reduces the pain effectively.

Cures Headache
Volatile oil in the CEO helps in proper blood circulation and helps in relieving headache.
CEO shall be diffused in the room or few drops of the oil be dropped on the pillow for relief from headache.

Cures Sore Throat
Nasal congestion is often a cause of throat soreness.
Inhalation of CEO helps in clearing the mucus filled nasal passage. It stops the mucus buildup in the nose.

Oral consumption – When few drops of CEO are taken mixed with warm lemon water and honey, it helps in soothing the throat inflammation. It also alleviates the throat pain and soothes sore throats.

Enhances Sexual Desire – CEO is a good aphrodisiac. It helps in arousing sexual desire in both men and women. Low libido and erectile dysfunction are also caused by poor circulation. Aged and clogged arteries make it difficult for the reproductive organs to receive enough blood, oxygen and nutrients. The compounds in CEO help in erectile dysfunction. They help enhance blood flow by influencing the enzymes in the nitric oxide pathway. CEO is thus a natural remedy for impotence.

Regulates Menstruation
CEO helps in soothing the abdominal cramps associated with menstrual periods in women. It also regulates the periods.

Researchers from the Faculty of Nursing at Egypt’s Mansoura University found that massaging the abdomen 10 minutes a day for 7 days prior to menstrual period helped with painful menses that were accompanied by heavy bleeding.

Mix 1/5 parts CEO, 1.5 parts clove essential oil, 1 part lavender oil and 1 part rose oil. Dilute with sweet almond oil at 5% dilution.

Other Benefits of Cinnamon Essential Oil
In cooking – CEO is good for cooking. It is generally recognized as Safe by the FDA.

Natural home deodorizer – You can make your own natural home deodorizer and freshener by combining therapeutic scents like cinnamon, orange, lemon and cloves. You will also experience grounding, relaxing feeling and help detoxify the air.

Birth Control – CEO is one of the natural ways of birth control.
Promotes Lactation – Cinnamon aids in the secretion of healthy breast milk.
Diuretic – CEO is a good diuretic. It regulates urination.

Helps to reduce weight – Cinnamon is one of the fat-burning and sugar controlling herb. Diabetes and obesity are inter-related. Addition of CEO in foods and tea helps slow down the release of glucose in the blood, thus leading to weight loss.

Unstable blood sugar can lead to overeating, low energy and weight gain. Addition of CEO to fruit, tea, oats, baked goods or smoothies helps to slow the rate at which glucose is released into the blood.

Reduces ulcers – Pain related to all types of ulcers in the body is soothed by eugenol ingredient present in CEO. It also helps in curbing the intensity of ulcer relapse in the mucous membrane.

Reduces exercise induced soreness – According to research from the International Journal of Preventive Medicine, Women who consumed cinnamon daily experienced a decrease in muscle soreness from exercise.

Fights parasites – CEO diminishes the growth of harmful parasites in the body, especially when used in combination with other essential oils like those of oregano, thyme and cumin.

For Head lice – Add 4 drops to 1 ounce vinegar and 1 ounce water. Use this as hair rinse. Use extreme caution to not get it in the eyes. Perform a skin patch test and used extra caution with children.

For bites and stings – Dilute 1 drop of cinnamon oil and one drop of lavender with carrier oil.
To prevent mold and mildew – Add CEO to clean product
Cold feet – If you have cold feet, add a drop of CEO to your hot tea just before bed.

For fuller lips – CEO when mixed with cassia essential oil and used over the lips, help making it look fuller and appealing.
Mouth freshener – CEO features in chewing gums and other mouth freshener products. It helps promote tooth health and reduces bad breath.

Good insect repellent & mosquito killer – Cinnamon leaf essential oil is one of the most powerful anti-insect solutions and a mosquito repellent. It is fatal to the mosquito larvae. The journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (a renowned scientific journal) has reported on a research conducted at the National Taiwan University. Apart from its leaves, cinnamon bark is also good sources of cinnamaldehyde, which is an active mosquito-killing agent. Recent research suggests that Cinnamomum cassia oil has the potential to be used as a natural antibacterial agent in food industry. Research has also proven that oil obtained from the leaves and twigs of cinnamon can be used for controlling mites that negatively affect honey bees.

Perfume – CEO is used in many perfumes due to its addictive aroma.

Spiritual Benefits – Among the Shat Chakras, CEO is related to and balances the lower chakras. By balancing the lower chakras, CEO helps in enhancing self-acceptance, self-confidence and clearing of trauma in human beings by elevating the sense of belongingness and security.

Alternatives for Cinnamon oil

If you are allergic to cinnamon essential oil, you can use substitutes in its place. They are –

• Cassia essential oil
• Cypress essential oil
• Wintergreen essential oil
• Wild orange essential oil
• Frankincense essential oil

How to use

How to use Cinnamon Essential Oil

As Massage Oil – Massage oil made of CEO as a base works good in relieving muscle and joint pain.

In the diffuser – When used through a diffuser, the warmth and sweet aroma imparted by cinnamon essential oil helps in opening up the heart and mind. It relieves stress and depression.

Precautions

Dangers of Using Cinnamon Essential Oil

Generally CEO is highly concentrated in nature. Therefore precaution should be taken before using the CEO. Follow the below mentioned precautions before use –

• Test before use – Before using CEO, test for its sensitivity by applying it on your feet.
• Dilute it – Remember to dilute CEO with other carrier oils before using. Don’t use as such. Using without proper dilution, especially topical use, can lead to burns and skin sensitivity.
• Don’t inhale – Do not inhale CEO directly from the bottle. It may cause irritation in the nasal passages.
• Not for kids – Don’t use CEO for kids under 6 years of age.
• Avoid contact – with eyes, nose and ears
• Don’t over use – Do not overuse CEO as it may cause serious troubles.

Interactions, limitations

Interactions, concerns and limitations of use of CEO

CEO is generally considered safe for use. There is also a chance that certain people might react to essential oils if they have sensitivity to certain compounds in these oils.

Sensitive people may possibly experience allergic reactions when CEO is topically used. These reactions may be in the form of irritation of skin, itching and rashes spreading over the body.

Therefore it is good to do a skin test on a small patch of skin (mainly in the legs) using a new CEO to make sure that it doesn’t affect you badly.

On oral consumption you may sometimes you may experience nausea, stomach pain and diarrhea. In that case you need to stop taking the oil immediately.

Few people have also complained of burning sensation and pain while taking CEO, especially those having ulcers in the mouth.

If you have highly sensitive heartbeat and cardiovascular system, cinnamon may react with the medications which you are taking and cause dyspnoea. In these cases you need to discontinue using cinnamon and talk to your doctor.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most of the dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Research, Studies

Studies, research and history related to CEO

Cinnamon has a pretty long history. It is considered as one of the longest-existing spices in human history. Cinnamon was highly valued by ancient Egyptians and has been used by Ayurvedic and Chinese practitioners in Asia for thousands of years. They have been tried successfully in treating many types of psycho-somatic illnesses. It is used in many forms like a food ingredient (kitchen spice), extract, liquor, tea or herb form for many centuries to provide relief in many disorders.

Cinnamon plant is considered as a sign of protection and prosperity.

CEO had formed a part of oil mixtures that were used by grave-robbing bandits to protect themselves during the plague in 15^th century.

Traditionally, Cinnamon is known for its ability to attract wealth. If you were lucky enough to have Cinnamon during ancient Egyptian times, you were considered as a wealthy person. Ancient records suggest that the value of cinnamon might have been equivalent to that of Gold.

Over a period of time, many studies have been conducted on cinnamon and CEO derived from it. Wide variety of pharmacological actions of CEO have been demonstrated, including its antioxidant abilities, anti-inflammatory action, anti-platelet aggregation and its ability to improve blood circulation.

It was found that a 70% methanolic extract of cinnamon oil had significant antioxidant activity useful enough for enhancing immune functions by combating oxidative stress in the body. This was recorded in 2011 study done by the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Kyung Hee University of Korea.

CEO has the ability to boost iNOS, which is a key enzyme responsible for the production of NO (Nitric Oxide). With this ability, cinnamon plays an important role in fighting the free radical damage and inflammation which are the roots for many diseases.

Cinnamon also has the ability to inhibit the platelet aggregation by suppressing the release of arachidonic acid.

Ayurvedic perspective

Cinnamon Essential Oil, Ayurvedic perspective
Cinnamon is called as Twak in Ayurveda. It is commonly called as Dalchini. There is no concept of essential oil in Ayurveda and Cinnamon essential oil is not an exemption. But looking into the properties of Twak as explained in Ayurvedic texts I would like to make a correlated study as to in which disease or doshic conditions the cinnamon essential oil can be administered.

Cinnamon Essential Oil though is in the form of oil, it will surely carry the properties of Cinnamon or Twak in it. Below mentioned are the properties of Twak or Cinnamon –

Rasa (taste) – Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter), Madhura (sweet)
Guna (qualities) – Laghu (light for digestion), Ruksha (dry), Teekshna (strong, piercing)
Veerya (potency) – Ushna (hot in potency)
Doshic Action – Cinnamon or Twak is Vata-Kapha hara (balances or controls Vata and Kapha)

Mode of action of Cinnamon based on its properties
Owing to its Rasa, Guna, Veerya and Doshic Action (which are the mainstays of analyzing the action of an herb, compound or food ingredient in the body), Twak or Cinnamon can be said to predominantly destroy Kapha and Ama. Kapha and Ama are those elements in the body which have similar properties.

While Kapha is a dosha, an essential functional element in the body, it can cause pathological blocks in the body and body channels (sroto rodha) by the virtue of its unctuous and sticky nature when kapha gets vitiated and increased out of proportions.

Similarly Ama, which is an immature digestive juice which is formed due to impaired or sluggish digestion (manda agni). Ama is in circulation and due to its stickiness it tends to clog the channels of the body and cause pathological blocks (sroto rodha) which in turn are the main cause for causation of many diseases.

Most of the diseases which are treated with the help of Cinnamon Essential Oil are caused by vitiated Kapha and or Vayu or excess of ama in the body. Both these conditions point towards diseases caused due to metabolic impairment.

Cinnamon Essential oil heals disorders like cold, congestion, influenza, throat and lung congestion as happens in asthma and bronchitis, coronary artery diseases, high blood pressure, stroke, over eating induced metabolic diseases, indigestion, nausea, stomach upsets, vomiting, flatulence, gas accumulation, stiffness of muscles and joints and associated pain, arthritis, sore throat, low libido and erectile dysfunction, clogged arteries, menstrual cramps, urine retention, depression and burns fat.

All these conditions are caused due to excess kapha and ama accumulation or vata aggravation as a result of sroto rodha (block of body channels) caused due to accumulated kapha and ama.

Since CEO helps in clearing the fat accumulation and clogging of arteries, it helps in free and good circulation in the body. Good circulation enables good oxygen to the body tissues which helps in relieving pain.

Use of Cinnamon Essential Oil, Ayurvedic Perspective (based on the properties of Twak)
Based on the action of the active ingredient of CEO i.e. Cinnamon, from an Ayurvedic perspective, Cinnamon Essential Oil is helpful in effectively combating the below mentioned conditions (owing to the properties of Twak, Cinnamon) –

Kapha Dushti – Vitiated and accumulated morbid kapha
Agnimandhya – Low metabolism, sluggish digestion, indigestion, anorexia
Agnimandhya Janya Vikara – Diseases caused due to low digestion
Ama and ama visha – Excess formation and accumulation of ama and circulating toxins in the form of ama

Vata Vikara – Disorders caused by vitiated Vayu (Vayu blocked by vitiated kapha or ama)
Medo dushti – Excess accumulation of morbid fat in the body and channels of the body and blocks caused by the same
Medo Avrita Vata – Vata blocked by Fat and the disorders resulting from the same
Rakta Dushti – Contamination and block of blood

Rakta Avrita Vata – Vata being obstructed by Vata
Kapha Dushta Rakta – Blood contaminated by vitiated kapha

Cinnamon v/s Cinnamon Oil

Uses of Twak or Cinnamon v/s Benefits of Cinnamon Essential Oil
(Ref – Dhanwantari Nighantu, Kaiyyadeva Nighantu, Shodala Nighantu, Bhava Prakasha)

• Vishapaha – removes toxins and nullifies poisons and their effects (anti-toxin)

Cinnamon Essential Oil is an excellent detoxifying agent according to studies.

• Vaktra ruha hara – Relieves pain in the mouth

CEO is a good medicine for toothache and gum related troubles.

• Shiro Ruk hara – relieves headache

Cinnamon Essential Oil helps in relieving headache since it helps in proper blood circulation in the head. Used as diffuser, it provides good relief from headache.

• Vasti Shodhana – cleanses the urinary bladder, good diuretic, helps in treating urinary retention and dysuria (difficulty in passing urine)
• Basti gada nut – cures diseases of urinary bladder, urinary infections

CEO is excellent in improving the kidney functions. It helps prevent kidney damage and is used to treat urinary tract infections and bladder pain.

• Hrid gada nut – cures heart ailments

Cinnamon Essential Oils is known for its heart-protecting role. It prevents coronary artery diseases and high blood pressure when included as a part of diet regularly. It decreases the chances of plaque formation in the arteries and keeps the heart safe and healthy.

• Aruchi Hrit – relieves anorexia, tastelessness

CEO enables good digestion. It cures stomach and intestine gases, indigestion, anorexia, nausea and other stomach disorders effectively. It enhances the action of enzymes needed for proper digestion of food.

• Kandu Hrit – Relives itching, pruritis

Cinnamon Essential Oil is good for skin health. It soothes the skin and is thus useful in skin conditions like itching. Its anti-microbial action helps in improving skin immunity.

• Shukra Hrit / Shukraghnam – Destroys semen, not good for reproductive fluid and sperms

Cinnamon Essential Oil has good aphrodisiac property. Ayurveda has contrastingly mentioned as Shukra Hrit. Here we can infer the different roles of Cinnamon and its essential oil. Both are aphrodisiacs in their own terms. If Twak is used in excess, due to its pitta increasing property it may induce heat in the body and due to inflammation of genital system, it may cause destruction of semen and sperms. On the contrary, if Twak is judiciously used (in low doses or by processing it with milk or mixed with other aphrodisiac compounds), it may act as a good aphrodisiac. Its kapha and vata alleviating properties may help in removing the blocks caused in the genital tracts due to morbid kapha and vata which is one of the causes for infertility or erectile dysfunction. Cinnamon also enhances blood flow and nervous stimulation to the genital tract and enables proper erection.

• Krimi Hrit – Destroys microbes, worms
• Jantu jit – removes infestation of microbes and microorganisms, anti-helminthic, destroys microbes, germs and worms

We have seen that Cinnamon Essential Oil is a good antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal. It is also good in warding off the worm infestations and infections.

• Ama shamanam – Destroys Ama (intermediate product of metabolism, immature essence of digestion in circulation) which tends to block the channels of the body, the endo-toxins of the body
• Amavata Hrit / Amavataghnam – relieves arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis)

CEO is effective detoxifying agent. It is also an antioxidant. Being a good analgesic, CEO helps in alleviating joint and muscle stiffness and ache and pain related to arthritis. It cures inflammation.

• Peenasa Hrit – Relieves rhinitis, common cold
• Kapha Kasa Vinashanam – Good remedy for cough with expectoration (cough with phlegm)
• Kanta Shuddhi karam – Cleanses the throat and helps in cleansing the phlegm congestion in the throat.
• Kanta ruja hara – relieves throat pain and congestion

CEO is a good decongestant and is highly effective in combating throat congestion and sore throat. CEO also helps in curing the throat infections.  It cures cold, influenza, respiratory tract infections and cough.

• Pittala – increases pitta dosha
• Durnama Hrit / Vatarsha Hrit – Relieves piles (hemorrhoids), particularly the piles caused by vitiated Vata

The above mentioned pharmacological actions and clinical utility of Twak vis-à-vis Cinnamon, and the uses of Cinnamon Essential Oil look almost similar. This can be contributed to the active principles of cinnamon present in the essential oil. Though Ayurveda hasn’t explained about the essential oil of cinnamon, it is clearly evident that the Ayurvedic teachers and physicians of the ancient time pretty well knew the multi-dimensional role of Twak in clinical practice and its effectiveness in comprehensively healing many ailments. Thus CEO can be readily used in all the conditions mentioned by Ayurveda as curable by Twak according to the above said explanation.
Click to Consult Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ayu)