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Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil
The Warm Spice of the Ancient Trade Routes
Cinnamon bark essential oil is a rich, warm and sweetly spicy oil steam-distilled from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree, best enjoyed in small amounts in a diffuser and not applied to the skin.
Botanical name: Cinnamomum zeylanicum (also written Cinnamomum verum)
Aroma: Warm, spicy, sweet and woody
Note: Middle to base
Main growing region: Sri Lanka and Madagascar (as sourced for this oil)
Typically extracted: Steam-distilled from the inner bark
Blends well with: Sweet Orange, Ginger, Cardamom, Frankincense and Mandarin
Top 3 benefits:
- Cosy atmosphere: its warm, sweet spice is a classic choice for autumn and winter rooms.
- Festive scent: a gourmand, bakery-style aroma that works beautifully in small amounts with citrus.
- Uplifting warmth: many people find its comforting spice cheerful when the days are short and grey.
Safety first: cinnamon bark oil is a strong skin irritant and sensitiser, so we recommend diffusion only, never in the bath, and avoiding it during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Read the full safety information.
What Is Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil?
Cinnamon bark essential oil is steam-distilled from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, also known as Ceylon cinnamon or true cinnamon. This oil is sourced from Sri Lanka and Madagascar. Bark oil is different from cinnamon leaf oil, which is milder and has a different aroma, so the two should never be treated as interchangeable.
The unmistakable scent comes mainly from cinnamaldehyde, which gives the sweet, fiery spice, supported by eugenol and other aromatic compounds. Because these compounds are so potent, bark oil is used by the drop in a diffuser rather than on the skin, and a little goes a very long way.
Benefits and Traditional Uses
The science: cinnamon is one of the most familiar warming spices, and its aroma is traditionally associated with comfort, hospitality and cosy evenings. Research into its aromatherapy effects is limited, so enjoy it for the atmosphere rather than as a treatment.
How to use (the winter evening): diffuse 1 drop of cinnamon bark with 4 drops of Sweet Orange in a ventilated room for 30 minutes.
The science: cinnamaldehyde has shown antimicrobial activity in laboratory studies, and cinnamon has long been used to scent homes at festive times. That does not make it a replacement for cleaning, and it is too strong to use in sprays on skin or fabrics.
How to use (the festive room): add 1 drop of cinnamon bark, 3 drops of Mandarin and 1 drop of Frankincense to a diffuser, and open a window for a few minutes afterwards.
The science: sweet, spicy aromas like cinnamon are traditionally used to add cheer on dark, cold days. Many people find the scent comforting and lively, though aromatherapy research is limited and individual responses vary.
How to use (the mood lift): diffuse 1 drop of cinnamon bark with 3 drops of Ginger for 30 minutes while you tidy or cook, and stop if the scent feels too strong.
How to Use Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil
| Method | Instructions | VivaForte tip |
|---|---|---|
| Diffusion | 1 to 2 drops in an ultrasonic diffuser, for 30 minutes at most in a well-ventilated room. | Blend with citrus or ginger, and keep pets and children out of the room. |
| Inhalation | 1 drop on a tissue, held at arm’s length and sniffed lightly. | Never inhale from the bottle. The vapour can irritate the nose and throat. |
| Topical | Not recommended. The published maximum is only 0.07% (about 1 drop in 70ml of carrier oil). | Do not use in the bath or on the skin. Choose a gentler oil for massage. |
| Blending | 1 drop added to a diffuser blend as a spicy middle to base note. | Pair with sweet orange, ginger, cardamom or frankincense. |
Cinnamon Bark Safety Information
- Not for skin use. Cinnamon bark oil is a strong skin irritant and has a high risk of skin sensitisation. The published dermal maximum is 0.07% (about 1 drop in 70ml of carrier oil), which is impractical to measure at home, so we recommend aromatic use only. Never add it to a bath, and avoid contact with the eyes, nose and other mucous membranes.
- External and aromatic use only. Do not swallow essential oils.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and health conditions. Avoid cinnamon bark oil during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. It may inhibit blood clotting and could interact with medication, so speak to a healthcare professional before use if you take blood thinners, have a bleeding disorder, or are due surgery.
- Children. Keep out of reach of children, and do not diffuse it in rooms where babies and young children are sleeping or playing.
- Pets. Essential oils can be harmful to pets, and strongly spiced oils can irritate their airways. Diffuse briefly in a ventilated room, let animals leave freely, and never apply the oil to them.
- Breathing sensitivity. The vapour of cinnamon bark oil can irritate the airways. Use very small amounts, and stop if you cough or feel irritation, especially if you have asthma.
- Chemical profile. High in cinnamaldehyde, with eugenol, linalool and caryophyllene.
For general guidance on dilution, patch testing and sun safety, read our Essential Oil Safety guide.
History and Heritage
Cinnamon is one of the oldest known spices. The true cinnamon tree is native to Sri Lanka, once called Ceylon, and the bark was carried along ancient trade routes to the Middle East and the Mediterranean, where it was prized as a rare and costly luxury.
Over the centuries, European powers competed for control of the cinnamon trade. The Portuguese and later the Dutch are recorded as taking charge of the trade in Ceylon, and the spice remained valuable enough to shape the fortunes of whole trading companies.
Today cinnamon is a familiar kitchen spice around the world, and the oil from its bark is valued in perfumery and home fragrance for its warm, gourmand character.
Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil FAQs
Is cinnamon essential oil safe to use on the skin?
We do not recommend it. Cinnamon bark oil is a strong irritant and sensitiser, with a published maximum of just 0.07%. Keep it for diffusion, never use it in the bath, and choose a gentler oil for skin.
Can I use cinnamon oil during pregnancy?
Cinnamon bark oil is best avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. It may also affect blood clotting, so speak to a doctor or pharmacist if you take blood thinners or have a medical condition.
Is cinnamon oil safe around pets?
Take care. Strong spiced oils can irritate the airways of cats, dogs and small animals. Diffuse briefly in a ventilated room, let them leave freely, and never put the oil on their skin or fur.
What does cinnamon bark oil smell like and what blends with it?
It smells warm, sweet, spicy and woody, like freshly baked cinnamon. It blends well with Sweet Orange, Ginger, Cardamom and Frankincense.
What is the difference between cinnamon bark and cinnamon leaf oil?
Bark oil is rich in cinnamaldehyde and has a sweeter, fiercer spice, with a very low dermal limit. Leaf oil is rich in eugenol, smells more clove-like and is milder. Always check which one you have.
Continue Exploring
- Ginger: another warming spice for cosy diffuser blends.
- Cardamom: a sweet, aromatic spice that softens cinnamon’s fire.
- Sweet Orange: a cheerful citrus partner for festive blends.
- Essential Oil Safety: dilution, patch testing and sun safety explained.
- All Single Essential Oils: browse the full VivaForte botanical range.