Cinnamon is popular worldwide as a culinary spice. There are many health benefits from cinnamon that are supported by scientific research.
Research in the journal, Diabetes Care, found that intake of 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon per day reduced serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes. Harvard Medical School suggests that consuming as little as 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon each day can reduce your blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels by as much as 12% to 30%.
The essential oil is distilled from the bark made by cutting the stems of cinnamon trees. The inner bark is then extracted and the woody parts removed.
It’s high in cinnamaldehyde, which is thought to be responsible for most of cinnamon’s health benefits. Cinnamaldehyde has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which may reduce infections and help fight tooth decay and bad breath.
Another contributing factor of cinnamon's list of health benefits includes large amounts of highly potent polyphenol antioxidants. The antioxidant's anti-inflammatory effects may help lower your risk of disease.
Cinnamon may improve some key risk factors for heart disease, including cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure.
Using Essential oils
Recommendations
To achieve the cholesterol-lowering effect, buy oils that are available only in capsule form and labelled as “standardised extracts.” Standardised extracts are diluted and safer for consumption. Follow the dosage instructions listed on the manufacturer's label.
Rotating essential oils is most effective. Choose one essential oil and try it first for a few weeks, then rotate to another oil.
After two to three months, have your cholesterol checked to monitor your progress. Do not use undiluted essential oils as they are highly concentrated. Failure to dilute an essential oil can result in a chemical-like burn on the skin and should not be swallowed unless directed by a health care professional.
Precautions
A key health benefit of essential oils is that they can be used for a variety of conditions, but they should always be used with caution. If you’re pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, or have cancer, use essential oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner.