Essential Oil of the Month--Cinnamon

Cinnamon essential oil smells so good! It is a wonderful fragrance for the winter months. From an aromatherapy perspective, cinnamon helps introspection and reflection.

I recommend using cinnamon to scent the home environment rather than on your skin. It is a powerful oil and many people have reactions to it on their skin. It can be used in a highly diluted form, if desired, but keep away from mucous membranes and eyes.

I used cinnamon oil in SoapWerks' soy wax candles and potpourri. Visitors to your home will think you've been baking! Cinnamon blends well with clove, pine, lavender, and patchouli essential oils.

Here's a recipe for a simmering potpourri. This is excellent to simmer on top of a wood stove:

1/4 cup whole cloves
1/4 cup whole allspice
1/4 cup broken cinnamon pieces
1/4 cup dried orange peel
1/4 dried peppermint leaves
10 drops cinnamon essential oil

Mix all ingredients together in a simmering pot, fill with water, and simmer. This may be used several times and freshened with more cinnamon oil.