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- PubMed.gov; Pharmaceutical Biology; Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Essential Oils and Their Constituents from Different Provenances of Indigenous Cinnamon; YT Tung, et al.; October 2010
- PubMed.gov; Pharmaceutical Biology; Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Essential Oils and Their Constituents from Different Provenances of Indigenous Cinnamon; YT Tung, et al.; October 2010
- PubMed.gov; Journal of Food Protection; Antimicrobial Activity of Clove and Cinnamon Essential Oils Against Listeria Monocytogenes in Pasteurized Milk; R. Clava, et al.; December 2007
- PubMed.gov; Journal of Food Protection; Antimicrobial Activity of Clove and Cinnamon Essential Oils Against Listeria Monocytogenes in Pasteurized Milk; R. Clava, et al.; December 2007
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A Comparison of Cinnamon Bark Oil and Cinnamon Leaf Oil
Amateur aromatherapists and home crafters may find the difference between premium cinnamon-bark essential oil and its less expensive sister, cinnamon-leaf essential oil, confusing. The ultimate choice of product depends on the primary use for the essential oil. In some cases, the extra investment in bark oil may be called for, while for other applications the leaf oil may be as good or even a preferable.
Origin
Producers of cinnamon-leaf and cinnamon-bark essential oils extract the essences from any of several trees of the Cinnamomum genus. The trees originated in Southeast Asia and grow best in tropical climates. Essential oils are the extracted volatile oils of plants. Cinnamon trees yield fragrant, therapeutic essential oils from both their leaves and inner bark. The inner bark is also used to produce the cinnamon sticks and ground cinnamon familiar to bakers.
- Producers of cinnamon-leaf and cinnamon-bark essential oils extract the essences from any of several trees of the Cinnamomum genus.
Therapeutic Comparisons
Side Effects of Frankincense Oil
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As a means of aiding health and controlling pests, cinnamon-bark oil was until recently considered superior to cinnamon-leaf oil, as Jeanne Rose notes in "The Aromatherapy Book." In the 1992 volume, Rose recommends the bark oil exclusively to kill germs and to use in massage oils for boosting circulation 1. But more-recent research indicated that the active compound, cinnamaldehyde, is equally available from both the leaf and the bark oils. A 2007 study conducted by Spain's Universidad de Murcia found that cinnamon-leaf and cinnamon-bark oil, along with clove oil, contained antimicrobial properties, which the food industry could theoretically use to fight Listeria monocytogenes. Additional research done by the National Taiwan University in 2004 focused on cinnamon-leaf oil's potential use in natural health products. Researchers concluded that the leaf oil has "excellent anti-inflammatory activities." These studies suggest that cinnamon-leaf and cinnamon-bark essential oils may be used interchangeably in at least some applications.
- As a means of aiding health and controlling pests, cinnamon-bark oil was until recently considered superior to cinnamon-leaf oil, as Jeanne Rose notes in "The Aromatherapy Book.
- " A 2007 study conducted by Spain's Universidad de Murcia found that cinnamon-leaf and cinnamon-bark oil, along with clove oil, contained antimicrobial properties, which the food industry could theoretically use to fight Listeria monocytogenes.
Fragrance Crafting
While scent preferences are subjective, perfume houses consider cinnamon-bark essential oil preferable to the lighter, less-intense scent of cinnamon-leaf oil, notes author Mandy Aftel in her book “Essence and Alchemy.” Home crafters may prefer the lighter and less expensive cinnamon-leaf oil for body products and potpourri. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy warns that if you do seek the deeper, longer-lasting scent of cinnamon-bark essential oil, check carefully to ensure that the producer hasn’t blended the less-expensive leaf oil into the mixture as a cost-cutting measure.
Considerations
How Much Oil Should You Eat?
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Cinnamon-leaf oil is less expensive than bark oil, because the tree's leaves are more easily harvested than the inner bark. Additionally, leaves may be gathered from the cinnamon tree without damaging it, while removing the tree's inner bark threatens the sustainability of cinnamon-tree stands. While the food industry utilizes both the leaf and bark oils to flavor colas, candy and other products, home cooks should avoid taking the essential oil internally, opting instead for ground or stick cinnamon.
Related Articles
References
- "The Aromatherapy Book"; Jeanne Rose; 1992
- PubMed.gov; Pharmaceutical Biology; Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Essential Oils and Their Constituents from Different Provenances of Indigenous Cinnamon; YT Tung, et al.; October 2010
- Medical News Today; Cinnamon Oil Kills Mosquitoes; July 2004
- PubMed.gov; Journal of Food Protection; Antimicrobial Activity of Clove and Cinnamon Essential Oils Against Listeria Monocytogenes in Pasteurized Milk; R. Clava, et al.; December 2007
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Cinnamon
- University of Texas-El Paso; Herbal Safety; Armando González Stuart; 2005
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Writer Bio
Ellen Douglas has written on food, gardening, education and the arts since 1992. Douglas has worked as a staff reporter for the Lakeville Journal newspaper group. Previously, she served as a communication specialist in the nonprofit field. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Connecticut.