Cinnamon Leaf Oil

Cinnamomum zeylanicum

Cinnamon leaf oil, derived from the leaves of the Cinnamomum verum (also known as Cinnamomum zeylanicum) tree, belongs to the Lauraceae family. It is obtained through the process of steam distillation of the leaves. The main components of cinnamon leaf oil include eugenol, eugenol acetate, cinnamaldehyde, linalool, caryophyllene oxide, beta-caryophyllene, alpha-terpineol, and benzyl benzoate. This essential oil has a warm, spicy, and sweet aroma with woody undertones. Cinnamon leaf oil finds applications in various industries.

The oil is produced by steam distillation from the leaves which yield 1.6-1.8%. Well managed plantations allow for sustainable supplies from the region being made available throughout the year, with the exception of during the rainy season (Maha monsoon season October – January). After collection the leaves are left to dry before distillation, as fresh leaves take longer to process.

Cinnamon leaf oil has a musky and spicy scent and a light yellow colour that distinguishes it from the darker red-brown colour of cinnamon bark oil.

Leaf oil is used as a flavouring but also has variety of powerful therapeutic attributes which attracts many industries and applications to use the oil.

Known to have strong germicide, anti-sceptic, antifungal and anti-bacterial properties you can use leaf oil (or find it in products) for athlete’s foot and toenail fungus infections (anti-fungal), disinfectants (just 1% mixed with water can give you a powerful disinfectant), dentistry for gum and mouth pain (it’s said the eugenol from cinnamon leaf performs better than the more economical eugenol from clove), and odour neutralizer and as an effective insect repellent (in particular black ants).