Although more popularly known as a food spice, cinnamon oil is also used extensively for the treatment of a number of diseases. It contains powerful substances that can kill bacteria and fungus. It is also proven to inhibit certain types of cancer cells.
This essential oil has medicinal properties because of the chemical substances it contains. The main component of cinnamon oil is cinnamaldehyde, which comprises 60% of the substance. The rest of the components are phenols and terpenes, like trans-cinnamic acid, cinnamyl alcohol, coumarins, eugenol, hydroxycinamaldehyde, O-methoxycinnamaldehyde, procyanidins, tannins and a-glucoside.
With this potent combination of chemicals, it is no wonder that cinnamon oil can be used in the treatment of a wide array of diseases. There is research that showed cinnamon oil can be used as an analgesic, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent. It can treat digestive disorders, chronic diarrhea, colds, rheumatism, hypertension, kidney disorders, chest pain and many more. It can even help improve the conditions of women with reproductive disorders. Cinnamon oil indeed contains powerful substances that we can use to improve our health. Yet, these same substances can do us harm if we take cinnamon oil in excessive amounts.
Unwanted Side Effects Of Cinnamon Oil
Since cinnamon oil is a natural product, it can be considered as a food and not a medicine. As such, it should not give us any negative effects if taken in the right amounts. Because cinnamon is not harmful, people tend to take more of it than what is required. Still, cinnamon oil is only toxic when taken in large doses. There are also individuals who can experience adverse side effects when taking cinnamon oil due to their highly sensitive systems. This does not affect every single person but only those who have medical conditions which result in them having highly sensitive immune and body systems.
Here are some side effects that you should be aware of:
• Allergic reactions – highly sensitive people can develop allergic reactions when cinnamon oil is taken. It shows as skin irritation such as itching and rashes spreading on the body.
• Burning sensation and pain – people who have ulcers in the mouth will feel a burning sensation and pain right after consuming cinnamon oil.
• Increased heart rate – for highly sensitive individuals. In relation to these, they can also experience dyspnea.
• Stomach irritation – cinnamon oil can irritate your digestive tract. You may experience nausea, stomach pain and diarrhea. This may result immediately after taking cinnamon oil, but will subside thereafter. If the problem persists, seek the advice of a medical professional.
• Breathing problems – if you are a highly sensitive person, your respiratory tract may be irritated by cinnamon oil. You can experience shortness of breath, chest pains and wheezing. Seek the help of a medical provider. Lack of intervention may cause loss of consciousness.
• Adverse drug interactions – if you are taking certain medications and you take cinnamon oil, it may result in adverse drug interactions. You may experience dizziness, headache, fatigue and hunger.
Most of the above side effects have no long term effects and will vanish given sufficient time. You should however stop consuming cinnamon oil in excessive amounts or the consequences may be very unpleasant and can have long term effects.
For people who have existing medical conditions and highly sensitive immune systems, here are some of the more serious side effects of cinnamon oil.
• Shutdown of the kidneys – a person with kidney problems can experience this if he consumes excessive amounts of cinnamon oil.
• Uncontrolled bleeding – cinnamon oil has anti-clotting properties, therefore, for persons who are taking blood thinners, taking cinnamon oil is prohibited. It may result in excessive bleeding.
What Is The Toxic Level Of Cinnamon Oil?
Cinnamon oil is classified as a food therefore consuming it in right amount shouldn’t give you any problems. However, it can be toxic to your system if you take it in large doses. There are reports which say that it is unsafe to have 0.7 mg/kg levels of cinnamaldehyde in the blood. This substance is the main component of cinnamon oil. Large doses of cinnamon oil, in the range of ½ to 1 ounce daily should be used with caution and only with the approval of your doctor. If you experience any adverse effects, stop taking cinnamon oil at once and consult your medical provider.
In view of all this information, it is also good to consider that cinnamon oil’s benefits far outweigh its adverse side effects. If you take the necessary precautions, you shouldn’t experience any adverse side effects at all.