When I think of the scents of the fall and winter seasons, the smell of cinnamon is one of the first to come to mind. In my humble opinion, there are fewer smells that are more enticing than a pan of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven! You could probably find thousands of delicious recipes, both sweet and savory, that utilize cinnamon, which is a testament to just how popular this spice is! And its’ popularity isn’t a recent development—not by a long shot! In fact, people have been eating and using it for almost 5,000 years.
In honor of this prized spice, I thought I’d share a few surprising uses for cinnamon that I learned about recently! (And if you’ve got a tip that isn’t listed here, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!) :-)
9 Surprising Uses For Cinnamon
1. Stimulate Hair Growth
A cinnamon treatment can help wake up your scalp and improve overall hair growth. Mix together equal parts of ground cinnamon and honey, and apply to problem areas on your scalp. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then wash as usual.
2. Repel Moths
You can use a combination of cinnamon and other spices to help repel moths from your clothes. Fill a small sachet with a cinnamon stick, 1 tablespoon of black peppercorns, and 1 tablespoon of whole cloves. Place the sachet in a drawer or hang it in your closet.
3. Make Place Settings
You can make festive place cards in seconds using cinnamon sticks! Just make a name card for each person attending your dinner, and slide the bottom of each card into the crack of the stick. Easy!
4. Erase Scuffs & Scratches
Use cinnamon to erase scrapes, scuffs, and scratches on wooden furniture. Rub a pinch of ground cinnamon on the scuffed area, and watch it disappear!
5. In Your Car
Use cinnamon as an air freshener in your car, and experience some great added benefits! The scent of cinnamon has been shown to improve alertness and reduce anxiety, so you can have a less stressful commute.
Related: How To Make 3 Naturally-Scented Air Fresheners For Cars
More Ideas You'll Love
6. Treat Athlete’s Foot
Cinnamon has antimicrobial properties, which makes it a great natural remedy for fungal conditions like athlete’s foot. To make an easy treatment, boil 10 cinnamon sticks in 4 cups of water. Let the mixture cool, then soak your feet for about 20 minutes. Repeat as needed.
7. Deodorize Carpets
Cinnamon is a great deodorizer, and makes a great addition to a deodorizing powder for carpets. Learn how to make a cheap and all-natural carpet powder at the link below!
Related: How To Make A Cheap & Natural Deodorizing Carpet Powder
8. Soothe Nausea
The antioxidants found in cinnamon can help soothe an upset stomach (when consumed in small doses.) Make a simple “cinnamon tea” by boiling 1 cinnamon stick in 1 cup of water for 10 minutes. Strain, then drink warm.
9. Curb Cravings
Cinnamon can help regulate your blood sugar, and help prevent those midday cravings for something sweet. Set yourself up for success throughout the day by sprinkling a bit of cinnamon on your morning oatmeal or in your cup of coffee!
Time to go hit up the spice rack!
More Ideas You'll Love
Re use of cinnamon. You can also use powdered cinnamon as a plant stimulator. Whenever I repot and/or separate my orchids I dip the cut ends and roots in cinnamon powder before planting them. The cinnamon keeps bacteria out of the cut stems and gives the plant an extra growth boost just like commercial rooting powder.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love all kinds of helpful tips and hints.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If you have ants put down some cinnamon and they go away.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Mrs. Jillee , can you put that sachet in your suitcase for traveling too?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Absolutely!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.As you get to the bottom of your cinnamon jar, add sugar to make your own cinnamon sugar mix for toast, stirring into pancakes, topping apple muffins, etc. Great! Now I’m hungry
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great tip!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I add ground cinnamon (and sometimes nutmeg, cloves or ginger!) to my coffee grounds. Smells good brewing and tastes great! Plus maybe some health benefits as well.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you Jillee for your wonderful ideas! I save your posts, and it all started with your miracle pain relief cream! The one with essential oils and vitamin E cream! Works like a charmI. I was hooked on your posts! Thanks so much for these great ideas! Dee. Lavers
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m so glad! Thanks Dee!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I take cinnamon capsules every day for my diabetes. It helps to keep blood sugar levels within normal range. I have been taking it for years and for me I believe it helps!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can you let me know how many cinnamon filled capsules you can take in a day?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Do you take ceylon cinnamon or cassia? I read that ceylon is true cinnamon & that cassia is toxic to the liver & kidneys. Ceylon costs more but is worth it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.https://www.livestrong.com/article/516598-the-health-benefits-between-ceylon-cinnamon-and-cassia/
I LOVE wipes and use them for everything. In my opinion, they don’t make enough of them. I love putting alcohol/handgel on them and killing germs and odors. I have used them for just about everything listed and in the comments. And Huggies will get pine tar off of your vehicles if you park under pine trees.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.There is absolutely no medical evidence that either cinnamon or honey or a combination of the two will in any way promote hair growth or stop the loss of hair.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love cinnamon. I love these ideas too. Great ways to use cinnamon I never knew about!
Kaitlyn @ Oh, the Places We’ll Go!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m looking for a recipe for ornaments made with cinnamon. I made it about 20 years ago. It only uses white glue and cinnamon and the ornaments are microwaved. If anyone can help me I’d be grateful.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I think it was in church that I learned combining lots of ground cinnamon with apple sauce and pressing them into molds and letting them dry to be made as ornaments/sachet. It was interesting because when the smell starts to fade you can just scratch the surface a bit and it brings out the smell again.
Like to add to #8, Nausea relief, it is also great for diarrhea, when I have a bout I like to have cinnamon capsules on hand, you can also make your own with plain capsules you can pick up at a local health food store or online. I also sprinkle it on mushrooms growing on my lawn, it destroys better then store bought products made for this purpose. Love your great information on your sight, I’ve used many of your ideas, the latest is the tension rod under the sink, I put one in the closet behind my coats for scarves, my closet is under my stairs so it’s deep.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can make unedible ornaments out of cinnamon, applesauce and white glue. You can also get large sizes at warehouse stores if your going to make a lot. Cut out the ornaments with cookie cutters. There are several different recipes on the web. This is a fun project to keep kids busy.
http://www.thefrugalgirl.com
allrecipes.com/recipe/11638/non-edible-cinnamon-ornaments/.
Julie
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How fun!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Caveat: Once I followed a Dr. Oz recipe by a guest for a cinnamon facial. I got 2nd-degree burns on my face! Be careful if using on your scalp, because I would have a similar reaction I’m certain. However, I can consume cinnamon with no problems and I especially like some of the commenters’ ideas (Meg, Shirley), as well as your tips. Cinnamon is often suggested for ant control, but I find it waaayyy too messy.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Cinnamon is a healthy spice for diabetes. Just add to hot tea or a coffee latte. It’s also great on oatmeal.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.To a coffee cup add 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon pour hot water over and mix well. This is really great for sore arthritic joints. Enjoy
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jillee Do you know there are to types of cinnamon .
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The real one has sweet taste .
The cheap one is not sweet , and can be harmful to your heath.
You have very good Imfo
james
Yes, I am surprised she didn’t mention the difference between Cassia (cheapo, fake cinnamon) and Ceylon cinnamon — the real, pure stuff that is SO SO amazing the taste is to die for!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If you sprinkle it on the compost when you plant seeds it also stops the seedlings damping off and dying when they sprout.
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