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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
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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!
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