Cinnamon Quills via PixaBay

 The use of cinnamon in perfumery goes back to ancient times. Its rich, complex, sweet, and spicy aroma is a key ingredient in fragrance compositions. Traditionally, cinnamon oil was used in ceremonial and therapeutic contexts, often blended with other resins and spices to create incense.

Cinnamon is one of the oldest known spices and has played a significant role in human history. It is derived from the inner bark of trees belonging to the Cinnamomum genus and is valued for its aromatic, culinary, and medicinal properties. Its delightful aroma has enchanted worldwide civilizations for thousands of years. Beyond its uses in cooking and medicine, cinnamon’s warm, spicy, and sweet scent has made it a sought-after ingredient in perfumery.

 Egyptologist Dora Goldsmith Translating Texts, courtesy of Dora Goldsmith

Cinnamon originates from Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon) and southern India, thriving in tropical climates. Ancient texts from China, Greece, and the Middle East contain early references to this spice. Cinnamon was highly prized and was considered more valuable than gold. However, contrary to popular belief, the ancient Egyptians did not use cinnamon in their perfumes or rituals. I learned this from my teacher and mentor, Dora Goldsmith. She is the preeminent Egyptologist specializing in the scents and perfumes of ancient Egypt. She offers classes in person and online to teach about the plants and practices of ancient Egyptian perfumery. I asked Dora Goldsmith to share her knowledge of the use of cinnamon in ancient Egypt with us, and this was her reply:

“Greek and Latin documents reporting on ancient Egyptian perfumes, for example, the description of the Mendesian perfume, speak of cinnamon and/or cassia as an ingredient. Some researchers within the discipline of Egyptology also state that the ancient Egyptians used cinnamon. However, what the classical texts refer to as cinnamon or cassia and the plant name ti-Sps (probably pronounced ti-shepes) that some Egyptologists identify as cinnamon was actually camphor bark throughout pharaonic history. ti-Sps, which means “noble, crushed (substance)”, is frequently featured in the written record from the Middle Kingdom until the end of the Ptolemaic Period as a valuable and luxurious fragrant substance used in perfumery and as an offering to the gods. The Egyptians had many names for camphor bark beside the technical term ti-Sps. In perfume recipes and lists of perfume ingredients, the aromatic is often alluded to as “sweet wood” or “sweet bark”. ti- Sps is featured in the complex incense mixture kyphi, both in its medical and temple versions. ti-Sps is also an ingredient in several temple perfumes used to anoint the statues of the gods. The frequent use of camphor bark in temple perfumery demonstrates its high value and the popularity of its scent. Love poems teach us that a viscous oil or tar made out of camphor bark was used to perfume the clothing of women. Garments drenched in ti-Sps were considered attractive and found suitable for the sensory landscape of lovemaking. In medicine, camphor bark was prescribed externally to heal wounds, combat headaches, and stimulate blood circulation. A mythological section of Papyrus Salt 825 discussing the divine origins of perfume materials tells the story of how the camphor tree came to be. The starting point of the tale is the murder of Osiris by Seth.” ‘As Isis and Nephthys find out about the tragic event, they fall sick and start to sweat. Their divine sweat falls on the ground and turns into a camphor tree. ‘Then Isis and Nephthys became very unwell. Their sweat fell on the ground and started to grow. This is how the camphor tree came into existence.’  (pSalt 825, III,3-4, translated by Dora Goldsmith)

Bacchus on a Throne − Nymphs Offering Bacchus Wine and Fruit by Caesar van Everdingen, Public domain

During the Roman Empire, cinnamon was regarded as a luxury item. The Romans used it to sweeten wine, in religious ceremonies, and as an aphrodisiac. The practice of using cinnamon to sweeten wine eventually declined because it became more commonly used to mask the taste of poison.

During the Middle Ages, cinnamon symbolized wealth and status in Europe. Arab traders played a crucial role in controlling the cinnamon trade, often fabricating elaborate tales about its mysterious origins to inflate its value. The desire for cinnamon and other spices drove European exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Portuguese, followed by the Dutch and British, competed to control cinnamon-rich territories, particularly in Sri Lanka. This colonial rivalry laid the groundwork for global trade networks and profoundly impacted the economies of the time.

Cinnamomum verum By Franz Eugen Köhler – Köhler’s Medizinal-Pflanzen 

In perfumery, cinnamon oil is obtained from either the tree’s bark or leaves. Bark oil has a warmer, spicier profile, while leaf oil offers a more herbaceous, clove-like scent. Both types of oil are valued for their ability to add depth, warmth, and exotic appeal to fragrances.

Modern Perfumes Featuring Cinnamon notes: Estee Lauder Cinnabar, Youth Dew and Yves Saint Laurent Opium courtesy of Darren Alan

Cinnamon is a versatile ingredient in 20th-century perfumery, particularly in amber, gourmand, and spicy compositions. Cinnamon pairs exceptionally well with vanilla, amber, patchouli, and citrus notes, creating a harmonious balance of warmth and freshness. According to renowned fragrance expert Michael Edwards'”Fragrances of The World,” the first commercially available Western perfume was “Mouchoir de Monsieur,” released by Guerlain in 1904 and aimed at men. Other iconic perfumes such as Estée Lauder’s Cinnabar, Estée Lauder’s Youth Dew, and Yves Saint Laurent’s Opium have used cinnamon to evoke sensuality and opulence.

 Voodoo Altar Burning Cinnamon, courtesy of Darren Alan

Cinnamon is often offered to spirits in Voodoo and used in rituals designed to attract positive energy. It’s warm and spicy essence is believed to heighten vibrations, facilitating connections with the spiritual realm. Practitioners might burn cinnamon as incense, incorporate it into anointing oils, or sprinkle it around altars and cash registers at their place of business to invoke blessings and attract financial prosperity and success. A simple monthly ritual involving cinnamon is easy to perform. On the first day of each month, take a pinch of ground cinnamon and go outside. As you walk back into your home, blow the cinnamon into the air. This practice is believed to bring health, happiness, and prosperity into your home for the upcoming month.

Cinnamon’s enduring allure lies in its rich history, cultural significance, and unique scent profile. Whether used in ancient rituals, medieval banquets, or modern perfumes, this spice continues to captivate and inspire, bridging the past and present through its timeless aroma. –Darren Alan, Contributor

Unless otherwise stated, all photos are owned by Darren Alan Perfumes and Pure Skin Formulations, LLC.

Darren Alan is a Contributor for www.cafleurebon.com. Darren owns, is the perfumer, and founder of Darren Alan Perfumes and Pure Skin Formulations, LLC. Darren began studying perfumery in 1994. He has been working in the personal care industry since 2005. Visit his shop at www.darrenalan.com

For our Cinnamon in Perfumery giveaways

Thanks to the generosity of Fragrance Vault we have a vintage 7.5 ml bottle of Yves Saint Laurent Opium Splash EDT from 1988 for one registered reader in the USA. You must register or your entry will not count.

According to Michael Edwards Opium  was created by Jean Amic and Jean-Louis Sieuzac

Perfume Legends II: French Feminine Fragrances: Top notes: Aldehydes, tangerine, plum, pepper, coriander, lemon, bergamot, Heart notes: Clove buds, jasmine, cinnamon, rose, lily of the valley, ylang-ylang, peach, myrrh, Base notes: Benzoin, vanilla, patchouli, opoponax, cedar, sandalwood, cistus, labdanum, castoreum, musk

Beach Geeza is generously offering a bottle of Bay Rum for one registered reader in the USA or EU. You must register or your entry will not count.

Top: Bay Leaf, Cassia, Cinnamon, Rum, Allspice, Heart: Cane Sugar, Nutmeg, Cardamom, Clove; Base: Oak Cask, Gurjun Balsam, Copaiba Balsam, Benzoin Resin

 

Thanks to 4160 Tuesdays in the UK and Perfumology in the US we have 50 ml of Pirate Queen x ÇaFleureBon for one registered reader in the USA. You must register or your entry will not count which includes cinnamon, leather, spices, coffee, tobacco, sea water and well-scrubbed wooden decks.

With Gratitude to Dawn of DSH Perfumes for 30 ml VDP of Indus for one registered reader in the USA. You must register or your entry will not count.

Notes: Black Pepper, Black Tea, Cardamom Seed, Cinnamon Bark, Clove Bud, East Indian Patchouli,  Ginger, Honey, Honey Beeswax, Juhi Jasmine Absolute, Musk, Sambac Jasmine, Tolu Balsam, Vanilla Absolute, Warm Milk

To be eligible, please leave a quality comment about what you learned about Cinnamon in in general and about Cinnamon in perfumery. You must register here. Please list the cinnamon perfumes you would like to win from the giveaway and that you are in the USA (or UK for Pirate Queen or EU for Bay Rum). Draw closes 1/16/2025. The winners will be announced within ten days after.

Editor’s Note: Dora Goldsmith is an Egyptologist specializing in the scents and perfumes of ancient Egyptian society. Some of her published works include The Smell of Mummification (2019), Eau de Cleopatra: Mendesian Perfume and Tell Timai (2021), Smellscapes in Ancient Egypt (2022), What Did Ancient Egypt Smell Like? (2023). To follow Dora’s research, reach out via e-mail and ask her to admit you to her newsletter doragold@zedat.fu-berlin.de.

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