10 Brilliant and Unexpected Uses for Cinnamon

Banish fungus from houseplants. While watering the plants in your living room, you notice some white powdery spots on the soil, which is a sign of unwanted fungus. The best way to remove it: Scoop away the moldy soil and replace with fresh. Then sprinkle cinnamon onto the top layer. Since it’s a natural fungicide, cinnamon will kill any remaining mold without harming your greenery.

Mask small furniture nicks. If you spot a small blemish on a dark wooden coffee table, try this: Sprinkle a generous amount of cinnamon onto the scratch and rub it in. Let sit, then brush away excess. The spice will leave behind a dark “stain” on the wood, ensuring the once-noticeable spot blends in with the rest of the table.

Moth-proof winter clothing naturally. A chemical-free trick to ensure your favorite sweaters are safe from pests in your closet: Mix 1 to 2 Tbs. of cinnamon, 1/2 cup of peppercorns, and 1/2 cup of cloves in a coffee filter or square piece of fabric and secure with a rubber band. Then place the cinnamon sachet in your closet. The strong odor will repel the moths, and your garments will stay in perfect condition.

Nix unwanted doggy breath. Buster is always so happy to shower you with kisses when you come home — if only he didn’t have doggy breath! The safe and easy solution: Sprinkle Ceylon cinnamon (a sweet variety that’s nontoxic to pets) on his food each day. The recommended dose is 1/6 tsp. for small dogs and 1/2 tsp. for larger dogs. Since the spice contains antibacterial properties, it will kill any germs that cause bad breath. Aah…that’s better!

Help soothe chapped lips. The remedy for dry, cracked lips: cinnamon! To get results, dab colored liquid lip gloss onto your palm and add a pinch of the powder. Blend well, then sweep onto lips with your fingertips. The spice’s antioxidants will repair damaged tissue, and with daily application, your lips will be healed in no time.

Say goodbye to athlete’s foot. To nix foot fungus, whip up this drug-free fix: Pour 2 tsp. of cinnamon and 2 liters of warm water into a basin and soak feet for 20 minutes. Repeat once daily until symptoms subside. Thanks to the spice’s anti-fungal compounds, the foot bath will banish the itchy rash.

Promote hair growth — fast. No need to buy a pricey hair mask. Instead, create your own! Whisk 1 tsp. of ground cinnamon, 2 Tbs. of coconut oil, and 1 egg in a bowl. Massage the mix into your scalp and throughout towel-dried hair. Cover with a shower cap and let sit 20 minutes. Cinnamon increases blood flow to the scalp to nourish follicles and promote growth, egg repairs damage, and coconut oil adds shine. Then shampoo and condition as usual.

Tackle tough oven spills in a flash.  Next time you find a dinner roast has dripped onto the oven floor, make cleanup a breeze by sprinkling a mix of 1 part cinnamon and 6 parts salt onto the spill. Leave on the spot until the oven has cooled, then wipe with a clean cloth. The cinnamon erases the burnt-food odor while the salt absorbs moisture, leaving your oven sparkling clean and odor-free!

Keep holiday leftovers fresh. After a delicious holiday dinner, you’re excited to have leftovers from casserole dishes and vegetable platters to enjoy throughout week. To keep them fresh as long as possible, try adding a small amount of cinnamon into the dish (not enough to affect the flavor). Cinnamon has been shown to decrease the amount of bacteria in food, so your dishes will stay both safe and tasty.

Boost energy and focus. On mornings you’re feeling particularly groggy, give yourself a dash of cinnamon. Simply sprinkle the spice into your coffee or add it to your breakfast. Cinnamon’s plant compounds will ward off blood-sugar swings that drain energy, while its scent is known to help enhance focus.