This is great news, since you've probably heard that antibacterial soaps and sanitizers actually contribute to the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria because the bacteria become resisitant to these soaps and sanitzers so quickly. But they can't get resistant to cinnamon oil and other high-quality essential oils.

Some researchers now recommend sanitizers made with cinnamon oil, which has been shown in many studies to have powerful antimicrobial properties.

Quoting from a New York Times article, "The Claim: Cinnamon Oil Kills Bacteria,"

"A recent study by a team of surgeons, for example, found that a solution made with cinnamon oil killed a number of common and hospital-acquired infections, like streptococcus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. The study found it was just as effective as several antiseptics widely used in hospitals."

Please note that this study refers to quality essential oils. It does not hold true for run-of-the-mill essential oils – the type sold in drugstores and most health food stores. Those are generally thinned and/or synthetically manufactured, providing no antimicrobial properties whatsoever. The best oils are therapeutic-grade, as discussed on this website.

The article also makes reference to Thieves oil blend which goes back to the Middle Ages, where it was used by grave-robbing thieves who went around stealing jewelry from dead bodies, but never got sick. The Thieves blend combines the most antimicrobial oils mentioned in the study (cinnamon bark, clove, Eucalyptus radiata and rosemary oils) in one extraordinarily powerful blend.