CassiaEssential Oil

Scientific Name: Cinnamomum Cassia Blume

Origin: China

Plant Part: Bark

Scent: Spicy, Sweet, Woodsy, and Earthy

Color: Golden Yellow/Brown

Consistency: Medium

Perfumery Note: Middle - Base

Initial Aroma Strength: Sharp Strong

Extraction Method: Steam Distilled

Cassia Essential Oil: Uses, Benefits, and Blends

Cassia essential oil is extracted from the twigs and leaves of the cassia tree. Often confused with cinnamon essential oil, cassia is more difficult to use topically but useful for diffuser blends and sprays.

Traditionally, cassia essential oil has always been classed as a hazardous substance in aromatherapy because it can be a spiteful dermal irritant and should be avoided if another oil would serve as well. More recently some of the larger essential oil companies have begun to stock it and it does have uses within the home, so here, we look at some of the ways cassia essential oil can be helpful and offer ideas of gentler substitutions if relevant.

Cassia Essential Oil Benefits: Component Breakdown

• (E)-Cinnamaldehyde and (Z)-Cinnamaldehyde - Preliminary rodent studies suggest that cinnamaldehydes may have anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. 
• (E)-Cinnamyl Acetate - may have anti-termite, anti-mildew, and insecticide properties.
• Benzaldehyde - A commercially interesting chemical, benzaldehyde is a natural component of bitter almond oil, and is synthetically copied and used as an almond extract in baking. It also has uses in beekeeping because bees don’t like its strong almond smell. Keepers spray the crown board that separates the bottom brood frames from the super box containing the honey. When the bees smell benzaldehyde, repelled, they head down into the brood box allowing the keeper to remove their honey. However, please do not use cassia essential oil for this purpose because irritated bees are also dangerously furious bees!
• 2-Phenylethyl acetate - a well sought-after rosy smelling compound. According to Salvatore Battaglia in The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, Third Edition Volume 1, Foundations and Materia Medica cassia essential oil benefits are antimicrobial, carminative, and spasmolytic. However, only the antimicrobial properties are supported by clinical studies and indeed cassia essential oil was found to be one of the most active antibacterial oils against pathogenic bacteria.

Elizabeth Ashley in her Complete Guide to Clinical Aromatherapy and the Essential Oils of the Physical Body cites historical successes of cassia essential oil uses including:

• As an antifungal and anti-mold agent
• Toenail fungus
• Diarrhea
• Viral and bacterial infections
• Kidney and urinary tract infections
• Ringworm and intestinal worms

Historically, cassia bark has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a yang tonic. Where yin is soft, gentle, moist, receptive, and feminine; Yang is masculine, fierce, aggressive, invigorating, sharp, hot, and dry. 

These are the energetics you can expect to experience with Cassia essential oil. The oil is so incredibly hot, it can often be a harsh skin irritant. For this reason, Tisserand and Young 2013 recommend a maximum dilution of 0.05%. Realistically, that means one drop of Cassia essential oil to 50 ml of carrier oil if you are using it on the skin. 

How To Use Cassia Essential Oil for Toe Fungus

For treating toenail fungus, consider blending it with tea tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia) or lemon (Citrus X Limonum) essential oils and apply it neat to the toenail.

Is Cassia Essential Oil Good For Diarrhea?

Whilst Cassia essential oil would be indicated for diarrhea, based on its historical herbal uses, there are gentler options. You may want to try Roman chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis), spikenard (Nardostachys Jatamansi), or ginger (Zingiber officinalis) essential oils, for example.

Cassia Essential Oil Benefits as an Antimicrobial

Again, for viral and bacterial infections, Cassia essential oil is probably best diffused to cleanse a room, rather than being used topically or as a local inhalant. Less aggressive antivirals might be Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Globulus), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Verum), Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum), Tea tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia), or Ravensara (Ravensara Aromatica) essential oils. 

That said, without saying The Virus that Shall Not be Named – some viruses might be best treated with the most aggressive oils in the box. (Remember what Frankie Goes to Hollywood said: “The average age of the combat soldier in Vietnam was…?” Yeah. That virus).

Here, cassia essential oil is probably a very good call, topically, in diffusers and as a means of cleansing high-traffic areas like banisters, toilet flushes, and light switches. Do remember to wear gloves.  

For kidney or urinary tract infections, a subtler frontline defense might be Cypress, since Cassia essential oil might often be energetically too hot to add to the burning sensation of cystitis, for instance.

Intestinal worms certainly would be a good way to use Cassia essential oil in this tiny dilution. Also, consider blending with Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) or Lemon eucalyptus essential oil (Eucalyptus Citriodora).

Cassia Essential Oil Uses: For Wholesale Purposes

Cassia Essential Oil Uses for Aromatherapists

Cassia essential oil has limited uses. See above.

Cassia Essential Oil Benefits for Soapmakers 

Not suitable for use. 

Cassia Essential Oil Uses for Natural Perfumery

Cassia was one of the ingredients of the Holy Incense of the Exodus. It was used as an anointing oil to signify a priest as qdshm,  “set apart”. 

I love Holy by The New Jerusalem. An amber fragrance containing cassia essential oil, for both women and men, launched in 2019.

Cassia Essential Oil Blends: DIY Recipes

Room Clear Diffuser Blend 

• 1 drop Cassia Essential Oil (Cinnamomum Cassia) 
• 1 drop Lemongrass Essential Oil (Cymbopogon Flexuosus)
• 1 drop Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Eucalyptus Globulus)

Method of use: Diffuse to cleanse the air when there are troublesome germs about. 

Safety: Not suitable for topical use and please take care that you do not get cassia essential oil on your fingers when decanting. 

Note: Incidentally, if you do get it on your fingers, running it underwater will spread the irritation around. Best to add some carrier oil to dilute it before washing it off with soap. 

Precautions for using Cassia Essential Oil

Cassia essential oil carries a risk of embryotoxicity so should be avoided during pregnancy. Avoid use if you are taking blood-thinning medications such as Enoxaparin, Clexane, Heparin, or Warfarin, as well as if you have a platelet disorder. Do not use it in the 48 hours before scheduled surgery. It carries a high risk of skin sensitization and a low risk of irritation to the mucus membranes.

Do not use on sensitive, diseased, or damaged skin and avoid use on children under the age of 2.

Why Choose VINEVIDA?

At VINEVIDA, we love botanicals and the planet they come from. We believe in stocking the best at affordable prices and supplying to the discerning, which is why we are also members of both the Alliance of International Aromatherapists and the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy. In recognition of our excellent standard of product, we are proud to hold a 2021 Certificate of Registration as a Cosmetic Products Establishment with the U.S. Drugs and Food Administration.

Our joy at seeing people make beautiful things means we stock from the smallest amounts to the largest. Our wholesale essential oil prices begin with our smallest carrier oil of 120ml to our largest of 396lb, meaning any manufacturing company can afford to stock as many or as few oils as their business can accommodate without running the risk of spoilage of some of nature’s most precious commodities. Why not see if you can save money by buying your cassia oil in bulk? Remember how stable it is proven to be, so as long as you store it carefully, it should last and last.

Don’t forget too, we like to look after our customers with reasonable prices and excellent customer service and reward the loyal ones with money-off discounts over the year. 

Flash Point

90° C

Conclusion

Why not check out if you qualify for our loyalty scheme and start saving today with an environmentally friendly choice of oil for skin, hair, massage oils, and soap making.

Add VINEVIDA Cassia Essential Oil to your cart today.

Safety Data Sheet
Certificate of Analysis
GCMS Analysis
IFRA Statement
Allergen Statement
Safety Synopsis
GLUTEN FREE STATEMENT
IMPURITIES STATEMENT
GMO STATEMENT
NATURAL STATEMENT
SEWAGE SLUDGE STATEMENT