Cassia Bark Essential Oil
Cinnamomum cassia
Description
Resembling Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil in aroma, Cassia Bark Essential Oil is sometimes used as an economical substitute within fragrancing applications.
It is my understanding that most of the "Ground Cinnamon" that we purchase in grocery stores, and even most of the "Cinnamon Sticks" that are sold are not true cinnamon, but are really its more affordable cousin, Cassia, Cinnamomum cassia.
When comparing the bark oils of both Cassia (Cinnamomum cassia) and Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), I personally prefer the richer, fuller aroma of Cinnamon Oil to that of Cassia Oil.
I have purchased sticks of both Cinnamomum cassia and Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and also prefer the aroma and flavor of Cinnamomum zeylanicum in bark form.
Topically, both Cassia Bark and Cinnamon Bark oils should be used with extreme caution, if at all. Refer to the Safety Information section below for more information.
Cassia Oil Benefits and Uses
- Fragrancing
- Indigestion
- Gas
- Colic
- Diarrhea
- Rheumatism
- Cold/Flu
Source: Julia Lawless, The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Updated Edition) (London: Harper Thorsons, 2014), 64-65.
Botanical Name
Plant Family
Common Method of Extraction
Steam Distilled
Plant Part Typically Used
Color
Golden Yellow/Brown
Consistency
Medium
Perfumery Note
Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma
Sharp/Strong
Aromatic Description
Cassia Bark Essential Oil smells spicy, sweet, woodsy and earthy.
Major Constituents
- (E)-Cinnamaldehyde
- (Z)-Cinnamaldehyde
- (E)-Cinnamyl Acetate
- Benzaldehyde
- 2-Phenylethyl acetate
See Essential Oil Safety for a more complete list of typical constituents.
Source: B.M. Lawrence, Essential Oils 1976-1978 (Wheaton: Allured Publishing, 1979), 13. B.M. Lawrence, Essential Oils 1988-1991 (Wheaton: Allured Publishing, 1995), 163, 201. B.M. Lawrence, Progress in Essential Oils, Number 6. (Perfumer & Flavorist 26, 2001), 48-52. Sources cited in Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 235.
Cassia Essential Oil Safety Information
Tisserand and Young caution that there is a high risk of skin sensitization when using Cassia Oil (the bark or leaf oil) and recommend a dermal maximum of 0.05%. They indicate that it may inhibit blood clotting and that it is contraindicated in pregnancy/breastfeeding. Avoid use with children under 2. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 235.]
Cassia CO2 Supercritical Select Extract
In addition to being available as an essential oil, this botanical is available from a small number of reputable sources as a CO2 extract. CO2 extracts offer many advantages. However, they can have differing safety precautions than essential oils because the natural chemistry of CO2 extracts can differ from their essential oil counterparts. Not much safety information is documented from trusted sources for CO2 extracts. Use CO2 extracts with great care and do not assume that every CO2 extract has the same safety precautions as its essential oil counterpart.
General Safety Information
Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. For general dilution information, read AromaWeb's Guide to Diluting Essential Oils. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. Before using this or any essential oil, carefully read AromaWeb's Essential Oil Safety Information page. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.
Shelf Life
Important Information About the Profiles
The essential oil information provided on AromaWeb is intended for basic educational purposes only. The references to safety information, test results, constituents and percentages is generalized information. Essential oils can vary greatly in composition. The data is not necessary complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate. The essential oil photos are intended to represent the typical and approximate color of each essential oil. However, essential oil composition and color can vary based on harvesting, distillation, age of the essential oil and other factors. Profiles for several CO2 Extracts and absolutes are included within the directory, and are denoted as such.
