Cassia Oil

Common Name:  Cassia Oil

Botanical Name:  Cinnamomum cassia

Other Names:  Cinnamon Cassia, Cassia, Cassia lign.

Introduction

Cassia oil is derived from the evergreen tree Cinnamomum cassia that can grow up to 7 m. The tree has angular branches and a white aromatic bark. It belongs to the Lauraceae family. The oil has a pungent and warm smell and has many uses. The plant is a native of China and Burma. It is also referred to as Chinese cinnamon. The oil is derived from the twigs, leaves, bark and stalks of the plant by the method of steam distillation. The key chemical components of the oil are cinnamic aldehyde, benzaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate, chavicol and linalool.

Cassia oil uses

Aromatherapy: In aromatherapy, cassia oil is used to alleviate colds, fever, flu, low vitality and chills. It is also known to aid the digestive system.  However, due to its strong nature, the oil should be avoided during pregnancy. As far as possible it should be used in diluted form. For diluting it can be mixed with any vegetable oil.

Therapeutic uses:  The multiple therapeutic properties of cassia oil include anti diarrhea, anti depressant, anti emetic, anti microbial, carminative, circulatory and stimulant properties. It is also used in the treatment of hemorrhages and the loss of libido. It is also successfully used in the patients suffering from rheumatism.

Since cassia oil has digestive properties, it is also used in food preparation. The bark of cassia is also used to flavor curries and in baked foods. 

Other facts: Cassia is one of the biblical anointing oils. Mention of this plant can be found in Psalm 45:8, Exodus 30:24, and Ezekiel 27:19.