dōTERRA Cassia Essential Oil - 15ml
dōTERRA Cassia Essential Oil - 15ml
Cassia is steam distilled from the bark and twigs of Cinnamomum cassia, sometimes called Chinese cinnamon, native to southern China. It's closely related to true cinnamon, but the two aren't the same oil — Cassia is generally the hotter and more intense of the pair.
The smell is hot, spicy-sweet and intensely warming, closer to a concentrated cinnamon stick than a dusting of ground cinnamon. It's sharper and more assertive than Cinnamon Bark, and one of the strongest spice oils on the shelf.
Because it's so concentrated, people use it carefully — a single drop worked into a winter diffuser blend rather than several. For topical use it needs generous dilution and a patch test first, since its natural chemistry makes it one of the more reactive oils on skin. This is one to keep in the handle-with-care corner of an oil collection.
Why people choose it
- An intensely hot, spicy-sweet aroma, similar to cinnamon but noticeably stronger
- Steam distilled from the bark and twigs of Cinnamomum cassia, or Chinese cinnamon
- Native to southern China, closely related to true cinnamon
- Adds a warming, spiced edge to autumn and winter diffuser blends
- Needs only the smallest amount, so one bottle lasts a long time
How it smells
Hot, spicy-sweet and intensely warming — closer to a concentrated cinnamon stick than a dusting of ground cinnamon, and noticeably stronger than Cinnamon Bark.
How to use it
- In a diffuser
- One drop is usually enough, blended with a citrus or wood oil rather than diffused alone.
- On skin
- Always dilute heavily before applying to skin, and patch test first — this is one of the strongest, most reactive oils on the shelf.
- Dilution
- Dilute generously — around one drop of Cassia to ten drops of fractionated coconut oil, more for sensitive skin. Like Oregano, it's one of the more reactive oils in the range and always needs a patch test before wider use.
- Worth knowing
- Keep it away from the face and other sensitive areas, and start with far less than you think you need.
Details
- Botanical name
- Cinnamomum cassia
- Plant part
- Bark and twig
- Extraction
- Steam distillation
- Key compounds
- Cinnamaldehyde, Cinnamyl acetate
- Size
- 15 ml
Safety
Possible skin sensitivity — this is a hot oil, so always dilute generously before topical use and patch test first. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing or under a doctor's care, speak to your practitioner before use. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, the face and other sensitive areas. Dilute well with a carrier oil for topical use.
This information is for general use and is not medical advice. If you have a health condition, are pregnant or nursing, speak to your GP, midwife or pharmacist.
Blends well with
Common questions
What does Cassia actually smell like?
Hot, spicy-sweet and intensely warming — like a concentrated cinnamon stick rather than ground cinnamon, and noticeably stronger than Cinnamon Bark.
Do I need to patch test before using it on skin?
Yes, always. Cassia is one of the more reactive oils in the range, so dilute generously and test on a small area first.
How many drops should I use in a diffuser?
Start with one. It's highly concentrated and will dominate a blend if you add more.
How is Cassia different from Cinnamon Bark?
They're closely related and smell similar, but Cassia is generally the stronger, more intense of the two.
How long does a 15ml bottle last?
A long time — because so little is needed per use, most people find a bottle of Cassia outlasts oils they use more freely.