Cinnamomum cassia steam distilled from the leaves, from China, aka Chinese cassia or cinnamon.
Aroma: Cassia Essential Oil has a pungent, warm scent from its 1% to 2% volatile oil that is mainly responsible for the spicy aroma. It is a strong top note, often used as a base note, however.
History: Also known as Bastard Cinnamon and Chinese Cinnamon, its first recorded use in China dates back to the Han Dynasty (200 BCE - 200 CE). In Exodus 30, 23, Moses was ordered to use both Cinnamon (Kinnamon) and Cassia (Qesia) together with Myrrh, Sweet Calamus and Olive Oil to produce a holy oil with which to anoint the Ark of the Covenant.
Colour: Transparent pale yellow to reddish
Consistency: With a medium to thicker viscosity
Perfumery Note: Middle to base
Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong
Common Uses: Cinnamon essential oil is highly respected as having antiseptic properties. From a spiritual perspective, it is believed to have a warming, uplifting characteristic.
Possible Uses: Constipation, exhaustion, flatulence, lice, low blood pressure, rheumatism, scabies, stress. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 58-67.]
FOR SKIN APPLICATIONS IN A BLEND ONLY, USE CINNAMON LEAF ESSENTIAL OIL IN DILUTION, IF AT ALL. USE ONLY THE ESSENTIAL OIL OF THE BARK IN A DIFFUSER OR INHALER.
Main Constituents:
Cinnamic aldehyde: 85%
Constituents: Eugenol, eugenol acetate, cinnamic aldehyde, benzyl benzoate. [B. Lawrence, "Cinnamon Leaf and Bark Oil," Perfumer & Flavorist, August/September 1978, 54, cited in Salvatore Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (Australia: The Perfect Potion, 1997), 154.]
Safety Information: Mucous membrane irritant and strong skin sensitizer. Avoid in cases of alcoholism, in hemophilia, in prostatic cancer, with kidney and liver problems and if taking anticoagulants. Only the oil from the leaf should be used for skin applications. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 130.]n
Photo thanks to CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2131667