Chinese Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia)



Updated 16 January 2024

Botanical characteristics

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Subphylum: Tracheobionta 
  • Division: Magnoliophyta
  • Class: Magnoliopsida
  • Subclass: Magnoliidae 
  • Order: Laurales
  • Family: Lauraceae
  • Genus: Cinnamomum
  • Part used: Branches
  • Country of origin: China

Precautions for use

This essential oil is for adult use only.

Cinnamon essential oil is not to be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, infants or children under 6 years of age.

It is forbidden for inhalation.

Finally, it is very rich in trans-cinnamic aldehyde (over 70%), a biochemical allergenic and highly dermocaustic component.

Other precautions

Warning:

  • For people with asthma, seek medical advice before use.
  • Do not use cinnamon essential oil for prolonged periods without the advice of a therapist.

Cutaneous use:

  • Cutaneous use of cinnamon essential oil is possible in dilutions up to a maximum of 10% in vegetable oil.

Diffusion:

  • Dilute cinnamon essential oil 5 to 10% in other essential oils.

Allergenic components:

Cinnamon essential oil is high in biochemical allergenic components:

  • Cinnamic aldehyde (70-85%)
  • Eugenol (≤ 0.5%)
  • Coumarin (≤ 4%)
  • Cinnamyl alcohol (≤ 1%)
  • Benzyl benzoate (≤ 0,1%)
  • Benzyl alcohol (≤ 0.3%)
  • Farnesol (≤ 0.01%)
  • Linalool (≤ 0.02%)

Note: It is best to test the essential oil before use (two drops on the crease of the elbow for at least 24 hours to check for a reaction).

Authorised users

 Adults and adolescents

Children under 6 years

 Pregnant and breastfeeding women

 Pregnant women younger than 3 months

 Infants under 3 years old

How to use

 Inhalation

 Cutaneous

  Oral

 Diffusion

Risks of use

 Skin irritation
 Pure Dermocautic
 Respiratory irritant
 Hepatotoxic
 Allergic
 Photosensitiser

 Properties

  • Powerful, broad-spectrum antibacterial agent 
  • Antiviral and immunostimulant 
  • Fungicide 
  • Anti-parasitic 
  • Anti-fermenting 
  • General tonic, especially sexual and ovarian 
  • Uterine tonic and emmenagogue 
  • Respiratory and nervous stimulant 
  • Hyperemic 
  • Anticoagulant, blood thinner 

Indications

Directions for use/usual dosage

  • Infectious diseases and toning: orally, but in very small quantities (1 drop), diluted (fatty oil, Solubol) and in divided doses.
  • Skin parasites, urinary tract and gynaecological infections: topical, but diluted to a maximum of 1% in a vegetable oil in combination with other EOs.
  • Warts: apply locally, pure

Cosmetic

  • Ideal for recurring fungal and nail infections.
  • Used as an unction (very diluted and combined with other EOs) as a metabolic activator to slim the figure ("fat-eating" effect).