Cassia Oil Improves Circulation, Arthritis & Depression

March 18, 2018

Cassia is considered one of the 50 fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It’s an evergreen tree native to China and Burma. Cassia is commonly known as Chinese cinnamon, and its scientific name is Cinnamomum cassia. Cassia essential oil, or cassia bark oil, is derived by steam distillation of the cassia bark, leaves and twigs.

Cassia is similar to true cinnamon (sometimes called Ceylon cinnamon) and mimics some cinnamon benefits and uses. They’re from the same botanical family, and they both have a spicy, warm aroma — but cassia bark oil is sweeter than cinnamon.

Cassia has been used extensively in indigenous and folklore medicine systems. In the Indian system of medicine, know as Ayurveda, the plant has been documented as thermogenic, purgative, expectorant and diuretic, and it’s been used in the treatment of leprosy, erysipelas, ulcer symptoms, cough, flatulence, dyspepsia, menstrual problems and tuberculosis. It’s also been used as a bronchitis natural remedy, anemia natural treatment and for natural constipation relief.

Cassia oil, like frankincense oil, myrrh and several other herbs and oils, is also included in the Bible as an important essential oil.

Cassia oil can be used for cleaning and cooking, but the health benefits of using this powerful oil are really surprising. Cassia oil is known to boost the immune system — helping the entire body run properly. It maintains a healthy and functioning digestive system and improves blood circulation. Cassia oil is also an antidepressant, and it has been used for years to build courage and a sense of self-worth. It has a warming effect on the body and keeps your mind at peace.

Cassia Tree and Components

Cassia is cultivated in southern and eastern Asia, including India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. In the United States, the United Kingdom and India, cassia is the most common type of cinnamon used. Cassia is an evergreen tree from the Cinnamomum family that grows to be around 32 feet tall. The bark is a gray color and the leaves are hard and elongated, growing to be about four inches long.

Cassia bark, both powdered and in “stick” form, is used as a flavoring agent for confectionery, desserts, pastries and meat; it’s also specified in many curry recipes. Typically, cassia is sold as pieces of bark or sticks, but it’s easy to find cassia bark oil in your local health food store. The chief constituents of cassia oil are benzaldehyde, chavicol, cinnamic aldehyde, cinnamyl acetate and linalool.

The flavonoids and antioxidant polyphenolic compounds in particular are known to scavenge the formation of free radicals and have great potential in ameliorating disease processes like cancer and diabetes.

10 Cassia Oil Benefits

1. Treats Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a natural reaction to toxins that need to be expelled from the digestive system. Luckily, cassia oil is an anti-diarrhea agent; it’s able to bind bowels and stop diarrhea episodes.

Frankly, many people have poop problems — a lot of these issues are due to the processed foods that are so popular today and the typical stress levels that people live with daily. Thankfully, there are natural ways to regulate how your digestive system works. Cassia oil kills microorganisms that sometimes lead to diarrhea, and it helps stiffen stool with its fiber content.

Diarrhea produces overly soft or watery stool, and this can be dangerous if it persists because it dehydrates and weakens the body. The causes of diarrhea vary, but often the reasons are dehydration, a viral stomach flu or infection (as a result of eating something with harmful parasites or bacteria) — or even nerves. Also, inflammation in the body leads to digestive issues like diarrhea. Cassia oil serves as a natural way to alleviate diarrhea because of its warming, bacteria- and fungi-killing, body-soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties.

2. Improves Circulation

By improving the circulation of blood throughout the body, cassia oil ensures that you get the proper amounts of nutrients and oxygen in order to thrive. Cassia oil enhances blood circulation, creates a feeling of warmth in the body, alleviates pain, reduces disease-causing inflammation and promotes urination — enabling the body to shed toxins.

Muscle aches, for example, are caused by weak circulation, increased physical activity, stress, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes and dehydration. Some of the most common areas for muscle aches include the lower back, neck, trapezius and legs. Because cassia oil stimulates circulation and works as an anti-inflammatory agent, it serves as a natural muscle ache treatment. By improving circulation, cassia oil also lowers the risk of stroke and heart attack — two life-threatening occurrences that can be avoided with this powerful oil.

3. Relieves Menstrual Symptoms

Cassia oil helps open obstructed menstrual paths, so it relieves the cramps that are common when menstruating and keeps your cycle regular. It also naturally remedies PMS cramps and menstrual symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, moodiness and bloating. It’s the emmenagogue, analgesic and pain-relieving properties of cassia oil that allow it to combat irregular periods and painful symptoms.

Cassia oil is also an antiemetic oil known as a natural remedy for nausea and helps reduce the occurrence of vomit — this can be helpful during PMS and menstruation or at any time you feel nauseous. By reducing inflammation and bloating, and relaxing the body and mind with its warming effects, cassia oil is the perfect treatment for those unwelcome menstrual symptoms.

4. Relieves Arthritis

It’s estimated that by 2030 there will be 67 million Americans over the age of 18 suffering with arthritis, which is characterized by stiff, aching, hard-to-move joints and bones. Because arthritis causes swelling and pain in the joints, cassia oil’s anti-inflammatory properties reduce arthritis symptoms naturally.

A study published in the Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research tested the active components of cassia oil and found that an compound called cinnamaldehyde not only inhibited inflammatory mediators, but also activated anti-inflammatory mediators. Inflammation has been found to be associated with just about every health condition; not only does cassia oil relieve symptoms of arthritis, but it impacts all bodily functions and systems.

5. Antidepressant

Cassia oil is an effective antidepressant that has the power to bust stress, leaving the body feeling warm and tranquil. Cassia contains cinnamic aldehyde, a component that has been studied and is known to alleviate stress-induced behaviors and conditions. Stress and anxiety have a much bigger impact than most people think. They can influence every system of the body and wreak havoc on its daily functions, while chronic stress can kill your quality of life.

By inhaling or diffusing two to three drops of cassia oil, you ease your nerves and allow your body to work properly. So make cassia oil part of your depression diet if you suffer from this condition.

6. Boosts Immune System

Cassia oil is an antimicrobial and antiviral agent; it also works as a febrifuge, fighting infections that cause fever. This powerful oil protects the urethra, colon, kidneys and urinary tract from microbial growth and infections. It also protects the body from viral diseases and conditions such as influenza, cough and the common cold.

Cassia oil has a warming effect on the body, so it relieves the body of tension and is able to lower body temperature by killing infections that cause inflammation and fever. At the same time, it works as a stimulant — keeping your brain alert and activating bodily functions.

7. Fights Bacteria

A study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine found that both oil and pure cinnamaldehyde (the organic compound that gives cassia its flavor and odor) were equally effective in inhibiting the growth of various isolates of bacteria. The study tested cassia’s efficacy against bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholerae and Samonella typhymurium — plus, fungi-including yeasts (four species of candida), molds and dermatophytes. These findings prove that cassia oil serves as a antimicrobial and antibacterial agent that protects the body from dangerous infections.

8. Works as an Astringent

Due to its astringent properties, cassia oil treats sore throat, external and uterine hemorrhaging, peptic ulcers, and diarrhea. It causes the shrinkage of mucous membranes or exposed tissues; internally, it can stabilize the discharge of blood serum or mucous secretions.

Cassia oil’s astringent properties also make it a useful oil for skin and hair health. It protects the skin and can be used to naturally treat acne, heal wounds and sores, naturally remedy rashes and treat skin irritations. It also strengthens hair roots, gums and helps tighten muscles.

9. Natural Bug Repellant

A study published in Pest Management Science tested the efficacy of cassia oil in repelling yellow fever mosquitoes. Four human volunteers were exposed to the mosquitoes in an indoor test that lasted 30 minutes. Cassia oil use led to a 94 percent protection; at 50 minutes cassia oil provided 83 percent protection, and at 70 minutes it provided 61 percent protection. The results indicate that cassia oil is effective as a mosquito repellant and works as an all-nautral and chemical-free remedy.

10. Treats Diabetes

Cassia oil has been getting a lot of attention for its ability to naturally treat diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels. Some studies suggest that this is true, but others find little evidence of this claim. A 2003 study was designed to study the effect of cassia flower extract on hepatic glycolytic and gluconeogenic enzymes in diabetic rats. After 30 days of treatment, blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin and gluconeogenic enzymes decreased significantly, while plasma insulin, hemoglobin and hexokinase activity increased. The study concluded that cassia flower extracts were just as effective as glibenclamide, a prescription drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes.

Another 2005 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food involved 15 diabetic men and women who were given either a cassia fiber supplement or placebo twice daily for two months. The results found that levels of serum triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol tended to decrease more in the cassia-supplemented group. On the other hand, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and activities of enzymes were not changed by the fiber supplement.

More research is needed to determine the potential of cassia oil as an effective treatment for Type 2 diabetes, but the increased interest in this oil’s ability to naturally treat such problematic conditions is very promising.

How to Use Cassia Oil

Cassia oil can be used just like common cinnamon oil — it can be ingested or used topically. When consuming cassia oil, start with small doses (a drop or two) and work your way up from there. It provides a spicy and warm flavor that goes perfectly with teas, coffee and spicy dishes. Here are some cassia oil uses that you can try at home:

To treat a cold and flu, diffuse 2–3 drops of cassia oil or inhale the oil twice daily.
For digestive health, rub an oil blend of 2–3 drops of cassia oil mixed with equal parts carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba oil) on the feet or abdomen.
To kill fungal infection, rub a dilution of 1–2 drops of cassia oil with equal parts carrier oil on the desired area twice daily.
To uplift mood, diffuse 2–3 drops of cassia oil or add the oil to a warm bath.
To treat nausea and avoid vomiting, put 3–5 drops of cassia oil in a handkerchief and inhale the scent whenever you feel nauseous.
For internal use, start with a small amount, such as a drop of cassia oil, and add it to your coffee, tea, oatmeal or any dish that has a warm and spicy flavor.

Cassia Oil Recipes

There are a ton of ways to incorporate cassia oil into your daily routine, whether it’s in the kitchen or part of your beauty and bathing regimen. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Add 1–2 drops of cassia oil to my Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Recipe. This is a great idea for breakfast — it keeps you full because it’s packed with fiber, and with the addition of cassia oil, it has an extra anti-inflammatory punch.

If you want to cleanse, lose body fat, boost energy and help reverse disease, then adding natural detox drinks to your diet can help you improve your quality of life. Add 1–2 drops of cassia oil to my Secret Detox Drink and watch (and feel) the magic happen.

Take advantage of the calming and warming qualities of cassia oil. This Homemade Healing Bath Salts recipe will help increase relaxation, relieve muscle pain, decrease stress and support body detoxification. Rather than spend hundreds of dollars at the spa, try this amazing spa-like recipe in the comfort of your own home. Try adding 5–10 drops of cassia oil to the recipe for optimal results.

Possible Side Effects & Interactions of Cassia Oil

Cassia oil is safe for topical and internal use. It should be avoided during pregnancy because it may produce irritation and sensitization on the skin and in the mucous membrane. It may also reduce the secretion of milk, so it’s not recommended for mothers who are lactating.

Taking large amounts of cassia cinnamon might cause side effects in some people. The oil contains large amounts of a chemical called coumarin, and some people are sensitive to coumarin. When applied to the skin, cassia oil can sometimes cause skin irritation and allergic skin reactions, so try testing the oil on a small patch of skin first.

Cassia oil might decrease blood sugar, so taking cassia oil along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely if you are using both. Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase) and others.

Taking very large doses of cassia cinnamon might harm the liver, especially in people with existing liver disease. Do not take large amounts of cassia cinnamon if you are taking a medication that can harm the liver. Some medications that can harm the liver include acetaminophen (Tylenol and others), amiodarone (Cordarone), carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid (INH), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), methyldopa (Aldomet), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), erythromycin (Erythrocin, Ilosone, others), phenytoin (Dilantin), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor) and many others.