Cassia essential oil has a strong, spicy aroma with a warming sweet fragrance which is very calming and soothing especially during the cold season. It has been identified as one of the oldest spices discovered by mankind. The cassia plant originated in Southern China and then spread out to Southeast Asia. It is interesting to note that cassia and cinnamon are similar and sometimes even referred to as the same, however their distinct differences lie in the fact that they are extracted from different plants -cassia comes from Cinnamomum cassiae and steam distilled from the stems and bark of the cassia shrub, while cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is distilled from the bark of the cinnamon tree. Both cassia and cinnamon plants grow in places where other plants are unable to grow.
Cassia was known for its high commercial value and is mentioned as one of the commodities for trade in Ezekiel 27:19:
Dan and Javan paid for your wares, traversing back and forth. Wrought iron, cassia, and cane were among your merchandise
In Psalm 45:8, cassia essential oil is also mentioned:
All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia, Out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad.
The context of the above verse is in relation to Jesus the Messiah and His Bride (The Church) where the splendour and majesty of the Messiah is described with fragrant oils to His delight, and cassia being one of the essential oils fit for the King of Kings!
Cassia (along with cinnamon, lemongrass, clove, cedar, etc) is an effective snake repellent. The significance of this is that Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Saviour has completely defeated the Devil (aka the old serpent) our enemy, and his cohorts through the power of His death, resurrection and ascension.
See Colossians 2:14 -15
Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
Hallelujah!
Remember….
The Passover season is a time to reflect on the selfless love demonstrated by Jesus Christ who willingly gave up His life for you and me, following events leading to his intense prayer in the garden of Gethsemane and then his arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and ascension, to bring us back to the garden of sweet, fragrant love and intimacy with God once again.
Uses:
In addition to amazing fragrances and essential oils, Cassia has variety of uses such as providing emotional balance, anti-stress relief, soothing the skin, promoting healthy immune function, aid digestion, insect repellant.
We invite you to journey with us in the coming blogs as we continue to explore some of the 5 ingredients that make up the holy anointing oil, with their unique fragrances and meaning, bringing life and wellness to your hearts and your homes!