Ocotea (Ocotea quixos)
Ocotea is a warm, spicy single oil from Ecuador, often described as a gentler cousin of cinnamon in aroma.
How to use it
2–3 drops brings a warm, cozy note to fall and winter blends; pairs with citrus like orange.
Keep dilution around 1–2% in a carrier oil and patch-test — it can still be warming.
Safety in detail
- Max dermal use
- Dilute low in a carrier oil for skin
- Phototoxic
- No
- Contains cinnamaldehyde-type constituents, so it can irritate or sensitise skin — dilute low and patch-test, and don't apply neat.
- Not phototoxic. Keep out of reach of children.
Sources: Molecules study (2021)
Composition & chemistry
- (E)-Cinnamaldehyde 25%
- Methyl cinnamate 15%
- Cinnamyl acetate 8%
- β-Caryophyllene 8%
- 1,8-Cineole 6%
- Sabinene 5%
- Other minor constituents 33%
- (E)-Cinnamaldehyde — a warm-spice aldehyde shared with cinnamon; contributes to ocotea's aroma and, like in cinnamon, calls for careful dilution Molecules study (2021)
Steam-distilled ocotea (Ocotea quixos) from Ecuador; a cinnamon-relative oil whose composition varies, often led by cinnamaldehyde-type constituents and sesquiterpenes.
Source: Molecules study on Ocotea quixos essential oil variability (2021)Nicknamed false cinnamon, its warmth comes from methyl cinnamate rather than cinnamaldehyde.
What the research says
An honest read of the published research — what has actually been studied, at what stage. Not medical advice or a promise of results.
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Ocotea quixos oil has been studied for anti-inflammatory-related and antimicrobial activity in the laboratory. These are in-vitro/preclinical findings, not clinical proof of a health benefit.
Molecules study (2021)
Evidence & sources
Peer-reviewed research on Ocotea's chemistry and safety. These describe composition and documented effects — not health or treatment claims.
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Ocotea (a South American relative of cinnamon) contains cinnamaldehyde-type constituents alongside sesquiterpenes, giving it a warm, spicy-woody aroma with a cinnamon-like edge.
Molecules study (2021)
Frequently asked questions
Is ocotea related to cinnamon?
Yes — Ocotea quixos is in the same family (Lauraceae) as cinnamon and shares some cinnamaldehyde-type chemistry, which is why it smells warmly spicy. It's often described as a gentler, more rounded cinnamon-type aroma. Molecules study (2021)
Is ocotea harsh on skin like cinnamon?
It's milder than cinnamon bark but still contains cinnamaldehyde-type constituents, so dilute it low, patch-test, and don't apply it neat. Molecules study (2021)
Is ocotea phototoxic?
No — it isn't phototoxic. The main precaution is its cinnamaldehyde-type content, which calls for careful dilution, not sun avoidance.
Gallery
The tree & source
Ocotea quixos is a tree in the laurel family (Lauraceae) native to the cloud forests and rainforest fringes of the Ecuadorian Amazon. It’s a far less familiar plant than true cinnamon — most people encountering the oil for the first time have never heard of the tree it comes from.
How it’s extracted
The oil is steam-distilled from the bark, similar in principle to how true cinnamon bark oil is produced, though the two trees aren’t botanically related.
Why it’s compared to cinnamon
Ocotea is sometimes nicknamed “false cinnamon” because its warm, spicy aroma resembles true cinnamon bark. Chemically, though, the resemblance comes from a different compound: ocotea’s warmth is driven mainly by methyl cinnamate, while true cinnamon bark’s heat comes from cinnamaldehyde — related in effect, distinct in structure, which is part of why ocotea tends to feel a little smoother and less sharp on skin.
Traditional & everyday uses
In the diffuser: 2–3 drops brings a warm, cozy note well-suited to fall and winter blends, and it pairs naturally with citrus oils like orange.
On skin: while gentler than cinnamon bark, ocotea can still be warming, so keep dilution to around 1–2% in a carrier oil and patch-test before broader use, especially on sensitive skin.
Sourcing note
Because ocotea isn’t a household name like cinnamon, buying from a source that verifies species and origin matters more here than with common kitchen-spice oils.
Found in these blends
Ocotea is one of the oils inside 9 Young Living blends.