Cinnamomum
cassia. Cinnamon Family: Lauraceae
桂枝 Guì zhī
Cinnamon twigs/sticks FLAVOR:
Pungent, acrid and sweet, pleasant CHANNEL: Bladder, Heart, Lung FUNCTIONS GROUP: Exterior Clearing- Warming
1. Dispelling pathogenic factors from the exterior of the body by diaphoresis.[7]
Diaphoretic antipyretic, however warming channels.[6]
Adjusts the nutritive and protective Qi levels to defend against Exteror Cold.[5]
2. Warms channels and disperses Cold: for Wind-Cold-Damp Bi in joints and limbs,
especially the shoulders.[5] Warms
channels and opens them externally, to produce or prevent perspiration, relaxes
muscles.[1] Warms upper body.[7]
Warms and clears channels and collaterals.[1]
Regulate Blood flow.[6] Promotes hydrosis.[1]
3. Reinforce Yang to promote the flow of Qi: for edema due to accumulation of
Cold Phlegm or weak movement of the Yang Qi.[5]
4. Warms and facilitates the flow of Yang Qi in the chest: for palpitations due
to either stagnation or deficiency.[5] INDICATIONS
1. Exopathogen Wind Cold.[1,5,6]
Wind Cold Dampness.
2. Wind Cold Dampness causing arthralgia. Aches and pains in joints and
extremities.[1] Pains in muscles and
joints. Pain in the back and shoulder, chest pain.[7]
Aching joints of the shoulders and limbs.
3. Blood stasis due to pathogenic Cold in the Blood of women:[6]
Amenorrhoeal abdominal cramps.[1] Suppression
of menses, abdominal pain. Menopause.[7]
Irregular menstruation. Amenorrhea.[1]
4. Cold in middle Heater: Vague pain in the epigastric region which can
be ameliorated by warmth and pressing. Warms up body.[6]
5. Stagnation of Yang Qi and retention of water in the body due to deficiency
of the Heart and Spleen with manifestations of cold feeling in the back, hypochondriac
distension, cough, dyspnea and vertigo.
6. Obstruction of Qi in the chest and chest pain. CONTRAINDICATIONS
Exopathic Wind Heat with Yin Deficiency.[5]
Internal Fire. Bleeding of any kind.[2]
Wind Heat and penetrating Heat diseases, with symptoms of high fever, no perspiration
and flooding pulse. If victims of internal fire take even a gram of Gui zhi they
will develop symptoms of dry mouth and tongue, epistaxis or hematemesis.[6]
Alcoholism.[7] Hot symptoms, including
dry lips, thirst sore throat, vomiting of blood, fever, ulcers.[7]Menstrual disorder caused by excessive Heat.[6]Use with caution during pregnancy or excessive menstruation.[5] PATENT COMBINATIONS
- Accumulation of stagnant Blood
and Phlegm in the lower Heater: Promotes the circulation
of Blood, Removes the Blood Stasis and reduces abdominal masses Cinnamon
& Hoelen- Gui zhi fu ling wan. - Exterior Wind Cold with deficiency of exterior: Releases
exterior Wind-Cold, harmonises Ying and Wei QiCinnamon
Combination- Gui zhi tang. - Stagnation of Phlegm-Fluids:Strengthens the Spleen,
drains Damp, Warms and resolves retention of Phlegm and fluidAtractylodes
& Hoelen- Ling gui zhu gan tang. - Uterus deficient- Cold with Blood stagnation:Warms
the uterus and dispels Cold, nourishes the Blood and dispels blood stasis Danggui
& Evodia- Wen jing tang. - Spleen deficiency with fluid retention: Promotes diuresis,
drains Dampness, strengthens the Spleen, warms the Yang and promotes the transforming
functions of Qi-
Hoelen Five- Wu ling san. - Deficient Cold of middle Heater and dysharmony between Liver and
Spleen:Warms
and tonifies the middle Heater, regulates the Qi and relieves abdominal pain
Minor Cinnamon & Peony- Xiao jian zhong wan. - Exterior Wind Cold with retention of Phlegm and Fluids: Releases
exterior Wind Cold, warms the Lung and Spleen to transform Phlegm and congested
fluids, directs rebellious Qi downwards to relieve cough and dyspnea Minor
Blue Dragon Combination- Xiao qing long wan. - Arthritis- Cook 20 g cinnamon twigs with 30 g fresh ginger
in enough water to cover the spices, boil until the water is reduced by half.
Drink a cupful each time, 3X daily.
REMARKS
Cinnamon twigs are branches from the cinnamon tree. For that reason, the twigs
are most effective for arthritis involving the joints of the 4 limbs, because
tree branches are comparable to a person's 4 limbs. Cinnamon twigs are particularly
effective for the symptoms of the limbs and fingers, because the fingertips are
considered the most remote areas in the body, beyond the reach of many other herbs.[6] PREPARATIONS: Decoction.
Dry twigs 3-9 g.[2,4,5,6]
Good quality is fragrant and has a brownish red color. Harvested in Spring and
Summer.
For inducing diaphoresis, it should be used unprepared and for hemostatic, stir
baked to charcoal.[4]
Decoction 1.5-6 g.[1]
- Numbness of the fingers, skin, and muscles- Boil 3 g cinnamon twigs in water
over low heat. Drink it like tea just before bedtime.
- Arthritis- Boil 20 g cinnamon twigs with 30 g fresh Ginger in enough water to
cover the spices; boil until the water is reduced by half. Drink a cupful each
time, 3 times a day.[7]
肉桂
Ròu guì Bastard cinnamon,
Dutch cinnamon
FLAVOR:Acrid, pungent, sweet, pleasant
CHANNEL: Kidney, Spleen, Bladder, Heart, Liver FUNCTIONS GROUP: Warm the Interior and
Expel Cold
1. Warm and invigorate Spleen Yang and Kidney Yang.Warms the Kidney and
supplements the body fire.[1] Warm the
middle Heater.[6] Strengthen Stomach
and promote secretion.[6]
2. Expel Cold and alleviate pain.[1]
Clear Channels and Blood vessels.[6]
3. Promote circulation of Vital Energy and Blood. INDICATIONS
1. Kidney Yang deficiency
a. Kidney area and urinary pain with soreness and coldness
of the loins and legs, impotence, emission, enuresis or frequent micturition,
dysuria and edema. Cold limbs.[7]
Pain across the loins and knees.
b. Dyspnea caused by Kidney not grabbing Qi- Difficulty
breathing in due to Kidney hypofunction with dyspnea. Inadequate Yang in Kidney,
chilled Lung and coughing and wheezing, lumbago.[1]
Deficiency asthma.[6]
c. Spleen Yang deficiency and Kidney Yang deficiency with
cold pain of the abdomen, poor appetite, loose stools, or diarrhea. Chronic
diseases.[6]
2. Cold Damp Manifesting as Lumbago, colic of Cold type dysmenorrhea
and precoital pain due to stagnation of Cold. Cold visceral organs and chronic
diarrhea, Cold and pain in Heart and abdomen.[1]
Cold abdomen with pain.[7]
3. Gynecological: Period pain, suppression of menses. Cold pain in the lower
abdomen. Late periods. Scanty periods. Cold Blood.[6]
4. Hot sensations in the upper region with cold sensations in the lower region.[7]
Flaming up of deficiency Fire with toothache. Soreness in back and upper limbs.[6]
5. Insufficiency of Vital Energy and Blood. Low blood pressure. PATENT COMBINATIONS
- Bi Syndrome due to deficiency of Liver and Kidney, Qi and Blood,
with attack by Cold, Wind and Damp: Disperses
painful obstruction (Bi syndrome), dispels Wind, Cold and Damp, tonifies the
Liver and Kidney, replenishes the Qi and Blood Du
huo & Loranthus- Du huo ji sheng wan. - Kidney Yang deficiency:Warms and
tonifies the Kidney Yang, tonifies the Qi Rehmannia
Eight Combination- Fu gui ba wei wan.
- Rheumatic and rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis,
muscular sprain, traumatic injury: Expels
Wind, Eliminates Damp, Removes Blood Stasis and promotes circulation Anti-Rheumatic
Plaster- Gou pi gao. - Deficiency of Qi and Blood and Yang, deficiency with Cold symptoms:Tonifies
the Qi, nourishes the Blood and Warms the YangGinseng
& Danggui- Shi quan da bu wan. - Phlegm Cold obstructing the Lung with Kidney unable to grasp the Qi
(Kidney Yang deficiency):Redirects the Qi downwards, stops
coughing and wheezing, warms the Lung and transforms PhlegmPerilla
Fruit Combination- Su zi jiang qi wan. - Kidney Yang deficiency:Warms and tonfies the Kidney Yang, replenishes Kidney Jing (Essence)
nourishes the BloodRight
Returning Combination- You gui wan. - Heat Qi and Blood deficiency: Tonifies Heart
Qi, Nourishes Heart Blood, calms the Shen and tranquilizes the mindAstragalus
& Zizyphus- Zao ren yang xin wan. - Water retention due to Kidney Yang deficiency:Warms Kidney and
Spleen Yang, Tonifies Spleen Qi, promotes diuresisCodonopsis
Combination- Zhen wu tang. - Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency: Strengthens
Spleen and Stomach, regulates digestive system and stops diarrheaSausurea
& Aractylodes- Zhi xie bao tong chong ji.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Hot conditions: excessive menstrual flow, blood in
urine, nosebleed, urination difficulty, discharge of dry stools, cough due to
hot lungs, fever, loss of voice, hemorrhoids, common cold, pregnancy.[2,7] COMPARISONS: For Collapsed conditions use Fu zi rather than
Rou gui because Rou gui too dissipating.[6] PREPARATIONS:Dried
Bark- Dissolve 5 g of powder in water and drink 3 X/ day to cure cold symptoms
(cold abdominal pain, cold abdominal swelling, cold stomach ache). Don't boil-
crush herb into powder and add to other herbs to drink.[6]
Cook individually or loses nature.[6]
Decoction 1-3 g prepared as powder or thin pieces before decocting, only
cooked for a short time. Powder or pill 1-1.5 g.[3]
Decoction 1.2-3 g.[1,6] Dried bark
1-4.5 g.[2]
- Cold symptoms- including cold abdominal pain, cold abdominal swelling, and
cold stomachache- Grind dry cinnamon bark into powder; dissolve 5 g of the powder
in warm water, and drink each time, 3 times a day.[7]
- Abdominal pain in women after childbirth- Dissolve 5 g of the powder in rice
wine, and drink each time, 3 X /day.[7]
- Excessive gastric acid and vomiting of acid- Dissolve 3 g bark powder in warm
water.[7]
- Use Cinnamon bark as a seasoning in cooking to warm up the body.[7] NOTES: As Cinnamon has a hot energy, it can treat almost any
kind of cold symptoms, and can make the lower region warm (which is good for
cold limbs). Some people are fond of cold drink and cold salads. As time goes
on, they may suffer from digestive disorders due to excessive Cold Energies
in the body, which may be treated by Cinnamon bark. People at advanced age (65
to 90 years) are usually weak in energy and blood. They have a tendency to develop
numbness in their skin and Cold arthritis, which means the pain gets worse in
cold weather. If this happens, cinnamon bark may be used to correct the condition.[7]肉桂油
Ròu guì yóu
Essential OilDo not injest as very concentratedand poisonous FUNCTIONS
1 . Expel Wind and strengthen Stomach.[2] PREPARATIONS:Steamed
oil extract.[2] Similar plants
Gui zhi with Ma
huang
Gui zhi is more slowly acting than Ma huang.[1] References
[1] Translation notes from Gary Seiford and Hocu Huhn- NSW College of Natural
Therapies. Sydney Australia (1982).
[1] Barefoot Doctor's Manual- 1977 Prepared
by the Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. Original Chinese manual-
Victor W. Sidel. Originally published by Dr Joseph Quin and the Fogarty International
centre, Bethdesda (1974). Madrona Publishers Seattle Washington ISBN 0-914842-52-8
[2] A Complete English Dictionary of Medicinal Terms in Chinese Acupuncture
and Herbalism 1981- Henry Lu Chinese Foundations of Natural Health- The Academy
of Oriental Heritage, Vancouver, Canada.
[3] Medicated Diet of Traditional Chinese Medicine- Chief Editor- Hou Jinglun.
Associate Editors- Zhao Xin, Li Weidong, Liu Jianxin, Geng Chun-e, Li Guohua,
Li Shaohua. Geijing. Science & Technology Press 1994. ISBN 7-5304-1735-5/R.
309.
[4] The Chinese Materia Medica A practical English - Chinese Library of Traditional
Chinese Medicine Publishing House of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese
Medicine. Director Hu Ximing ISBN 7-81010-111-X/R-110
[5] Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica - Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble - Eastland
Press 1986 Seattle Washington ISBN 0-939616-15-7
[6] Translation notes from Gary Seiford and Hocu Huhn- NSW College of Natural
Therapies. Sydney Australia (1982).
[7] Chinese System of Food Cures Prevention and Remedies. 1986Lu,
Henry. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. New York. USA. Distributed in Australia by
Capricorn Book Co. Pty Ltd. Lane Cove, NSW. ISBN 0-8069-6308-5. Images
1. elicriso.it
2. en.wikipedia.org
by Itineranttrader Public Domain
3. classicalchinesemedicine.org
4. memorizeherbs.com
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the
use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents.
Cinnamon bark
Volatile oil 1-2%.[1]
Tannins.[1] Starch.
Water soluble polyphenol polymers, which support glucose metabolism Essential oil: The oils value is determined by the amount of cinnamaldehye.
Trans-cinnamaldehyde 75-90%,[1,2,13]
with cinnamylacetate,[5] phenylpropylacetate,
orthocumaric aldehyde and numerous trace constituents including salicylaldehyde
and methyleugenol.[2]Cinnamic acid.[13]
Diterpenes, classified into five different types, including the cinncassiols
A-E and their glucosides.[3,4,5]
Tannins and polyphenols; catechin, epicatechin, procyanidins cinnamonol, cinnamtannins.[6,7]
No hydrolysable tannins, mono- or sesquiterpenes have been isolated.[5,7]
Cinnamaldehyde ia a weak CNS stimulant at low doses and a depressant at high
doses and has spasmolytic activity.[8]
Cinnamaldehyde is hypotensive, hypoglycaemic and increases peripheral blood
flow,[9,10] and it reduces platelet
aggregegability by inhibiting both the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways
of arachidonic acid metabolism.[11]
It is however volatile and easily lost from the crude drug and its preparations.[12]
The cinncassiols are thought to be responsible for at least some of the anti-allergic
effects.[3,4] References
[1] British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983 Published by the British Herbal Medicine
Association ISBN 0 903032 07 4.
[2] Senayake, U. M. et al (1978) J. Agric. Food Chem. 20, 822
[3] Nohara, T. et al. (1985) Phytochem. 21 (8), 2130
[4] Nohara, T. et al. (1985) Phytochem. 24 (8), 1849
[5] Hikino, H. Edonomic and Medicinal Plant Research, Vol 1. Pub. Academic Press
(1985) UK
[6] Otsuka, H. et al. (1982) Yakugaju Zasshi 102, 162
[7] Morimoto, S. et al. (1982) Abstra. 28th Ann. Meeting Japan Pharm.
Soc. p555.
[8] Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese Materia Medica Vol 1, Ed. H. Chan
and P. But, Pub. World Scientific (1986) Singapore
[9] Harada, M. and Yamazaki, R. (1981) Abstr. 64th Meeting Kanto Branch Japan
Pharmacol. Soc. p27
[10] Harada, M. and Hirayama, Y. (1979) ibid 60th Meeting p34
[11] Yahara, K, et al. (1986) 6th Int. Conf. Prostaglandins and Related
Compounds, Florence, Italy. June 3rd-6th. Pub. Fondzione Giovanni Lorenzini
[12] Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations R.C.
Wren Revised by Elizabeth M. Williamson and Fred J Evans. First published in
Great Britain in 1988 and reprinted in 1989 and 1994 by the C. W. Daniel Company
Limited. 1 Church Path, Saffron Walden Essex. Published 1988 Printed and bound
by Biddles, Guildford ISBN 085207 1973.
[13] Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica - Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble -
Eastland Press 1986 Seattle Washington ISBN 0-939616-15-7
Research.
Cassia has shown promising results as a radiation protective agent, increasing
survival times and leukocyte and platelet counts in vivo experiments
in China.[1] References
[1] Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese
Materia Medica Vol 1, Ed. H. Chan and P. But, Pub. World Scientific (1986) Singapore
Cinnamon and health.
Gruenwald J, Freder J, Armbruester N. Abstract
Cinnamon has been used as a spice and as traditional herbal medicine for centuries.
The available in vitro and animal in vivo evidence suggests that cinnamon has
anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, cardiovascular, cholesterol-lowering,
and immunomodulatory effects. In vitro studies have demonstrated that cinnamon
may act as an insulin mimetic, to potentiate insulin activity or to stimulate
cellular glucose metabolism. Furthermore, animal studies have demonstrated strong
hypoglycemic properties. However, there are only very few well-controlled clinical
studies, a fact that limits the conclusions that can be made about the potential
health benefits of cinnamon for free-living humans. The use of cinnamon as an
adjunct to the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most promising area,
but further research is needed before definitive recommendations can be made.
Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2010 Oct;50(9):822-34. doi: 10.1080/10408390902773052.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Cinnamon use in type 2 diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.
Allen RW, Schwartzman E, Baker WL, Coleman CI, Phung OJ. Abstract
PURPOSE:
Cinnamon has been studied in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for its glycemic-lowering
effects, but studies have been small and show conflicting results. A prior meta-analysis
did not show significant results, but several RCTs have been published since
then. We conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs evaluating
cinnamon's effect on glycemia and lipid levels. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled
Trials (CENTRAL) were searched through February 2012. Included RCTs evaluated
cinnamon compared with control in patients with type 2 diabetes and reported
at least one of the following: glycated hemoglobin (A1c), fasting plasma glucose,
total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density
lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), or triglycerides. Weighted mean differences
(with 95% confidence intervals) for endpoints were calculated using random-effects
models. RESULTS:
In a meta-analysis of 10 RCTs (n = 543 patients), cinnamon doses of 120 mg/d
to 6 g/d for 4 to 18 weeks reduced levels of fasting plasma glucose (-24.59
mg/dL; 95% CI, -40.52 to -8.67 mg/dL), total cholesterol (-15.60 mg/dL; 95%
CI, -29.76 to -1.44 mg/dL), LDL-C (-9.42 mg/dL; 95% CI, -17.21 to -1.63 mg/dL),
and triglycerides (-29.59 mg/dL; 95% CI, -48.27 to -10.91 mg/dL). Cinnamon also
increased levels of HDL-C (1.66 mg/dL; 95% CI, 1.09 to 2.24 mg/dL). No significant
effect on hemoglobin A1c levels (-0.16%; 95%, CI -0.39% to 0.02%) was seen.
High degrees of heterogeneity were present for all analyses except HDL-C (I(2)
ranging from 66.5% to 94.72%). CONCLUSIONS:
The consumption of cinnamon is associated with a statistically significant decrease
in levels of fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglyceride
levels, and an increase in HDL-C levels; however, no significant effect on hemoglobin
A1c was found. The high degree of heterogeneity may limit the ability to apply
these results to patient care, because the preferred dose and duration of therapy
are unclear. Ann Fam Med. 2013 Sep-Oct;11(5):452-9. doi: 10.1370/afm.1517. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Antidiabetic effect of Cinnamomum cassia and Cinnamomum zeylanicum in
vivo and in vitro. Verspohl EJ, Bauer K, Neddermann E. Abstract
Rats were given Cinnamomum cassia bark or extracts from Cinnamomum cassia and
zeylanicum to evaluate blood glucose and plasma insulin levels in rats under
various conditions. The cassia extract was superior to the zeylanicum extract.
The cassia extract was slightly more efficacious than the equivalent amount
of Cassia bark. A decrease in blood glucose levels was observed in a glucose
tolerance test (GTT), whereas it was not obvious in rats that were not challenged
by a glucose load. The elevation in plasma insulin was direct since a stimulatory
in vitro effect of insulin release from INS-1 cells (an insulin secreting cell
line) was observed. Thus the cassia extract has a direct antidiabetic potency.
PMID: 15934022 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.1643 Phytother Res. 2005 Mar;19(3):203-6. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov