Factory-Direct High-Quality Cinnamomum cassia (Rougui) - Herbal Grade & Culinary Spice Grade Gui Zhi

Cinnamon is the dried bark of the Cinnamomum tree, not only a common spice but also a very important warming interior medicine. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it has the unique function of "conducting fire back to its source" and is revered as the "essential herb for warming yang."

I. Core Efficacy and Clinical Applications

1. Supplementing Fire and Assisting Yang (Core Efficacy)

• Meaning: Supplements the fire of the life gate (kidney yang) and is a key medicinal for treating kidney yang deficiency and decline.

• Applications:

  • Kidney Yang Deficiency: Manifested as aversion to cold and cold limbs, cold pain in the lower back and knees, low spirits, clear and copious urine or frequent nocturia, male impotence and premature ejaculation, female uterine coldness and infertility. Representative formula: Jinkui Shenqi Wan (Golden Cabinet's Kidney Qi Pill/Gui Fu Dihuang Wan).

  • Conducting Fire Back to Its Source: This is the most subtle function of cinnamon. Used to treat "upper heat, lower cold" syndrome caused by floating of deficient yang. Examples include a floating red complexion, mouth and tongue sores, toothache, sore throat (appearing as excessive heat), but accompanied by cold lower limbs, clear and copious urine, and a pale, swollen tongue. Cinnamon can guide the floating deficient fire back to the kidneys, thereby eliminating the upper-body "false heat" symptoms.

2. Dispelling Cold and Relieving Pain

• Meaning: Warms and unblocks the meridians, dispels cold pathogens, thereby alleviating pain.

• Applications:

  • Cold Bi (Painful Obstruction) and Lower Back Pain: Joint cold pain and restricted movement caused by cold-dampness, especially cold pain in the lower back and knees.

  • Epigastric/Abdominal Cold Pain, Cold Hernia Abdominal Pain: Cold pain in the stomach and abdomen due to cold exposure or yang deficiency.

  • Dysmenorrhea and Amenorrhea due to Blood Cold: Female dysmenorrhea, menstrual clots, delayed menstruation, or even amenorrhea caused by cold congelation in the uterus.

3. Warming and Unblocking the Meridians

• Meaning: Promotes the movement of qi and blood within the meridians.

• Applications:

  • Yin Ju (Cold-Type Abscesses/Ulcers): Such as chronic non-healing ulcers, deep abscesses, and joint tuberculosis, where the affected area is diffusely swollen without a defined head, skin color unchanged, sore and aching but not hot. Representative formula: Yanghe Tang (Yang-Harmonizing Decoction), where cinnamon warms and unblocks the blood vessels, promoting pus dispersion and ulcer healing.

  • Chest Impediment and Heart Pain: Chest tightness and heart pain due to cold congelation or yang deficiency obstructing the heart vessels, often used with blood-activating and stasis-dispelling herbs.

4. Invigorating and Promoting Qi and Blood Generation

• Meaning: Adding a small amount of cinnamon to qi-tonifying and blood-nourishing formulas can warm and move yang qi, invigorate the generation of qi and blood, and enhance the tonic effect.

• Applications:

  • In formulas treating dual deficiency of qi and blood, such as Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Complete Great Tonification Decoction), a small amount of cinnamon is often added to make the supplementation non-stagnating and promote blood generation.

II. Modern Pharmacological Research Perspective

1. Cardiovascular System: Can dilate blood vessels, improve blood circulation, especially peripheral circulation; has a certain cardiotonic effect.

2. Blood Sugar Reduction: Components (such as methylhydroxychalcone polymers) can enhance insulin sensitivity and assist in regulating blood sugar.

3. Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic: Inhibits inflammatory responses and pain.

4. Antibacterial: Inhibits various bacteria and fungi.

5. Stomachic: Stimulates gastric secretion and promotes digestion.

III. Home and Dietary Applications (Cinnamon Powder/Sticks)
Cinnamon is aromatic and an excellent example of a medicinal food.

1. Cinnamon Apple Tea: Boil apple pieces with water, add a cinnamon stick and a little brown sugar. Warms the middle and dispels cold, suitable for autumn and winter.

2. Baking Spice: Cinnamon powder is a key spice in making bread, pastries (like cinnamon rolls), and pumpkin pie.

3. Braised Meats and Marinades: Adding a small piece of cinnamon when braising lamb, beef, or red-braised pork removes gaminess, enhances aroma, and warms the middle and stomach.

4. Coffee/Mulled Wine: Adding a little cinnamon powder or a stick to coffee or mulled wine gives a unique flavor and a warming effect.

IV. Important Precautions and Contraindications
Cinnamon has a hot nature and potent action, requiring extra caution in use.

1. Use Based on Pattern Differentiation, Clear Contraindications:

   • Suitable for: Those with yang deficiency with internal cold, cold congelation and blood stagnation, or floating of deficient yang.

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   • Absolutely Contraindicated in:

     • Yin Deficiency with Effulgent Fire: Manifested as tidal fever, night sweats, dry mouth, sore throat, red tongue with little/no coating. Using cinnamon is like adding fuel to a fire.

     • Excess Heat Patterns: Such as high fever, constipation, bad breath, red tongue with yellow coating. Cinnamon will worsen the heat signs.

     • Heat Causing Reckless Blood Flow: Bleeding patterns with bright red blood (e.g., hematemesis, epistaxis).

     • Use with Caution in Pregnancy: Due to its blood-activating and meridian-unblocking properties, it may increase the risk of fetal movement. Consultation with a doctor is essential if use is considered.

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