Other Names: Kyechi (Korean) • Keishi (Japanese) Plant Family: Lauraceae
There are two main types of cinnamon - Ceylon and Cassia. Ceylon cinnamon is what is considered true cinnamon. It is much more expensive than Cassia and produced primarily out of Ceylon, Sri Lanka. Cassia cinnamon is used in Chinese medicine. While both types are discussed in this blog, Cassia cinnamon is the focus in the Chinese Medicine section.The bark of the cinnamon tree(cinnamomum zeylanicum) is what is used to make cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon is easily found online or in specialty stores, while cassia cinnamon is what is commonly seen in grocery stores as spices.
The key difference between the two types is the amount of coumarin. Coumarin is a blood thinner commonly known in the drug Wafarin. If cinnamon is used only for cooking or flavor on top of coffee now and then, Cassia is commonly available and inexpensive. If cinnamon is used as a daily supplement, then the recommendation seems to be for Ceylon since daily doses of coumarin may have adverse effects.
Gui Zhi is used in 44/113 (39%) of the formulas in Shang Han Lun.
Cinnamon was in Mose's anointing oil (Bible). The Romans used it in funerals to hide the smell of dead bodies. Cassia cinnamon (Chinese cinnamon) is listed in the following pharmacopeias: German Commission E 1992 • Martindale Extra Pharmacopoeia (26th ed)
Species
There are mainly four types of cinnamon: Ceylon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Indonesian (Cinnamomum burmanni), Vietnamese (Cinnamomum loureiroi), and Cassia (Cinnamomum aromaticum). Ceylon has the least amount of coumarin while Cassia has the most.
♦ Contains 1.0% coumarin (blood thinner), toxic at 2 teaspoon or more daily. ♦ Reduces blood sugar spikes, increase insulin sensitivity ♦ Stronger flavor (95% of its oil is cinnamaldehyde) ♦ Dark brown color ♦ blocks tau buildup - part of Alzheimer's disease
Growth
Cinnamomi cassiae, also call Cinnamomum Aromaticum, is in the USDA Plant Database. Drill down via USDA Interactive Map:
Panax Ginseng – USDA Plant Database
Texas – USDA Plant Database
USA: Cinnamomi cassiae is not available in the wild. USDA Zones: 9-11.
World: Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, India, Taiwan, Mayanmar, Indonesia, China
Blood stasis gynecological disorders, pain from injury
Qiang Huo + Du Huo + Fang Feng +Wei Ling Xian
Rheumatoid arthritis
Dui Yao Pairs
Purpose
Gui Zhi + Bai Shao
Cold/influenza: fever, not thirsty, chills, mild sweating. Exterior wind cold yin-wei disharmony. ♦ Unexplained sweating and aversion to cold. ♦ Chest pains from heart yang deficiency and qi/blood disharmony ♦ Morning sickness ♦ Abdominal pain and cramps
Formulas with Gui Zhi
Chai Hu Gui Zhi Gan Jiang Tang • Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang • Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang • Da Qing Long Tang • Dang Gui Si Ni Tang • Fu Ling Gui Zhi Gan CaoDa Zao Tang • Ge Gen Jia Ban Xia Tang • Ge Gen Tang • Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan • Gui Zhi Gan Cao Tang • Gui Zhi Jia Fu Zi Tang • Gui Zhi Jia Ge Gen Tang • Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang • Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang • Gui Zhi Tang • Huang Lian Tang • Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang • Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang • Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan • Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang • Ma Huang Tang • Tao He Cheng Qi Tang • Wei Ling Tang • Wen Jing Tang • Wu Ling San • Wu Mei Wan • Xiao Jian Zhong Tang • Xiao Qing Long Tang • Zai Zao San • Zhi Gan Cao Tang • Zhi Shi Gua Lou Gui Zhi Tang • Zhi Shi Xie Bai Gui Zhi Tang
Alert
Be cautions with all medicine.
Do not use during pregnancy
Do not use Cassia cinnamon at least 2 weeks before surgery because its coumarin content
Potential Drug Interactions
Herbal medicine may interact negatively with pharma drugs and other herbs. Examples below:
Herbs: ♦ Antagonize: Chi Shi Zhi ♦ Anticoagulants: American Ginseng, Arnica, Rou Gui, Chamomile, Dan Shen, Dang Gui, Deertongue, Sheng Jiang, Goji Berry, Ginko Nutes, Notoginseng, Peach Kernel, Hong Hua, Sweet Clover, Vanilla Grass
Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience. While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts, variations may result from the numerous English translations. Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs. The information here is strictly for educational purposes.
0 Comments