I was completely unaware that there were four main types of cinnamon and that one should not be used as a daily supplement. I've used cinnamon powder in my coffee, french toast, cinnamon roll, and even ice cream. I had purchased a bag of cinnamon sticks from a grocery store and have enjoyed them in my teas. Unless it's marked as Ceylon, it's most likely cassia. I don't take cinnamon as a supplement, but I do enjoy putting cinnamon sticks in my teas. I'll need to purchase Ceylon cinnamon sticks in the future since I like having cinnamon in my daily tea.
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 inner bark of the cinnamon tree(cinnamomum zeylanicum or Cinnamomum verum) is what is used to make Ceylon cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon is easily found online or in specialty stores. The inner bark of the cassia tree (Cinnamomum cassia) is used to make Rou Gui.
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.
Cinnamon was in Mose's anointing oil (Bible). The Romans used it in funerals to hide the smell of dead bodies.
Ceylon cinnamon are usually marked as Ceylon. Unmarked cinnamon are usually Cassia.
Ceylon and Cassia cinnamon bark are 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.
Native: Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, India, Taiwan, Mayanmar, Indonesia, China
Spleen and Kidney yang deficiency: stomach ache, poor appetite, diarrhea
Huang Bai + Zhi Mu
Kidney deficiency: difficulty urinating
Ma Huang + Shu Di Huang
Localized and painful swelling that blends into the tissue
Huang Qi
Boils from qi and blood deficiency
Formulas with Rou Gui
Ai Fu Nuan Gong Wan • Bao Yuan Tang • Da Ying Jian • Di Huang Yin Zi • Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang • Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin • Hei Xi Dan • Jia Wei Shen Qi Qan • Ju He Wan • Juan Bi Tang • Long Chi Qing Hun Tang • Mu Xiang Liu Qi Yin • Nuan Gan Jian • Qi Zhen San • Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang • Rou Fu Bao Yuan Tang • Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang • Shao Yao Tang • Shi Quan Da Bu Tang • Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang • Wen Yang Bu Gan Jian • Wu Ji San • Xiao Xu Ming Tang • Yan Hu Suo Tang • Yang He Tang • You Gui Wan • You Gui Yin • Zan Yu Dan • Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang
Variations for Rou Gui
Gui Pi - only used for culinary flavoring with little or no medicinal value.
Guan Gui - Drier than Rou Gui and more effective for clearing dampness and warming the middle burner and spleen. It is weaker than Rou Gui in its other benefits. It has less oil than Rou Gui. It is the thin barks of trees that are 6-7 years old
Rou Gui Xin (Gui Xin) - cinnamon bark cleaned of its fine, cork-like layer. It has the strongest effect for reinforcing heart Yang and for re-establishing the interaction between the heart and kidneys.
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.
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