Cinnamon is effective in warming the interior, alleviating cold pain, promoting blood circulation, and regulating menstruation. It can also tonify fire and support Yang, guiding fire back to its source. It is commonly used for conditions such as kidney Yang deficiency, decline of Mingmen fire leading to impotence, coldness in the uterus, cold pain in the lower back and knees, cold pain in the heart and abdomen, deficiency cold vomiting and diarrhea, asthma due to kidney deficiency, dizziness due to Yang deficiency, cold hernia, amenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea.
Alias: Gui Pi (Cinnamon), Yu Gui (Cassia), Da Gui (Large Cinnamon), Zi Gui (Purple Cinnamon), Mu Gui (Male Cinnamon).
Properties: Pungent, sweet, and very warming.
Meridians: Enters the Kidney, Spleen, Heart, and Liver meridians.
According to the Tang Ye Ben Cao: “Tonifies the deficiency of Mingmen and benefits fire while eliminating Yin.“
According to the Ben Cao Jing Shu: “It has a thick, sweet, and pungent flavor, and descends to the interior. Therefore, cinnamon and cinnamon heart treat the deficiency of true fire in Mingmen, Yang deficiency with cold movement within, and all interior deficiency with Yin cold, as well as diseases caused by cold evil invading the interior.“
This product is the dried bark of the cinnamon tree from the Lauraceae family, harvested mainly in autumn and dried in the shade. The bark harvested in April to May is called spring cinnamon and is of inferior quality, while that harvested in September is called autumn cinnamon and is of superior quality.
There are varieties of cinnamon such as Guan Gui, Qi Bian Gui, and Ban Gui. The best medicinal effect is from Ban Gui, followed by Qi Bian Gui, while Guan Gui has slightly weaker medicinal properties. One can choose according to personal conditions.
The best cinnamon comes from Quang Hoa in Vietnam and Guangxi in China, characterized by a fine surface, thick and heavy bark, non-fragile, high oil content, strong aroma, sweet and slightly pungent flavor, and minimal residue when chewed.
Dosage: Cinnamon is often used with Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Fu Zi (Aconite), Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus), Chuan Jiao (Sichuan Pepper), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra), Dang Gui (Angelica), and Du Zhong (Eucommia) to enhance its fire-tonifying and Yang-supporting effects. It can be decocted, infused in liquor, stewed in soup, or made into pills.
When using, scrape off the rough skin and crush it. The common decoction dosage is 2-6 grams, and it should not be boiled for too long. For powdered form, the dosage is 1-2 grams per time.
Suitable for: Individuals with kidney Yang deficiency, decline of Mingmen fire leading to impotence, coldness in the uterus, cold pain in the lower back and knees, frequent urination at night, nocturnal emissions, enuresis, cold pain in the lower back and abdomen due to deficiency cold, spontaneous sweating, palpitations, insomnia, and those with chronic illness leading to body deficiency, insufficient Qi and blood, fear of cold, cold hands and feet, cold-type dysmenorrhea, and amenorrhea.
Not suitable for: Individuals with Yin deficiency and excess fire, those with internal heat, blood heat with tendency to bleed, excessive menstrual flow, as cinnamon is very warming and can easily cause miscarriage, thus it is not suitable for pregnant women.
Three Ingredients Longevity Wine
This wine has the effect of tonifying the kidney and strengthening Yang. Among them, pig kidney, cinnamon, and Du Zhong are all commonly used Yang-tonifying ingredients, and when made into a wine preparation, the effect is even more pronounced. It is beneficial for middle-aged and elderly individuals with kidney Qi deficiency, promoting strength, supporting Yang, and prolonging life.
Ingredients: 2 pig kidneys, 20 grams of cinnamon, 60 grams of Du Zhong, 2000 milliliters of white liquor.
Method: Take 10-15 milliliters on an empty stomach twice daily, in the morning and evening.
1. Clean the pig kidneys, remove the fat glands, and cut them into small pieces after marinating in Sichuan pepper salt water to remove the odor; break the Du Zhong and cinnamon into pieces.
2. Place the Du Zhong, cinnamon, and pig kidneys (the “three ingredients”) into a medicine bag and tie it securely for later use.
3. Put the medicine bag into a clean bottle, pour in the white liquor, cover tightly, and store in a cool place.
4. Shake a few times every other day, and after 15 days, open it, remove the medicine bag, and filter it again with fine gauze or a filter, then store it in a clean bottle.
This wine is very warming and should not be consumed by those with excessive Yang, internal heat, Yin deficiency with internal heat, febrile diseases, patients with bleeding tendencies, or pregnant women. It is also not suitable during hot summer months. Caution for those who should avoid alcohol.
Cinnamon Lamb Soup
Cinnamon and lamb are both warming and dispel cold, tonifying the kidney and strengthening Yang, while lamb also has the effect of strengthening the spleen and stomach, nourishing Qi and blood. Regular consumption of this soup is very beneficial for those with weak Yang Qi of the spleen and kidney, and those with deficiency cold and weakness.
Ingredients: 100 grams of lean lamb, 10 grams of cinnamon.
Seasonings: 15 grams each of cooking wine and starch, a small amount of chopped scallions, and salt to taste.
Method: Consume with meals, eating the meat and drinking the soup.
1. Clean the lean lamb, slice it, and marinate with cooking wine and starch.
2. Place the cinnamon in a pot with an appropriate amount of water and boil for 20 minutes.
3. Add the lamb slices, stir to separate, and skim off the foam when boiling, then season with salt.
4. Serve the lamb soup in a bowl and sprinkle with chopped scallions to finish.
Cinnamon and lamb are both highly warming ingredients, thus not suitable for those with excessive Yang, internal heat, Yin deficiency with internal heat, febrile diseases, patients with bleeding tendencies, or pregnant women. It is also not suitable during hot summer months.