Respecting the Medical Way ● Helping the World
In the ancient theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Yang Qi is metaphorically compared to the sun within the body, warming our physical form and warding off external pathogenic factors. Once Yang Qi is deficient, our bodies become sensitive to cold, our resistance weakens, and we become prone to illness. A gust of wind can lead to a cold, and recovery can be slow once we fall ill. These symptoms remind us that it is time to replenish our Yang Qi.
When it comes to replenishing Yang, cinnamon (rou gui) is undoubtedly a rare and excellent choice. Cinnamon is spicy and has a warming nature, capable of warming and supplementing the fire of the life gate (ming men), guiding fire back to the source, making it a good medicine for replenishing Yang.
Today, I would like to share with you how to cleverly pair cinnamon to replenish our Yang Qi.
First, we can combine cinnamon with Huang Qi (Astragalus), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Shao Yao (Peony), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), and Da Zao (Jujube) to create the Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang (Huang Qi and Cinnamon Five Ingredients Decoction). This formula can warm and open the heart meridian, invigorate heart Yang, and promote the circulation of Qi and blood. If you often experience spontaneous sweating, sensitivity to cold, along with symptoms like palpitations and chest tightness, this formula may help you.
Secondly, we can pair cinnamon with Li Zhong Wan (Regulate the Middle Pill) to warm and supplement the Spleen Yang. Individuals with Spleen Yang deficiency often have cold limbs, poor appetite, indigestion, and loose stools. This is because the Spleen prefers warmth and dislikes cold; it must be kept in a warm environment to function properly. The Li Zhong Wan itself has the effect of warming the middle and dispelling cold, and adding cinnamon enhances the Yang-replenishing effect.
Finally, we can use cinnamon paired with Fu Zi (Aconite) to replenish Kidney Yang. Cinnamon is good at sinking and holding; Fu Zi is good at moving and dispersing. When these two herbs are combined, they can replenish Kidney Yang while warming and opening the meridians, allowing Yang Qi to reach every corner of the body. This combination may help with symptoms of Kidney Yang deficiency and life gate fire decline, such as cold limbs and profuse sweating.
☯ Cinnamon Pairing Recipes:
1. Cinnamon, Ginger, and Jujube Soup
• Ingredients: 5g cinnamon slices, 3 slices of ginger, 5 jujubes, 1000ml water.
• Method: Lightly crush the cinnamon slices, slice the ginger, and wash and pit the jujubes. Place the cinnamon, ginger, and jujubes in a pot, add water, bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes.
• Effect: Warms the middle, dispels cold, and replenishes Yang Qi.
2. Cinnamon, Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), and Brown Sugar Drink
• Ingredients: 3g cinnamon, 5g Bai Zhu, appropriate amount of brown sugar, 500ml water.
• Method: Crush the cinnamon with the back of a knife, slice the Bai Zhu. Boil water, add cinnamon and Bai Zhu slices, bring to a boil again, then simmer for 15 minutes, adding brown sugar to taste until fully dissolved.
• Effect: Replenishes Yang and benefits Qi, suitable for those with Qi and blood deficiency.
3. Cinnamon and Walnut Porridge
• Ingredients: 3g cinnamon, several walnuts, 100g fresh rice, appropriate amount of water.
• Method: Wash the walnuts and stir-fry until slightly yellow. Wash the rice, add enough water to boil, then add cinnamon and stir-fried walnuts, continue to cook on low heat until the porridge thickens.
• Effect: Replenishes Yang and benefits the mind, promotes digestion.
4. Cinnamon Black Tea
• Ingredients: Appropriate amount of cinnamon powder, appropriate amount of black tea.
• Method: Sprinkle cinnamon powder into brewed black tea.
• Effect: Refreshes the mind and warms the body.
5. Cinnamon and Dried Ginger Tea
• Ingredients: Appropriate amount of cinnamon, appropriate amount of dried ginger.
• Method: Place cinnamon and dried ginger in a cup, pour in boiling water to brew.
• Effect: Warms the middle, dispels cold, and stimulates internal Yang Qi.
☯ Here are some recipes for cinnamon’s Yang-replenishing effects:
1. Cinnamon Lamb Soup
Ingredients:
• 3-5g cinnamon
• 250g lamb
• 3 slices of ginger
• Appropriate amount of salt
Method:
1. Clean the lamb, cut into pieces, and blanch to remove the odor.
2. Place cinnamon, ginger, and lamb in a pot, add appropriate amount of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for about 1-1.5 hours until the lamb is tender.
4. Add appropriate amount of salt to taste.
Effect:
• Lamb has the effect of warming and supplementing the Spleen and Stomach, and tonifying Kidney Yang.
• Cinnamon can warm and supplement the fire of the life gate, guiding fire back to the source.
• The combination enhances the Yang-replenishing effect, suitable for those with Kidney Yang deficiency and cold limbs.
2. Cinnamon Walnut Jujube Porridge
Ingredients:
• 2-3g cinnamon
• 50g walnuts
• 8-10 jujubes
• 100g rice
Method:
1. Wash the rice and add appropriate amount of water to boil.
2. Add cinnamon, walnuts, and jujubes, and continue to cook.
3. Simmer on low heat until the porridge thickens, then serve.
Effect:
• Walnuts have the effect of tonifying the Kidney and benefiting the mind, warming and supplementing the Lung and Kidney.
• Jujubes can tonify Qi and nourish blood, calming the mind.
• The combination of cinnamon, walnuts, and jujubes enhances the Yang-replenishing effect, suitable for those with Kidney Yang deficiency and soreness in the lower back and knees.
3. Cinnamon Honey Drink
Ingredients:
• 1-2g cinnamon powder
• Appropriate amount of honey
• Appropriate amount of warm water
Method:
1. Stir cinnamon powder into warm water until well mixed.
2. Add appropriate amount of honey to taste.
Effect:
• Cinnamon can warm and supplement the fire of the life gate, dispelling cold and alleviating pain.
• Honey has the effect of moistening the Lung, stopping cough, and promoting bowel movements.
• The combination can both replenish Yang and moisten dryness, suitable for those with Yang deficiency and constipation.
4. Cinnamon and Aconite Stewed Chicken
Ingredients:
• 3-5g cinnamon
• 5-10g Aconite (must be boiled for half an hour to remove toxicity)
• 500g chicken
• 3 slices of ginger
• Appropriate amount of salt
Method:
1. Boil Aconite for half an hour, strain and reserve the liquid.
2. Clean the chicken, cut into pieces, and blanch to remove the odor.
3. Place cinnamon, ginger, and chicken in a pot, add Aconite liquid and appropriate amount of water.
4. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for about 1-1.5 hours until the chicken is tender.
5. Add appropriate amount of salt to taste.
Effect:
• Aconite has the effect of warming and supplementing Kidney Yang, dispelling cold and alleviating pain.
• Combined with cinnamon, it enhances the Yang-replenishing effect, suitable for those with Kidney Yang deficiency and cold pain in the lower back and knees.
Precautions:
1. Although cinnamon is beneficial, it should not be consumed in excess to avoid discomfort.
2. When consuming cinnamon, pay attention to ingredient combinations to avoid incompatible foods.
3. For long-term body conditioning, it is recommended to do so under the guidance of a professional TCM practitioner.
These concise cinnamon Yang-replenishing recipes are not only convenient but also effectively replenish Yang Qi, keeping you warm and healthy during the cold winter months.
In conclusion, by cleverly pairing cinnamon, we can replenish Yang Qi throughout the body, making us healthier and more energetic. Of course, it is best to consult a professional TCM practitioner before using these formulas to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Share with joy, the merit is boundless
Not reacting is a form of practice;
Not competing is a form of generosity;
Not explaining is a form of wisdom.
——【Elegant Phrase】
Let wisdom and compassion never cease!
Respecting the Medical Way ☯ Helping the World