Good medicine is often not found in pharmacies, but in the kitchen. One essential spice in the kitchen is Rou Gui (Cinnamon). Many people only know to use cinnamon as a seasoning, but it can also be used to address various health issues. Today, I will share 7 uses of cinnamon that can help with many minor ailments.
What kind of medicine is cinnamon? Rou Gui is derived from the bark of the cinnamon tree, similar to Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), but while Gui Zhi uses the tender twigs, Rou Gui uses the bark from the main trunk.
Gui Zhi is warming, and Rou Gui is also warming, but Rou Gui is slightly hotter than Gui Zhi. What is the difference? Gui Zhi is a branch, so it disperses energy outward, expelling cold and promoting energy flow.
In contrast, Rou Gui is the bark of the trunk, and its action is to draw energy downward, consolidating it. Therefore, the main effect of Rou Gui can be summarized in four words: Yin Huo Gui Yuan (Returning Fire to the Source).
Now, let’s explore the 7 major uses of Rou Gui:
1. Use Rou Gui to dispel cold and treat pediatric diarrhea.
Since Rou Gui is a pungent and warming herb, it is often used to treat cold syndromes. There is a navel patch called “Ding Xiang Rou Gui Navel Patch,” which consists of: Ding Xiang (Clove) + Rou Gui (Cinnamon) + Hua Jiao (Sichuan Pepper), mixed with honey to form balls that are applied to the navel, specifically for treating diarrhea in babies caused by cold.
If you prefer not to use this patch, you can simply mix Rou Gui powder with honey to form balls and apply them to the baby’s navel. The main principle is to use the warming properties of Rou Gui to expel cold, thus resolving the illness.
2. Rou Gui returns fire to the source, used to treat toothache from deficiency heat.
Many toothaches recur due to deficiency heat. This type of toothache requires returning fire to the source. A simple method is to apply Rou Gui powder to the soles of the feet for relief.
Specific method: Mix 10g of Rou Gui powder with a bit of vinegar to form a paste, apply it to the soles, cover with plastic wrap, and enjoy a good night’s sleep. You will find that the toothache is gone by morning.
3. Rou Gui directs fire downward, which can treat insomnia.
The causes of insomnia are complex. One type of insomnia is caused by the disharmony between the heart and kidneys, where excessive heart fire and insufficient kidney water lead to this condition.
What can be done? There is a traditional Chinese medicine called Jiao Tai Wan, which contains only two ingredients: Huang Lian (Coptis) to clear heart fire and Rou Gui to direct fire downward, bringing energy down so that one can sleep.
I will also share a simple recipe: Sheng Di Rou Gui Tang (Rehmannia and Cinnamon Decoction): 30g of Sheng Di (Rehmannia) + 3g of Rou Gui, boil in water and drink a bowl two hours before sleep. Sheng Di can clear heart fire and nourish kidney water, while Rou Gui directs fire downward, helping one to sleep.
4. Rou Gui disperses cold and alleviates pain, used to treat dysmenorrhea.
There is a type of dysmenorrhea called cold-congealed dysmenorrhea, which means there is heavy cold in the uterus. Cold causes congealing, which leads to blockage and pain. This type of dysmenorrhea can be easily resolved by warming and dispersing cold.
Specific method: Boil 5g of Rou Gui with 2 pieces of brown sugar in water and drink it hot. The dysmenorrhea can be quickly alleviated. The principle of using Rou Gui for dysmenorrhea is simple: it disperses cold and expels uterine cold.
5. Rou Gui tonifies fire and assists yang, used to treat frequent urination at night.
Frequent urination at night is often caused by kidney yang deficiency. How to resolve this? One must tonify kidney yang. There are many methods, such as the well-known Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan which can improve this condition, but Rou Gui can also be used.
Specific method: Add 1-3g of Rou Gui powder to your afternoon meal. The body will feel slightly warm, and if taken consistently for a period, the issue of frequent urination at night will improve.
6. Rou Gui warms and unblocks the blood vessels, used to treat heart pain and myocardial infarction.
We know that heart pain and myocardial infarction are caused by blockage in the heart’s blood vessels. One important reason for this blockage is that the blood vessels are too cold, similar to how water pipes freeze in winter, causing blockage.
To prevent such myocardial infarction, those who often experience chest pain and have a cold constitution should start preventive measures. How to prevent? One must warm and unblock the blood vessels and nourish the heart’s energy to keep the blood flowing smoothly.
Here’s a small preventive recipe: 3g of Rou Gui powder + 6g of Ren Shen (Ginseng) + 5-15 strands of Zang Hong Hua (Safflower) + 3g of Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice), steep in hot water and consume. Take continuously for 21 days.
7. Rou Gui warms the meridians and disperses cold, which can improve cold hands and feet.
Most people today have heavy coldness, leading to cold hands and feet in winter. Therefore, it is important for modern people to focus on warming the body. Rou Gui is an excellent warming herb. Anyone with heavy coldness and cold extremities can consume more Rou Gui to improve this issue.
Specific method: Drink 3g-5g of Rou Gui in hot water daily, or add it to porridge, ensuring not to overheat.
Rou Gui can also treat other minor ailments, such as back pain, leg pain, and abdominal pain, but the most important point to remember is: Rou Gui can treat cold syndromes; it is effective for all ailments caused by cold.
Of course, not everyone is suitable for consuming Rou Gui. Those with yin deficiency and excess heat, bleeding tendencies, internal excess heat, and pregnant women should avoid it. Healthy individuals can consume Rou Gui for health maintenance, ensuring not to overheat.
Recommended Learning
1. Introduction to Basic TCM
2. 9 Major Constitution Adjustment Plans
3. 100 Common Chinese Herbs Explained
4. 100 Classic Common Formulas
5. 365 Common Ailment Adjustments
As a moderate person, I am not knowledgeable about astronomy or geography. This account aims to promote TCM culture and is not a platform for seeking medical advice. The recipes shared here are for learning and exchange purposes; please do not blindly try them.
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