Cinnamon, also known as Rou Gui (肉桂, Cinnamon), Guan Gui (官桂, Official Cinnamon), or Xiang Gui (香桂, Fragrant Cinnamon), refers to the bark of various trees in the Lauraceae family, including Tian Zhu Gui (天竺桂, Cinnamomum cassia), Yin Xiang (阴香, Cinnamomum burmannii), Xi Ye Xiang Gui (细叶香桂, Cinnamomum subavenium), and Chuan Gui (川桂, Cinnamomum verum). This herb is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and also serves as a food spice or cooking seasoning. The original plants of commercial cinnamon are quite complex, with about a dozen species, all belonging to the Lauraceae family.
Among the commonly used varieties, there are eight types, with the main ones being Gui Shu (桂树, Cinnamon Tree), Dun Ye Gui (钝叶桂, Blunt-leaved Cinnamon), Yin Xiang, and Hua Nan Gui (华南桂, South China Cinnamon). Many of these varieties were used as spices in ancient Western cultures. In Chinese cuisine, it is used to flavor stews and is one of the components of five-spice powder.
Basic Varieties of Cinnamon
Rou Gui
Rou Gui (肉桂, Cinnamomum cassia, also known as Cinnamomum aromaticum) is an evergreen tree in the Lauraceae family, reaching heights of over 10 meters. Its bark is gray-brown, thick up to 13 mm, and has a strong spicy aroma. The leaves are alternate or nearly opposite; they are elongated oval or lanceolate, measuring 8-20 cm in length and 3-5.5 cm in width; the apex is acute, and the base is broadly wedge-shaped; the margin is entire, with three prominent veins near the base.
The inflorescence is a terminal or axillary raceme; the flowers are small, about 5 mm in diameter, with elliptical petals measuring 3 mm in length. The fruit is oval, about 10 mm long and 7-8 mm in diameter, turning purple-black when ripe.
Various parts of the plant, such as the bark, branches, leaves, fruits, and flower stalks, can be extracted for essential oils or cinnamon oil, used in food, beverages, cigarettes, and medicine, but are commonly used as spices, cosmetics, and household fragrances. The oil yield from the bark is 2.15%, from the branches is 0.35%, from the leaves is 0.39%, and from the immature fruit is 2.04%. The bark is referred to as Gui Pi (桂皮, Cinnamon Bark).
Rou Gui is native to China, distributed in humid and hot regions such as Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Taiwan, and Yunnan, with Guangxi being the most abundant. It is also found in Vietnam, Laos, and Indonesia. Most Rou Gui is cultivated artificially, primarily propagated by seeds to maintain the characteristics of the parent plants, allowing for higher trunks suitable for harvesting the bark, thus asexual reproduction methods are rarely used in production.
Harvesting typically occurs in autumn, where the bark is scraped and dried. Due to differences in harvesting locations and quality, it is processed into various specifications, commonly known as Qi Bian Gui (企边桂, Edge Cinnamon), Ban Gui (板桂, Board Cinnamon), You Ban Gui (油板桂, Oil Board Cinnamon), and Gui Tong (桂通, Cinnamon Tong).
Ceylon Cinnamon
Ceylon Cinnamon (锡兰肉桂, Cinnamomum verum, also known as Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is a dicotyledonous medicinal plant in the Lauraceae family, native to Sri Lanka, and cultivated in Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, and Taiwan in China. Its bark is also referred to as Ceylon Cinnamon.
In Europe and America, the term Cinnamon typically refers to this type.
Yin Xiang
Yin Xiang (阴香, Cinnamomum burmannii) belongs to the Lauraceae family and is a tall evergreen tree. The leaves are irregularly opposite or scattered, leathery, oval to long oval, measuring 6-10 cm in length and 2.5-4 cm in width; the leaf apex is short and gradually pointed, and the base is broadly wedge-shaped; it has three prominent veins near the base, distinguishing it from Xiang Zhi (香樟, Camphor Tree). The inflorescence is a raceme at the branch tips or leaf axils, with flowers about 5 mm long, hairy on both sides. The fruit is oval, about 8 mm long, with a toothed calyx.
Its leaves can be used as aromatic plant material and also for medicinal purposes (spicy in taste, aromatic in aroma, can dispel wind). This tree also provides timber and is commonly used as a landscaping tree or street tree. It is distributed in Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Yunnan.
The bark of Yin Xiang is known as Yin Xiang Pi (阴香皮, Yin Xiang Bark), also referred to as Guang Dong Gui Pi (广东桂皮, Guangdong Cinnamon), Kan Xiang Cao (坎香草, Kan Fragrant Grass), Yin Cao (阴草, Yin Grass), Shan Rou Gui (山肉桂, Mountain Cinnamon), Shan Yu Gui (山玉桂, Mountain Jade Cinnamon), Xiang Jiao Ye (香胶叶, Fragrant Gum Leaf), Jiao Gui (胶桂, Gum Cinnamon), Tu Rou Gui (土肉桂, Earth Cinnamon), Jia Gui Zhi (假桂枝, False Cinnamon Branch), Shan Gui (山桂, Mountain Cinnamon), Yue Gui (月桂, Bay Laurel), Ye Yu Gui (野玉桂, Wild Jade Cinnamon), Ya Mu Gui (鸭母桂, Duck Mother Cinnamon), Xiang Jiao Zai (香胶仔, Fragrant Gum Child), and Chan Gui (潺桂, Chuan Cinnamon).
Xi Ye Xiang Gui
Xi Ye Xiang Gui (细叶香桂, Cinnamomum subavenium) belongs to the Lauraceae family and is an evergreen tree, reaching heights of up to 20 meters, with a trunk diameter of up to 50 cm; the bark is gray and flakes off. The leaves are alternate or nearly opposite; the leaf blades are oval or ovate-lanceolate, measuring 3.5-13 cm in length and 2-6 cm in width; the margin is entire, with three prominent veins.
The inflorescence is axillary, with pale yellow flowers measuring 3-4 mm long; the petals are nearly elliptical, about 3 mm long. The fruit is oval, about 7 mm long and 5 mm in diameter, turning blue-black when ripe. The bark contains essential oils and is used as a food processing seasoning.
Tian Zhu Gui
Tian Zhu Gui (天竺桂, Cinnamomum pedunculatum), also known as Pu Tuo Zhang (普陀樟, Putuo Camphor), is sparsely distributed along the eastern coastal regions of China, as its seeds have intermittent fruiting and are frequently disturbed by human activities, making seedlings and young trees rare. It is mainly distributed in Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hsinchu, and Taipei.
Pharmacological Effects
The pharmacological effects of cinnamon include the presence of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, as seen in Rou Gui and clove.
A variety of cinnamon, unspecified, has shown varying degrees of inhibition against several pathogenic fungi, including Trichophyton mentagrophytes and its Mongolian variant, as well as Microsporum canis, in vitro. The water extract was more effective than the decoction, and the ether and alcohol extracts were stronger than the water extract. Therefore, its effective components may be volatile oils, although it has not been reported whether they include eugenol.
Clinical Applications
For the treatment of Candida albicans infection: Take 100 grams of cinnamon (unspecified variety) and soak it in 500 ml of ether for 24 hours, filter, and evaporate in a warm water bath to remove the ether. Add 100 ml of distilled water, warm and shake, then filter with filter paper. The filtrate is colorless and transparent; adjust the pH to neutral and sterilize in ampoules, resulting in a cinnamon injection solution. This was used to treat 37 cases of various types of Candida albicans infections, all confirmed by clinical examination and fungal culture.
For adults, inject intramuscularly twice daily, with a total volume of 4-10 ml, and adjust for children. The results showed 27 cases were cured (clinical symptoms completely disappeared, cultures turned negative), 6 cases showed significant improvement (clinical symptoms mostly disappeared, cultures positive but with significantly reduced colonies), and 4 cases showed improvement (clinical symptoms significantly improved, cultures positive but with reduced colonies).
Among these, the efficacy was best for visceral candidiasis, with body temperature generally returning to normal within 2-5 days of treatment, and symptoms improving, with cultures turning negative; for skin and mucosal infections, the efficacy was slower, with symptoms beginning to improve after 3-7 days of treatment, with the shortest treatment duration being 12 days and the longest 119 days (treatment was interrupted).
It is noteworthy that when cinnamon is used in conjunction with broad-spectrum antibiotics, it may prevent the imbalance of normal flora caused by antibiotics, thus preventing Candida albicans infections.
Dietary Therapy
Cinnamon has a spicy and sweet flavor, with a warm nature, entering the Kidney, Spleen, and Bladder meridians.
It has the effects of tonifying Yang, warming the Spleen and Stomach, dispelling cold accumulation, promoting circulation, alleviating pain, and stopping diarrhea.
It is primarily used for symptoms such as Kidney Yang deficiency, cold limbs, weak pulse, Yang collapse, abdominal pain and diarrhea, cold hernia, cold pain in the lower back and knees, menstrual irregularities, Yin abscesses, and floating Yang with upper heat and lower cold.
1. Warming the Kidney and strengthening Yang: Used for cold intolerance, cold limbs, and cold pain in the lower back and knees due to Kidney Yang deficiency; it can also be used for shortness of breath due to Kidney not holding Qi.
2. Warming the Middle and dispelling cold: Used for cold pain in the stomach and abdomen due to Spleen and Stomach Yang deficiency, often combined with Gan Jiang (干姜, Dried Ginger) and Fu Zi (附子, Aconite) for enhanced effect.
3. Warming the meridians and alleviating pain: It can warm and unblock the blood vessels, dispel cold, and alleviate pain, used for dysmenorrhea and limb pain caused by cold stagnation.
This herb is spicy, sweet, and very warming, effectively warming the lower Jiao and dispelling cold and alleviating pain. Its red color enters the blood and can invigorate Qi and blood production, making it a key herb for Spleen and Kidney Yang deficiency, cold stagnation pain, and Qi and blood deficiency.
Gui Xin (桂心, Cinnamon Heart): Bitter and spicy, non-toxic (or sweet and very drying). [Function] Tonifies Yang, invigorates blood.
Gui Zhi (桂枝, Cinnamon Twig): Spicy and sweet, warm, non-toxic. [Function] Warms the meridians, unblocks the vessels, induces sweating.
Dietary Value
The bark of the Lauraceae tree species Tian Zhu Gui (天竺桂, Cinnamomum pedunculatum) and Yin Xiang (阴香, Cinnamomum burmannii). Tian Zhu Gui is also known as Chuan Gui (川桂, Sichuan Cinnamon) and Tu Gui Pi (土桂皮, Earth Cinnamon), distributed in Guangdong, Zhejiang, Hunan, Hubei, and Sichuan; Yin Xiang is also known as Shan Rou Gui (山肉桂, Mountain Cinnamon) and Lian Zhan Shu (连粘树, Sticky Tree), distributed in Central and South China, as well as Fujian, Zhejiang, Guizhou, and Yunnan. Harvested in autumn and winter, dried for use.
[Properties] Spicy and warm. Can stimulate appetite, warm the middle, dispel cold, alleviate pain, and invigorate blood.
[References] Tian Zhu Gui contains volatile oils, including water celery and eugenol. Yin Xiang also contains volatile oils, mainly cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and yellow camphor ether.
Both Tian Zhu Gui and Yin Xiang can promote the secretion of digestive juices and expel gas from the intestines. Eugenol has inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella, Escherichia coli, and Proteus.
[Uses] Used for Spleen and Stomach weakness, loss of appetite, or cold pain in the stomach and abdomen; also for postpartum blood stasis abdominal pain in women.
[Dosage] Used as a seasoning or decoction.
[Caution] Not suitable for pregnant women.
[Additional Recipe]
Ginger Cinnamon Brown Sugar Soup: 6-9 g of cinnamon, appropriate amount of brown sugar. Decoction for consumption.
This formula uses cinnamon to warm the meridians and invigorate blood; brown sugar promotes blood circulation and has a warming effect on the Spleen and Stomach. It is used for postpartum blood stasis abdominal pain or cold stomach with reduced appetite.
Additionally, in Sichuan dialect, “Gui Pi” refers to someone who is a bit foolish.
Common Clinical Uses
【One Spoon a Day to Prevent Diabetes】
What can prevent and treat diabetes? Experts have revealed that eating a spoonful of cinnamon powder daily may help prevent diabetes. American researchers found that cinnamon can restore the insulin response of fat cells in diabetic patients, promoting the transfer and utilization of glucose in the blood.
Researchers believe this may be due to an active component called MHCP. When this substance is administered to mice, their blood sugar levels significantly decrease. It can also improve insulin sensitivity in diabetic patients.
Therefore, researchers recommend that type II diabetes patients consume a quarter to one spoon of cinnamon powder daily. It can be conveniently added to dishes, mixed into bread, pastries, juices, or yogurt.
【Other Benefits of Cinnamon】
Whether in the East or West, there is a traditional belief that cinnamon is a food that enhances vitality. In traditional Chinese medicine, cinnamon is also referred to as a “superior medicine”; it has a mild nature, and people can safely use it in cooking. Many diabetic patients report significant improvements after consuming cinnamon powder.
It seems that consuming foods cooked with cinnamon powder can benefit both diabetic patients and healthy older adults, as many people with insulin resistance show no symptoms and are unaware of their condition; thus, consuming cinnamon powder can serve as a preventive measure.
Cinnamon is also an excellent source of magnesium. It helps maintain electrolyte balance, benefits bone health, and improves vascular tension. It is now known that diabetic patients have impaired magnesium absorption, and increasing magnesium intake can help prevent bone loss and cardiovascular diseases in diabetic patients.
The Magical Effects of Honey and Cinnamon Powder
The mixture of honey and cinnamon can cure most diseases, and modern scientists also accept that honey can heal most ailments without any side effects; although honey is sweet, it is not harmful to diabetic patients in appropriate doses.
Arthritis
Add a spoonful of honey and a small spoon of cinnamon powder to warm water, apply and massage on itchy areas, most pain can subside within 15 minutes. Arthritis patients can drink a cup of warm water with two spoons of honey and a small spoon of cinnamon powder daily. Regular consumption can cure chronic arthritis.
Hair Loss
Those suffering from hair loss or baldness can apply a mixture of warm olive oil, a tablespoon of honey, and a spoon of cinnamon powder to their hair for about 15 minutes before washing it out; even leaving it for just five minutes can be effective.
Bladder Infections
Drinking a cup of warm water with two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and a tablespoon of honey can kill bacteria in the bladder.
Toothache
Apply a paste made of a tablespoon of cinnamon powder and five tablespoons of honey to the painful tooth area three times a day until the pain subsides.
Cholesterol
Two tablespoons of honey and three tablespoons of cinnamon powder added to 16 ounces of tea can reduce blood cholesterol by 10% within two hours for patients with high cholesterol. Consuming it three times a day can lower cholesterol levels.
Cold
People with colds can consume a tablespoon of slightly warm honey mixed with 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon powder for three consecutive days. This process can cure chronic coughs, colds, and clear sinus cavities.
Gastrointestinal Discomfort
Honey mixed with cinnamon powder can cure stomach pain and ulcers.
Stomach Gas/Intestinal Gas
Research conducted in India and Japan has found that consuming honey mixed with cinnamon powder can reduce stomach gas and pain.
Heart Disease
Regularly eating bread spread with honey and cinnamon powder for breakfast can reduce arterial cholesterol and prevent heart attacks. For patients who have previously had heart attacks, daily consumption can prevent further heart attacks. Following these steps regularly can alleviate symptoms of dyspnea and strengthen heartbeats. Many nursing homes in the United States and Canada have successful cases where honey and cinnamon powder improved blood flow in patients with arterial blockages.
Immune System
Daily consumption of honey and cinnamon powder can strengthen the immune system and protect against bacterial and viral invasions. Scientists have found that honey contains a large amount of vitamins and iron; continuous consumption of honey can enhance white blood cell activity against bacteria and viruses.
Indigestion
Consuming two tablespoons of honey mixed with cinnamon powder before meals can reduce stomach acid and aid in digestion. Spanish scientists have confirmed that honey has natural elements that can kill influenza viruses and prevent colds.
Longevity
Regularly drinking tea with honey and cinnamon powder can prevent aging.
Boil four tablespoons of honey with a tablespoon of cinnamon powder and three cups of water. Drink 3-4 times a day, 1/4 cup at a time, to keep skin smooth, prevent aging, and prolong life, making you look younger!
Acne
Mix three tablespoons of honey with a tablespoon of cinnamon powder into a paste, apply to acne before bed, and wash off with warm water the next morning; repeat for two days to eliminate acne.
Skin Infections
Honey mixed with cinnamon powder can cure eczema, ringworm, and other skin infections. Simply mix honey with cinnamon powder and apply to the infected area.
Weight Loss
Every morning on an empty stomach, drinking a cup of water boiled with honey and cinnamon powder thirty minutes before breakfast and before bed can aid in weight loss. Even consuming high-calorie foods will not lead to fat accumulation in the body.
Cancer
According to research from Japan and Australia, stomach cancer and bone cancer can be treated using this method. Cancer patients should consume three tablespoons of honey mixed with a tablespoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for a month, while continuing their tumor treatment.
Fatigue
Research shows that the sugar content in honey benefits the body more than it harms.
Older adults who consume honey and cinnamon powder are more agile. Dr. Milton, who has conducted extensive research on this topic, states that when vitality decreases, drinking a cup of water with half a spoon of honey and a small amount of cinnamon powder after brushing teeth and around three o’clock in the afternoon can increase vitality within a week.
Bad Breath
In South America, people rinse their mouths daily with warm water mixed with a tablespoon of honey and cinnamon powder to keep their breath fresh all day. Daily consumption of honey and cinnamon powder can restore hearing.