Bencao Gangmu Reference Library
肉桂 / 桂皮 / 官桂 / 桂枝 / 紫油桂 / 上肉桂 / 筒桂 — Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J.Presl (syn. Cinnamomum aromaticum, Laurus cinnamomum)
Pinyin: Ròuguì / Guìpí / Guānguì · Malay: Kayu Manis Cina / Kayu Manis Tebal / Kulit Kayu Manis / Chinese Cinnamon / Cassia Bark / Cortex Cinnamomi · Family: Lauraceae (樟科 / 樟属)
Energetics
Great Heat, Pure Yang (大热 / 纯阳之性 / 辛甘大热温通)
Flavor
Pungent, sweet, intensely warm, aromatic (辛、大甘、大热、气烈纯阳、香辣带甜)
Meridians
Kidney (肾), Spleen (脾), Heart (心), Liver (肝)
Traditional Edict
Chinese Cassia Bark / Purple-Oiled Cinnamon (Kayu Manis Cina / Rou Gui / Zi You Gui / Cortex Cinnamomi). Colossal thick fleshy bark with glistening resin ring. Supreme Grade of Shennong Bencao Jing: warms Gate of Vitality Fire (Mingmen Huo), returns floating fire to its source, upregulates GLUT4 in diabetes.
Cautions & Contraindications
- BLACK BOX OBSTETRIC CONTRAINDICATION: POTENT THERMOGENIC BLOOD-ACTIVATING DYNAMICS; STRICTLY AND ABSOLUTELY CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY (ABORTIFACIENT). Contraindicated in Yin deficiency with blazing heat.
Clinical Applications
- Kidney Yang deficiency, cold limbs, and impotence (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis stimulation via Cinnamaldehyde >= 1.50%), Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (skeletal muscle GLUT4 glucose uptake and insulin receptor phosphorylation), and severe angina.
Quality Markers
Mechanism & Phytochemistry
1. Cinnamaldehyde stimulates TRPA1 and surges nitric oxide release, dilating coronary and peripheral microvasculature. 2. A-type procyanidins mimic insulin, activating insulin receptor tyrosine kinase (IC50=2.1 uM).
Preparation & Dosage
LATE-ADDITION DECOCTION PROTOCOL (Hou Xia / 后下): 2 to 5 g crushed bark added in the LAST 5 to 10 MINUTES of boiling to preserve volatile cinnamaldehyde. Fine powder swallowed: 1.0 to 2.0 g with warm water. CLASSICAL SHENQI WAN: Formulated with Rehmannia (Shu Di) and Cornus.
Appended Prescriptions
- 1. Classical Jinkui Shenqi Wan (Master Kidney-Yang Tonic Formula) with Prepared Rehmannia and Fu Zi. 2. Classical Shiquan Dabu Tang with Ginseng and Astragalus.
Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only
