Cinnamomi Cortex
Aliases：Yu Gui, Mu Gui, Guan Gui, La Gui, Gui Pi
Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex) is an interior‑warming Chinese medicinal. It is the dried bark of Cinnamomum cassia Presl, a plant of the Lauraceae family (genus Cinnamomum).
Efficacy & Actions
Supplement fire and assist yang, guide fire back to its source (return hyperactive yang to the kidney), dispel cold and relieve pain, and warm the meridians and unblock the channels.
Indications
It is mainly indicated for impotence and uterine coldness, cold pain in the lower back and knees, wheezing due to kidney deficiency, upward floating of deficient yang, vertigo with red eyes, cold pain in the heart and abdomen, vomiting and diarrhea due to deficiency‑cold, hernia with abdominal pain due to cold, dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea, among others.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti‑inflammatory: Significantly inhibits inflammatory responses, serving as an important mechanism for treating cold‑dampness painful obstruction (bi syndrome). Antibacterial and antiviral: Inhibits various bacteria and viruses; can be used for infectious diseases. Antioxidant: Effectively scavenges free radicals and delays aging. Hypoglycemic: Active components in cinnamon improve insulin resistance and lower blood glucose. Antitumor: Inhibits the growth of various tumor cells. Cardiovascular protection: Helps inhibit platelet aggregation and protects the cardiovascular system. Analgesic: Exhibits good pain‑relieving effects and alleviates various types of pain. Neuroprotective: Protects the nervous system and has potential to improve cognitive function in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Sedative and anxiolytic: Possesses certain sedative and anxiety‑relieving effects.
Ingredients
The chemical composition of Rougui is complex and diverse; over 160 compounds have been isolated and identified from it. Its core active components mainly include: Volatile oils: Cinnamaldehyde: The most important active component, predominantly in the trans form, and is the basis for the pungent, aromatic odor and pharmacological effects of cinnamon. Cinnamic acid. Coumarin. Polyphenols: Such as proanthocyanidins, which exhibit strong antioxidant activity. Polysaccharides. Flavonoids. Terpenoids: Including sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, etc. Other components: Also contain tannins, various trace elements, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Standard internal use: 1–4.5 g in decoction. When used in a decoction, it should be added later (at the end of decoction) and not decocted for a long time, so as to prevent the loss of active components (volatile oils). Powder form: Grind into a fine powder and swallow. 0.5–1.5 g per dose. External use: Grind into powder and apply as a paste, or steep in wine for topical application (rubbing).
Contraindications
Rougui (cinnamon bark) is a herb of great heat with a strong and aggressive nature. It may easily damage Yin and stir up blood. Therefore, the dosage should not be excessive, and it should be discontinued once the disease is relieved (treatment should stop when symptoms resolve).
Selected Formulas
1. Shiquan Dabu Tang (All‑Inclusive Great Tonifying Decoction) – from Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang Actions: Supplement qi and enrich blood; nourish the heart and calm the spirit. Indications: Shortness of breath, wheezing upon exertion, palpitations with easy fright, dry throat and lips due to consumptive depletion from overstrain. 2. Renshen Yangying Tang (Ginseng Nourishing the Camp Decoction) – from Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang Actions: Warm and supplement qi and blood. Indications: Consumptive cough, poor appetite, spermatorrhea, weakness of knees and feet, non‑healing sores/ulcers, and metrorrhagia due to qi‑blood deficiency. 3. Wuji San (Five‑Accumulation Powder) – from Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang Actions: Smooth qi and transform phlegm; invigorate blood and resolve accumulations. Indications: Fever without sweating, headache, body pain, neck and back stiffness, chest fullness, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain due to external wind‑cold with internal cold injury from raw/cold foods; also indicated for cold‑type conditions such as women’s qi‑blood disharmony with cardiac/abdominal pain and menstrual irregularities. 4. Shaoyao Tang (Peony Decoction) – from Su Wen Bing Ji Qi Yi Bao Ming Ji Actions: Harmonize qi and blood; clear heat and resolve toxicity. Indications: Damp‑heat dysentery (bloody purulent stools with tenesmus). 5. Suzi Jiangqi Tang (Perilla Fruit Qi‑Descending Decoction) – from Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang Actions: Descend qi and relieve wheezing; eliminate phlegm and stop cough. Indications: Wheezing and coughing due to upper excess and lower deficiency with profuse phlegm‑saliva.
Daily Consumption
1. Rougui Brown Sugar Tea Take 2–3 g of Rougui (cinnamon bark) and an appropriate amount of brown sugar. Steep in boiling water and drink as tea. Action: Warms the meridians and dispels cold. Suitable for dysmenorrhea due to deficiency‑cold. 2. Rougui Congee Take 2 g of Rougui and 100 g of japonica rice. Decoct the Rougui to obtain a concentrated liquid and remove the residue. Cook the rice into congee, then stir in the Rougui liquid and an appropriate amount of brown sugar. Cook briefly. Action: Warms and tonifies the Spleen and Kidney. Suitable for intolerance to cold, cold limbs, and soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees. 3. Rougui Stewed Beef Brisket Take 500 g of beef brisket, 5 g of Rougui, and 3 slices of fresh ginger. Blanch the beef brisket, then stew it with Rougui and ginger until tender. Action: Warms the Kidney, dispels cold, warms the Stomach, and fortifies the Spleen.
Medicinal Parts
Dried bark
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. As Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex) is rich in volatile oils, it must be protected from moisture and insects.