Cortex Cinnamomi Japonici
Aliases：Shān Ròu Guì (Mountain Cinnamon); Tǔ Ròu Guì (Earth Cinnamon); Tǔ Guì (Earth Cassia); Shān Yù Guì (Mountain Jade Cassia); Shān Guì Pí (Mountain Cassia Bark); Chái Guì (Firewood Cassia); Ròu Guì (Cinnamon); Guān Guì (Official Cassia); Xiāng Guì (Fragrant Cassia).
Guì Pí (Cassia Bark) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It refers to the dried bark of Cinnamomum japonicum Sieb., Cinnamomum burmannii (C. G. et Th. Nees) Bl., and Cinnamomum wilsonii Gamble, plants belonging to the genus Cinnamomum (family Lauraceae). It is both a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb and a well-known food spice and culinary seasoning. The bark is peeled in winter and dried in the shade.
Efficacy & Actions
Warms the middle jiao and dispels cold, regulates qi to relieve pain, warms the spleen and stomach, warms the liver and kidney, dispels cold to relieve pain, and dissipates stasis to reduce swelling.
Indications
Used for epigastric and abdominal cold pain, vomiting and diarrhea, cold sensation in the lower back and knees, cold hernia abdominal pain, damp-cold arthralgia, stasis-induced dysmenorrhea, bloody dysentery, intestinal wind, traumatic swelling and pain, and wound bleeding, among others.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-inflammatory Effect: Extracts of cassia bark effectively inhibit inflammatory responses. The active component cinnamaldehyde exerts its effects primarily by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway and modulating pro-inflammatory mediators. Antibacterial Effect: Cinnamaldehyde disrupts the cellular structure of bacteria and exhibits inhibitory effects against various pathogenic bacteria. Antitumor Effect: Cinnamaldehyde induces apoptosis in tumor cells, and cassia bark polyphenols also possess antitumor activity. Hypoglycemic Effect: Cassia bark polyphenols and cinnamaldehyde improve glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity, serving as an adjunctive treatment for type 2 diabetes. Cardiovascular Protective Effect: It increases blood flow, improves local tissue blood circulation, and exhibits antithrombotic, anti-platelet aggregation, and lipid-lowering effects. Antioxidant Effect: Cassia bark polyphenols and procyanidin components possess good antioxidant activity. Anti-ulcer Effect: It protects the gastric mucosa and relieves gastrointestinal spastic pain. Sedative and Analgesic Effects: Cassia bark has sedative, analgesic, and antipyretic effects. Immunomodulatory Effect: Cassia bark polyphenols exhibit immunomodulatory activity. Other Effects: It also exhibits anti-allergic effects, inhibits bacterial enzymes, and suppresses parasite motility.
Ingredients
Volatile Oils: The main active components of cassia bark. The volatile oil of Cinnamomum japonicum bark primarily contains trans-cinnamaldehyde, phellandrene, eugenol, methyl eugenol, 1,8-cineole, etc. The volatile oil of Cinnamomum wilsonii bark primarily contains eugenol, 1,8-cineole, cinnamaldehyde, etc. Studies have shown that the trans-cinnamaldehyde content in cassia bark volatile oil can reach 39.49%–60.42%, trans-o-methoxycinnamaldehyde approximately 18.81%, and cinnamic acid approximately 8.86%. Polyphenols (Procyanidins): Exhibit antioxidant, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. Flavonoids. Polysaccharides. I norganic Elements.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, 6–12 g. Topical Administration: Appropriate amount, ground into powder and mixed with water or wine for external application.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with yin deficiency and fire excess. Contraindicated during pregnancy, as cassia bark is pungent, hot, and drying, and may harm the fetus. Contraindicated in patients with febrile diseases with fluid depletion or internal excess heat. Not suitable for patients with bleeding disorders due to blood heat. Avoid consumption in summer. Use with caution in children. Although cassia bark (Guì Pí) and true cinnamon (Ròu Guì) both belong to the Lauraceae family, they come from different species with different functions and should not be used as substitutes for each other.
Selected Formulas
For stomach pain and abdominal pain (Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 15–21g of dried bark of Cinnamomum japonicum (Tianzhugui), decoct in water and drink. For traumatic injuries (Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take dried root bark of Tianzhugui, grind into powder, mix with water or wine, and apply to the affected area. For rheumatic pain (empirical formula) Take 3g of cinnamon bark (Guipi) and 9g of fresh ginger, decoct in water and drink daily. For cardiac and abdominal cold pain (empirical formula) Take 6g each of cinnamon bark and dried ginger (Ganjiang), decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Cassia Bark Tea: Take approximately 3 g of cassia bark in small pieces. Steep in boiling water or decoct with water for 10 minutes, then drink as tea. It warms the middle jiao and dispels cold, suitable for epigastric cold pain. Meat Stewing Seasoning: Use a small piece of cassia bark (approximately 2–5 g) when stewing meat. It removes gamey flavors and greasiness, adding a pleasant aroma and taste. Five-Spice Powder: Cassia bark is an important ingredient in five-spice powder, often used together with star anise, Sichuan peppercorn, clove, and fennel.
Medicinal Parts
Dried bark.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture and mold.