Neocinnamomi Delavayi Ramulus et Folium（亦作 Neocinnamomum delavayi (Lec.) Liou）
Aliases：Chai Gui, He Hua Xiang, Xiang Ye Shu, San Gu Jin, Nan Mu Xiang, and Xiao Hua Cao. (These are alternative names for Yunnan Chaigui.)
Yunnan Chaigui is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the leaf, branch, or bark of Neocinnamomum delavayi (Lec.) Liou, a plant belonging to the family Lauraceae. It is a shrub or small tree, (1.5) 2–5 m tall, sometimes reaching up to 10 m; bark dark brown. Buds are small, with thick bud scales densely covered with rust‑colored or white sericeous pubescence. Branches are slender, terete, and striate; young branches are covered with rust‑colored or white fine sericeous hairs, gradually glabrescent with age. Leaves are alternate, elliptic‑lanceolate to ovate or broadly ovate, (4) 5–11 cm long and (1.5) 2–6 cm wide, apex acuminate, base acute to cuneate, often unequal on both sides, subcoriaceous, with three main veins. Flowers are small, yellow‑green, axillary in clustered cymes. Fruit is ovoid‑globose, red when mature; the fruit receptacle is goblet‑shaped.
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels wind and unblocks the collaterals, disperses cold and alleviates pain, and stops bleeding.
Indications
Wind-cold common cold, stomach cold pain, rheumatic arthralgia pain, and traumatic injury pain; for external use, treats traumatic bleeding.
Ingredients
The branches and leaves of Yunnan Chaigui contain aromatic oil (0.8%–1.7%), and the oil from its fruits can be used for soap making. Detailed research on its specific chemical constituents is still insufficient. Chemical studies on the related medicinal material "Chaigui" (Cinnamomum tamala) have shown that both the bark and leaves contain volatile oils. The main component of the leaf oil is eugenol, accounting for 78%, along with phellandrene, camphor, etc.; the main component of the bark volatile oil is cinnamaldehyde, among others. It also contains flavonoid compounds such as 3,4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone, 3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside, kaempferol-3,7-di-O-rhamnoside, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 3–9 g; or 1–3 qian (approximately 3–9 g); decoct in water or grind into powder and take with wine; or steep in wine for oral use. For topical application: appropriate amount, grind dried leaves into powder and apply to the affected area.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in those with Yin deficiency. (Some sources also record that the leaves are harmful to the bladder.) It is recommended to use under the guidance of a physician.
Selected Formulas
For wind‑cold common cold (empirical formula) Take an appropriate amount of Yunnan Chai Gui (a local herb), decoct in water or grind into powder, and take with wine. For stomach cold pain (empirical formula) Take an appropriate amount of Yunnan Chai Gui, decoct in water or grind into powder, and take with wine. For wind‑dampness impediment with pain (empirical formula) Take an appropriate amount of Yunnan Chai Gui, decoct in water or grind into powder and take with wine, or soak in wine and drink. For traumatic injury pain (empirical formula) Take an appropriate amount of Yunnan Chai Gui, decoct in water or grind into powder, and take with wine. For traumatic bleeding (empirical formula) Take dried leaves of Yunnan Chai Gui, grind into powder, and apply an appropriate amount to the wound.
Medicinal Parts
Leaf, branch, or bark.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
