The Benefits of Cinnamon


By: Billy Shonez Singh, M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. C.H. (NCCAOM)

2011

Cinnamon is used worldwide as a culinary additive and used in herbal medicine. Today I will talk about how it is used in promoting health based on East Asian medicine and Western pharmacology. You have two different kinds of cinnamon; you have the twigs (known in Mandarin as Gui Zhi) and the bark (known in Mandarin as Rou Gui).

The properties of the cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi) are different from cinnamon bark (Rou Gui). Gui Zhi is described as being sweet, pungent, and warm. Its functions are:

  • Adjusting the ying (constructive) and wei (defensive) levels of the body. Therefore, it treats wind-cold deficiency which is characterized by
    • Light sweat
    • Weak pulse
    • Fatigue
    • Pale tongue
    • Chills that are stronger than the fever
  • It also treats wind-cold excess which is characterized by:
    • Lack of sweating
    • Floating and slow pulse
    • Pale tongue
    • Scratchy throat
    • Aching muscles in the upper back and occiput
    • Chills that are stronger than the fever
  • Promote urination thus making it useful in treating mild edema.
  • Opening of the pores to induce diaphoresis to promote sweating.
  • Warming the channels and collaterals of the body to treat Feng Bi Zheng (Wind Impediment Syndrome) and Han Bi Zheng (Cold Impediment Syndrome).
    • Wind Impediment syndrome is seen as pain in the body that move from one locatio! n of the body to the other.
    • Cold Impediment syndrome is seen as pain that stays fixed entirely in the joints and is exacerbated with cold foods, drinks, and the environments.
  • Invigorates heart yang and increases the yang qi of the heart.
    • Therefore it treats chest pain
  • Promotes blood circulation to the uterus.
    • Treats masses and fibroids, amenorrhea and dysmenorrheal due to blood stasis due to cold.

    Next, the western pharmacological actions of Gui Zhi are:

    1. "Antibiotic: Gui Zhi has both antibacterial and antiviral effects. It exerts an inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, some dermatophytes, and influenza viruses (pgs.41-42, Shen)."

    2. "Diruetic: The essential oil of Gui Zhi has a mild diuretic effect to reduce edema (pg.42, Shen)."

    3. "Diaphoretic and Antipyretic: The essential oil of Gui Zhi induces perspiration and lowers body temperature through dilation of the blood vessels at the peripheral regions of the body (pg.42, Shen)."

    4. "Analgesic: It exerts analgesic action (pg.42, Shen)."

    5. "Circulatory: Gui Zhi dilates blood vessels and promotes blood circulation to the uterus (pg.42, Shen)."

    6. "Other: Gui Zhi has cardiotonic, sedative and hypnotic, and anti-tussive effects (pg.42, Shen)."

    The properties of the cinnamon bark (Rou Gui) are stronger and potent than Gui Zhi. Rou Gui is considered to be more hot than Gui Zhi. Therefore the functions:

  • warming the body and dispelling cold
  • this means its good for treating abdominal pain exacerbated by cold foods and drink.
  • promoting blood circulation.
  • ! Good for joint pain (Bi Zheng) exacerbated by cold foods, cold drinks, and cold weather.
  • Also good for dysmenorrheal and menstrual pain.
  • increasing the metabolic functions of the body described as the ming men huo ("the life gate fire").
  • In other words, it helps with low back and knee weakness, impotence, polyuria, and loose stools.

    • The pharmacological actions of Rou Gui have effects on the cardiovascular and immune systems. According to John K. Chen's text Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology:

    1. "intravenous administration of Rou Gui is associated with a marked reduction in blood pressure, a decrease in heart rate, peripheral vasodilation, decreased vessel resistance (pg. 448)."

    2. "Subcutaneous injection of a Rou Gui preparation for 5 days increased the white blood cell by 150 to 200% in dogs (pg. 449)."

    Bibliography

    McCrea, L.Ac., Mary Anne "Tish" Chinese Materia Medica 1, Lecture Notes 2002.

    McCrea, L.Ac., Mary Anne "Tish" Chinese Materia Medica 2, Lecture Notes 2004.

    Chen, John K., Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, 2001, 2004 pgs. 41-42, 448-449 Art of Medicine Press, City of Industry, CA 91715.

    Billy Shonez Singh is a licensed acupuncturist and a board certified Chinese herbalist by the NCCAOM. He is currently practicing in Commack, NY. His primary focus with East Asian medicine is stress, pain management, diabetic complications, and treating chemotherapy side-effects. He is also President and CEO of Zen-Ohs Botanicals, Inc. To make an appointment, call (516) 557-6112 or email at billy@billysingh.com

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