Gui Zhi - 桂枝 - Ramulus Cinnamomi

Properties: Pungent, sweet, warm

Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung, Heart, Kidney, Liver
Sinews: Taiyang
Divergent Zones: Taiyang
Extraordinary Vessels: Du, Yin Wei, Yang Wei

Traditional Actions/Indications:

Releases the Exterior, assists Yang, adjusts the Ying and Wei and releases the muscle layer
Taiyang Wind Strike (Taiyang Zhongfeng, 太阳中风) - a weak person who catches cold easily with spontaneous sweating, aversion to drafts, fever and chills, nasal congestion, stiff and aching head and muscles
Warms the channels and collaterals to relieve pain
Wind-Cold-Damp Bi
Unblocks Yang and transforms Qi and thin mucus
Edema due to Cold-Phlegm or Yang Qi Deficiency with urinary dysfunction, dizziness and palpitations
Assists Heart Yang and warms and facilitates the flow of Yang Qi in the chest
Palpitations due to Yang Obstruction in the chest due to Stagnation or Deficiency
Listless chest Yang with upward movement of Phlegm and thin mucus and disorderly descent of Lung Qi with shortness of breath, chest and back pain and palpitations
Heart and Spleen Yang Deficiency
Warms and facilitates the flow of Qi through the channels and collaterals and Blood through the vessels
Wind-Cold-Damp Bi
Blood Stasis due to Cold, causing amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea with or without abdominal masses
Warms the Middle and directs Turbid Yin downward
Middle Jiao Yang Deficiency
Heart and Spleen Yang Deficiency (patient usually craves sweets)
Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, make the body light, prevent forgetfulness, and render the face bright and efflorescent, thus forever looking charming, like a child's face. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).

Suggested Daily Dosage: 3-10g in decoction for exterior conditions, or up to 15g for Bi Syndromes.

Cautions: This herb induces heat, damages the yin and moves blood. It is prohibited for those with warm pathogens, yin deficiency with effulgent fire, or reckless movement of the blood due to heat in the blood. Use with caution in pregnant women.

Interactions:

Antidiabetic drugs: May have additive effect on drugs that lower blood sugar.
Anticoagulant drugs: Coumarins in cinnamon may have additive effect on drugs that slow clotting such as warfarin, heparin, aspirin and NSAIDs.
Hepatotoxic drugs: Large doses may have liver toxicity which may increase the toxicity of hepatotoxic drugs, including acetaminophen, amiodarone, carbamazepine, isoniazid, methotrexate, methyldopa, fluconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, phenytoin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin and others.
Should be stopped before surgery due to anticoagulant effect (University of Texas at El Paso, accessed 2021)).

Notable Constituents:

Coumarin
Aromatic class of compounds with a vanilla scent and bitter taste, which are used as precursors to anticoagulant drugs such as coumadin / warfarin which work by blocking the synthesis of Vitamin K. Coumarins are moderately toxic to the liver and kidneys, recommended at 0.1mg/kg of body weight and present in considerably higher amounts in C. cassia than C. verum (0.10 - 12.18mg per g compared to 0.005 - 0.090mg per g). This makes the Tolerable Daily Intake for a 50kg adult anywhere between 0.4 - 50g. However, it may be precisely this action that produces its effects on circulation, pain and reviving Heart Yang so it may be better to monitor dose rather than substituting unless there are specific contraindications to coumarin (e.g. already taking blood thinners, especially Warfarin).

Iwata et al., (2016) found 1g of cinnamon decoction contained 3.0mg coumarin, with a recommended safe dose of 0.1 mg/kg/day, making the effective safe dose for a 60kg individual 2g of cinnamon. 76% of patients taking herbal medicine exceeded this level, and 18% had abnormal readings on a liver function test but none showed signs of pathological changes.
Eugenol
Anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antipyretic, antioxidant, antifungal and analgesic phenolic molecule suggested to be responsible for its toothache controlling properties. Its exact mechanism of action is unknown, however, it has been shown to interfere with action potential conduction.
Cinnamaldehyde
Aldehyde that gives cinnamon its flavour and odour. The essential oil of cinnamon bark is about 90% cinnamaldehyde. Effective as a fungicide but with low toxicity, it is ideal for agriculture where it is applied to the root systems of over 40 crop plants. It is also used as an insecticide against mosquitoes and their larvae, a corrosion inhibitor for steel, an antimicrobial, an inducer of apoptosis in leukemia cells, an inhibitor of Tau protein formation in Alzheimer's and as a potential anti-obesity drug, activating thermogenisis causing apipose tissue to burn more energy. Despite low internal toxicity it is classified as a skin irritant, but has also been identified as promoting type I collagen biosynthesis via activation of IGF-I signaling (Takasao et al., 2012)
Cinnamic Acid
An unsaturated carboxylic acid which can be synthesized by the oxidation of cinnamaldehyde. It is used in flavouring and as a precursor to the sweetner Aspartame. It has also been investigated as a potential hair growth stimulant through oxytocin receptor activation (Kageyama et al., 2024).
Styrene
A carcinogenic compound structurally similar to cinnamaldehyde and may be formed by degradation of cinnamic acid by certain moulds growing on cinnamon (Lafeuille et al, 2009). It is present in many natural foods such as coffee and peanuts but has its highest concentrations in C. cassia (Steele et al, 1994).

Appears in 82 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)

An Zhong San (Calm the Middle Powder)
From: Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People of the Taiping Era by Tai Yi Ju (Imperial Medical Bureau) (1107)

Bai Hu Jia Gui Zhi Tang (White Tiger plus Cinnamon Twig Decoction)
From: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Bian Zhi Xin Qi Yin (Modified Formulation of Heart Qi Drink)
From: Collection of Treasured Essentials (date unknown)

Bu Shen Qiang Du Zhi Wang Tang (Kidney Supplementing Governer Vessel Strengthening Joint Deformity Decoction)
From: Ten Lectures on the Use of Formulas from the Personal Experience of Jiao Shu-De by Jiao Shu-De (2005)

Bu Shen Qing Re Zhi Wang Tang (Kidney Supplementing Heat Clearing Joint Deformity Decoction)
From: Ten Lectures on the Use of Formulas from the Personal Experience of Jiao Shu-De by Jiao Shu-De (2005)

Bu Shen Qu Han Zhi Wang Tang (Kidney Supplementing Cold Dispelling Joint Deformity Decoction)
From: Ten Lectures on the Use of Formulas from the Personal Experience of Jiao Shu-De by Jiao Shu-De (2005)

Chai Hu Gui Zhi Gan Jiang Tang (Bupleurum, Cinnamon Twig and Dried Ginger Decoction)
From: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang (Bupleurum and Cinnamon Twig Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang (Bupleurum Plus Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Chun Ze Tang (Spring Marsh Decoction)
From: Prescriptions of Universal Benefit (early 15th Century)

Da Qing Long Tang (Major Blue-Green Dragon Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Dang Gui Si Ni Jia Wu Zhu Yu Sheng Jiang Tang (Tangkuei Decoction for Cold Extremities with Evodia and Fresh Ginger)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Dang Gui Si Ni Tang (Tangkuei Decoction for Cold Extremities)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Dang Qi Jian Zhong Tang (Tangkuei and Astragalus Decoction to Construct the Middle)
From: Experimental Formulas Composed by Hanaoka Seshu (1760-1835) by Hanaoka Seshu

Die Da Sun Shang Yu (Traumatic Bruises Bath)
From: Shen-nong.com

Fang Ji Fu Ling Tang (Stephania and Poria Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Feng Yin Tang (Wind Drawing Decoction)
From: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Fu Ling Gan Cao Tang (Poria and Licorice Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Fu Ling Gui Zhi Gan Cao Da Zao Tang (Poria, Cinnamon, Liquorice and Jujube Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gan Cao Fu Zi Tang (Licorice and Aconite Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Ge Gen Jia Ban Xia Tang (Kudzu Decoction with Pinellia)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Ge Gen Tang (Kudzu Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gua Lou Gui Zhi Tang (Trichosanthis and Cinnamon Twig Decoction)
From: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Guan Jie Yan Wan (Joint Obstruction Pills)
From: Aura Herbs (2020)

Gui Ling Wu Wei Gan Cao Tang (Cinnamon, Poria, Schisandra and Licorice Decoction)
From: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Qi Jian Zhong Tang (Tangkuei and Astragalus Decoction to Construct the Middle)
From: Experimental Formula Composed by Hanaoka Seshu (1760-1835) by Hanaoka Seshu

Gui Zhi Er Yue Bi Yi Tang (Two Parts Cinnamon Twig and One Part Maidservant from Yue's Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan (Cinnamon Twig and Poria Pill)
From: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Zhi Gan Cao Long Gu Mu Li Tang (Cinnamon Twig, Licorice, Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Zhi Gan Cao Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Licorice Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Zhi Jia Da Huang Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Rhubarb)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Zhi Jia Fu Zi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Aconite)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Zhi Jia Ge Gen Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Kudzu Root)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Zhi Jia Gui Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Cinnamon)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Zhi Jia Hou Po Xing Zi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Magnolia Bark and Apricot Kernal)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang (Cinnamon Twig with Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Decoction)
From: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Zhi Jia Shao Yao Sheng Jiang Ge Yi Liang Ren Shen San Liang Xin Jia Tang (Newly Modified Cinnamon Twig Decoction with 1 Liang more of Peony and Ginger and 3 Liang of Ginseng)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Zhi Jia Shao Yao Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Peony)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Zhi Ma Huang Ge Ban Tang (Half Cinnamon Twig and Half Ephedra Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Zhi Qu Shao Yao Jia Shu Qi Long Gu Mu Li Jiu Ni Tang (Cinnamon Twig minus Peony plus Dichroa, Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell to Rescue Rebellion Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Zhi Qu Shao Yao Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction minus Peony)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Ginseng Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang (Cinnamon Twig, Peony and Anemarrhena Decoction)
From: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Hou Po Qi Wu Tang (Seven Substance Magnolia Bark Decoction)
From: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Huang Lian Tang (Coptis Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang (Astagalus and Cinnamon Twig Five Substance Decoction)
From: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang (Astragalus Docoction to Construct the Middle)
From: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Jin Gu Die Da Wan (Sinew and Bone Injury Pills)
From: Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2000)

Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan / Cui Shi Ba Wei Wan (Kidney Qi Pill from the Golden Cabinet / Cui's Eight Ingredient Pill)
From: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Lian Zhu Yin (String of Pearls Drink)
From: Formulary and Mnemonics from 'No Mistake' Pharmacy (1956)

Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang (Poria, Cinnamon Twig, Atractylodes and Licorice Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Ma Huang Jia Bai Zhu Tang (Ephedra plus Atractylodes Decoction)
From: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Ma Huang Sheng Ma Tang (Ephedra and Cimicifuga Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Niu Xi San (Achyranthes Powder)
From: Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People of the Taiping Era by Tai Yi Ju (Imperial Medical Bureau) (1107)

Nu Shen San (Woman's Spirit Powder)
From: Formulary and Mnemonics from 'No Mistake' Pharmacy (1956)

Qian Lie Shu Wan (Prostate Comfort Pills)
From: Aura Herbs (2020)

Qing Bi Tang (Clear the Nose Decoction)
From: Nakakura Pharmacy in Japan (19th Century)

Qing Fei Pai Du Tang (Lung Clearing and Detoxifying Decotion)
From: Traditional Chinese Medicine: an effective treatment for 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) by Du et al. (2020)

Shang Zhong Xia Tong Yong Tong Feng Wan (Pill to Treat Painful Wind Anywhere)
From: Medical Formulas Collected and Analysed by Wang Ang (1682)

Shu Feng Huo Xue Tang (Dredge Wind and Invigorate the Blood Decoction)
From: Precious Mirror of Eastern Medicine (1613) by Heo Jun / Xu Jun

Shu Yu Wan (Dioscorea Pill)
From: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Sun Shang Yao Jiu (Detriment and Damage Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Tao He Cheng Qi Tang (Peach Pit Decoction to Order the Qi)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Wei Ling Tang (Calm the Stomach and Poria Decoction)
From: Essential Teachings of Dan-Xi by Zhu Dan-Xi (1732)

Wen Jing Tang (Warm the Flow Decoction)
From: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Wu Ling San (Five Ingredient Powder with Poria)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Wu Mei Wan (Mume Pill)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Wu Zhi Tang (Five Twig Decoction)
From: Shen-nong.com

Xiao Jian Zhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Xiao Qing Long Jia Shi Gao Tang (Minor Blue-Green Dragon Decoction plus Gypsum)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Xiao Qing Long Tang (Minor Blue-Green Dragon Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Xu Ming Tang (Extend Life Decoction)
From: Arcane Essentials from the Imperial Library by Wang Tao (752)

Yan Hu Suo Er Hao (Corydalis Formula 2)
From: Anhui University School of Medicine by Anhui University School of Medicine (1990)

Yi Yi Ren Tang (Coix Seed Decoction)
From: Displays of Enlightened Physicians (Ming dynasty)

Yin Chen Wu Ling San (Virgate Wormwood Five Ingredient Powder with Poria)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Zai Zao San (Renewal Powder)
From: Six Texts on Cold Damage (1445) by Tao Hua

Zhe Chong Yin (Drink to Turn Back the Penetrating Vessel)
From: Formulas from the Discussions on Women's Precious Delivery (1851)

Zhi Gan Cao Tang (Prepared Licorice Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Zhi Shi Xie Bai Gui Zhi Tang (Unripe Bitter Orange, Chinese Garlic and Cinnamon Twig Decoction)
From: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Zhu Ye Tang (Bamboo Leaf Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)

Research Links & References: (click to display)

Individual Herbs Notebook

桂 枝  Gui Zhi

Translation: Cinnamon Twig

Pharmaceutical: Ramulus Cinnamomi
Taxonomy: Cinnamomum cassia

Other names: Cinnamon Twig

Category: Herbs that Release the Exterior

Research Links:

Reference Notes: