Gui Zhi
StarCinnamomum cassia Presl
☯ TCM Properties
Releases the Muscle Layer; Warms the Channels and Disperses Cold; Warms Yang and Transforms Qi; Subdues Rushing Qi (Ben Tun); Warms Yang in the chest; Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis
Traditional Chinese Uses
Gui Zhi (cinnamon twig) is one of the cornerstone herbs of classical Chinese medicine, appearing in more classical formulas than almost any other herb. This gentle, warming herb releases the Exterior for Wind-Cold invasion with fever and aversion to cold, warms and promotes the circulation of Heart Yang and Blood Qi, and dissolves water accumulation. Its balanced, harmonizing nature made it the primary herb in Gui Zhi Tang — historically considered the "foundation formula" of the entire Chinese medical tradition.
Western Herbalism Properties
Used In Formulas (5)
Botanical Description
Cinnamomum cassia is an evergreen tree in the Lauraceae, native to southern China and widely cultivated across South and Southeast Asia. Mature trees reach 10-15 m tall with a stout trunk, smooth grey to reddish-brown bark, and a dense rounded crown. The leathery, oblong-lanceolate leaves are 8-20 cm long, glossy dark green above and glaucous below, with three prominent longitudinal veins arising near the base. Small, pale yellow to greenish flowers are borne in axillary or terminal panicles in summer, followed by ovoid, dark purple to black drupes about 1 cm long, each seated in a shallow cupule. Both the bark and the slender young twigs are strongly aromatic, yielding a sweet, pungent volatile oil rich in cinnamaldehyde. The species favours moist, well-drained soils in subtropical lowland and montane forests and is grown commercially in plantations in China, Vietnam, Indonesia and elsewhere.
Active Constituents
Cinnamaldehyde (trans-cinnamaldehyde)
Phenylpropanoid aldehyde (volatile oil)Concentration: Principal component of the essential oil (major bioactive marker)
The dominant and characteristic constituent of cinnamon twig. Vasodilatory, anti-platelet, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and mildly antipyretic/analgesic; it underlies the traditional actions of warming the channels, dispersing Cold and promoting circulation. Volatile, so decoctions are not overcooked.
Cinnamic acid
Phenylpropanoid acidConcentration: Secondary phenolic acid
An oxidation product related to cinnamaldehyde with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and vasoactive properties; contributes to circulatory effects.
2-Methoxycinnamaldehyde
Phenylpropanoid aldehydeConcentration: Minor volatile constituent
A minor aldehyde of the volatile oil reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic activity.
Coumarin
BenzopyranoneConcentration: Present (higher in Cinnamomum cassia than in true cinnamon)
Characteristic of cassia-derived material; contributes mild anticoagulant-type and antispasmodic activity but is also the constituent of hepatotoxic concern at high chronic intakes.
Cinnamyl alcohol
Phenylpropanoid alcoholConcentration: Minor volatile constituent
Aromatic component of the essential oil adding to the antimicrobial and sensory profile of the twig.
Procyanidins / condensed tannins
PolyphenolsConcentration: Notable non-volatile fraction
Oligomeric procyanidins provide antioxidant and insulin-sensitizing activity and contribute to the herb's cardiovascular effects.
β-Sitosterol
PhytosterolConcentration: Minor
A common plant sterol contributing mild anti-inflammatory activity.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Warfarin and other anticoagulants/antiplatelets
Cinnamaldehyde inhibits platelet aggregation, and cassia-derived material contains coumarin; together these give a theoretical additive risk of bleeding or potentiation of anticoagulant effect. Documented clinical events at decoction doses are lacking.
Clinical note: Use caution when combining medicinal doses with warfarin or antiplatelet therapy; monitor for bleeding.
Hepatotoxic drugs (coumarin overlap)
Cassia contains coumarin, which at high chronic intake can be hepatotoxic in susceptible individuals; theoretical additive hepatic burden with other hepatotoxic agents.
Clinical note: Relevant mainly to prolonged high-dose use; ordinary decoction courses carry low risk.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 3-9g | Daily | — | — | — |
Preparation Methods
Raw twig decoction
Parts: young dried twig
The thin young branches are sliced and decocted, typically 3-10 g, to release the muscle layer, warm and unblock the channels and assist Yang. Because the action depends on volatile cinnamaldehyde, it is added and cooked only moderately rather than for a prolonged time.
Honey-fried twig (Zhi Gui Zhi)
Parts: young dried twig
Stir-frying with honey moderates the acrid dispersing nature and augments the warming, Yang-supporting action, sometimes preferred for warming the chest Yang and unblocking the vessels.
Clinical Studies
The traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Cinnamomi ramulus: a review
Comprehensive review documenting more than 121 isolated compounds (volatile oil, organic acids, coumarins, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids) and summarizing anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, anticancer and cardiovascular-protective pharmacology, with cinnamaldehyde as the principal active constituent, plus a toxicological appraisal.
Historical Texts
Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage), Zhang Zhongjing
Eastern Han (c. 200 CE)Shennong Bencao Jing (Divine Husbandman's Classic of Materia Medica)
Han dynasty (c. 200 CE)References
- Liu J, Zhang Q, Li RL, Wei SJ, Huang CY, Gao YX, Pu XF. The traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Cinnamomi ramulus: a review . Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology (2020) [DOI]
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission. Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2020 Edition), Volume I — Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) . China Medical Science Press (2020) [DOI]
- Bensky D, Clavey S, Stöger E. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd Edition . Eastland Press, Seattle (2004) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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