Rou Gui
Cinnamomum cassia Presl
☯ TCM Properties
Tonifies Kidney Yang; Guides Fire Back to Its Source; Dispels Cold and Alleviates Pain; Warms the Channels and Disperses Cold; Tonifies Qi and Generates Blood
Western Herbalism Properties
Used In Formulas (46)
Showing 1 of 46.
Botanical Description
Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J.Presl (Lauraceae) is an evergreen tree native to southern China and mainland Southeast Asia, reaching 10 to 20 meters in height with a straight trunk and a dense, dark green crown; in cultivation it is often coppiced as a tall shrub or small tree for repeated bark harvest. The bark of mature trees is thick, rough and grayish-brown externally, with an inner bark of warm reddish-brown that is strongly aromatic. The leaves are alternate to subopposite, oblong to elliptic-lanceolate, 8 to 20 cm long, leathery, dark green and glossy above, paler beneath, with three prominent longitudinal veins running from the base. Small, fragrant, yellowish-white flowers are borne in axillary and terminal panicles, each with six perianth segments. The fruit is a small ovoid drupe seated in an enlarged cupule. The peeled, dried, naturally rolled inner bark constitutes Rou Gui, harvested in autumn from trees at least five to ten years old.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 3-9g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Rou Gui (cinnamon bark) is among the warmest and most potent herbs in Chinese medicine, used to restore and warm Kidney Yang, dispel cold from all channels, and invigorate Blood circulation. It is a primary herb for cold patterns involving the lower back and knees, frigid extremities, impotence, frequent urination, and abdominal pain from cold. Its capacity to return fire to its source — drawing floating Yang back to the Kidney — makes it essential in formulas for severe Yang deficiency with upward-floating heat signs.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
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.