Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) is the tender branch of Cinnamomum cassia Presl, family Lauraceae. The medicinal material is collected during spring and summer. It is dried either in the shade or in the sun, and then cut into small pieces or segments for use.
Category: Exterior Releasing. Wind-Cold relieving.
Common Name: Cinnamon Twig; Cassia Twig.
Channels Enetered: Heart, Lung and Bladder.
Properties and Functions: It is pungent and sweet in flavour and warm in nature. It is a diaphoretic and induces sweating to release exterior syndromes and activate Yang Qi and Wei Qi. It promotes Qi circulation by warming the channels and dispersing Cold. It also acts to tonify Heart Yang.
Indications: The main clinical indications for use of Gui Zhi are:
- Exterior Wind-Cold syndrome with sweating.
- Pain due to Blood stagnation resulting from Wind-Cold, especially in the upper extremities.
- Palpitations, dizziness and fullness in the chest due to fluid retention.
Dosage: 3 – 9g
Cautions and Contra-Indications: It is contra-indicated in cases of febrile disease and Yin deficiency with hyperactive Yang, as well as in cases of bleeding due to Blood-Heat. It should be used with caution during pregnancy and with cases of menorrhagia.