With its enticing aroma, cinnamon is a favorite addition to coffee for many. Not only does it reduce the bitterness of coffee, but it also enhances the overall fragrance. However, it isn’t just a flavoring — it is also a staple in traditional Chinese medicine, known for its extensive benefits, including potentially lifesaving properties.
Boosting yang energy and improving blood circulation
Also called guigui, guixin, or yugui, cinnamon is classified in traditional Chinese medicine as pungent, sweet, and extremely hot in nature. It is believed to affect the kidney, spleen, heart, and liver meridians. It can warm the body, dispel cold, improve circulation, and alleviate pain.
Its primary role lies in increasing the body’s yang energy, which is essential for maintaining vitality and warmth. By stimulating kidney yang and warming the mingmen fire (a vital energy center in the lower back), cinnamon helps improve circulation, prevent clots, and enhance overall health.
In Chinese medicine, yang is often compared to the fire in a furnace, while yin is likened to the water in a pot. Balancing these two is essential for good health, with kidney yang acting as the root of the body’s yang energy.
Practical uses of cinnamon
1. Warming cold hands and feet
People who feel cold even after consuming warming foods like ginger may find relief with cinnamon. Adding a small amount of the powder (no more than 3g per day) to meals can effectively warm hands and feet within a week by directly invigorating kidney yang.
2. Alleviating angina in coronary heart disease
Historically, cinnamon was a common remedy for angina. Modern research shows its potential to lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots, and protect blood vessel walls, making it beneficial for cardiovascular health.
3. Easing cold-induced digestive issues
Individuals with a weak and cold digestive system often experience bloating, pain, acid reflux, or constipation. For such cases, a small amount of cinnamon, along with any prescribed gastrointestinal medicine, can help improve digestion and alleviate discomfort.
4. Regulating blood sugar levels
Cinnamon contains compounds with insulin-like properties that can help lower blood sugar levels. A Swedish study found that consuming 3 g with meals enhanced insulin sensitivity without raising blood sugar, potentially aiding in type 2 diabetes prevention and management.
Another U.S. study revealed that cinnamon reduced post-meal blood sugar spikes and lowered cholesterol levels in prediabetic individuals.
Special considerations for specific conditions
Recognizing patterns of yang imbalance can help you identify whether cinnamon might improve your energy and circulation.
- Yang imbalance symptoms:
- Daiyang syndrome (upper heat, lower cold): Symptoms include flushed face, dizziness, mouth ulcers, lower back pain, and cold feet.
- Yin excess with yang deficiency: This manifests as feeling hot but craving warmth, mild thirst with low water intake, and restless hands and feet despite appearing calm.
- Recommended dosages:
- For improving blood circulation: Add around 1 g of cinnamon to blood-tonifying remedies.
- For kidney yang deficiency: Use 2-5 g daily to address symptoms like cold limbs, back pain, frequent nighttime urination, or joint discomfort.
People who should avoid cinnamon
This spice is not suitable for everyone. Avoid it if you:
- have yin deficiency with internal heat (symptoms include dry mouth, irritability, night sweats, or poor sleep).
- are pregnant.
- have a bleeding disorder.
In summary, while cinnamon’s warmth and healing properties make it a powerful ally for many health concerns, it must be used judiciously to avoid adverse effects. Always consult a healthcare professional if you are unsure about incorporating it into your diet or treatment plan.
Translated by Audrey Wang
Follow us on X, Facebook, or Pinterest
