Cinnamon 肉桂 Ròu Guì

Appearance & Aroma

Thick, curled strips of inner bark from the cassia tree, reddish-brown and deeply furrowed. Unlike the delicate quills of Ceylon cinnamon, cassia bark is robust, substantial, and intensely aromatic. A single small piece can perfume an entire sachet for months.

Rich, warm, sweet, and spicy—cinnamon’s fragrance is among the most universally loved in the world. It carries notes of baked goods and winter holidays, but also something deeper: an ancient, sacred warmth that has been traded along spice routes for millennia.

TCM Properties

• Nature (性 xìng): Hot
• Taste (味 wèi): Pungent (辛 xīn), sweet (甘 gān)
• Meridian Tropism (归经 guī jīng): Kidney (肾 shèn), Spleen (脾 pí), Heart (心 xīn), Liver (肝 gān)

Classical References

Cinnamon occupies a distinguished position in the Chinese pharmacopoeia. The 《神农本草经》 classified it as a superior-grade herb, noting its ability to “warm the center, benefit the liver and lungs, and expel cold from the joints” (温中，利肝肺气，去冷痛风湿).

Li Shizhen devoted extensive attention to cinnamon in the 《本草纲目》, distinguishing it from cassia twig (桂枝 guì zhī) and noting its special ability to “supplement the deficiency of the Gate of Life (ming men), benefit fire, and disperse yin cold” (补命门不足，益火消阴). Zhang Zhongjing, in the 《伤寒杂病论》 (Shang Han Za Bing Lun), included cinnamon in multiple foundational formulas, recognizing its power to warm and transform.

Usage in Chinese Herbal Sachets

Cassia cinnamon bark is one of the most durable sachet ingredients available. A single piece can retain its fragrance for a year or longer. Its sweet warmth is deeply comforting and universally appealing, making it an excellent base note that anchors more volatile herbs in a blend.

Elemental Affinity

Cinnamon’s primary affinity for the Spleen and Stomach places it in the Earth element suite. It warms the center, transforms cold, and nourishes the digestive fire that Earth constitutions depend on. Its sweetness also harmonizes, making it an ideal guide herb that smooths and sweetens any formula.

Custom Blending Ideas

Every constitution is unique. Below are three blend directions—start with these, then adjust to your personal preference. Herbal sachets, like herbal formulas, are best when they are personal.

Safety & Sourcing

Safe in sachet form. Cassia cinnamon contains coumarin; this is relevant for internal consumption but poses no risk in aromatic sachet use. Those with very hot constitutions may prefer it in moderation.