The efficacy and action points of cinnamon twig

Cassia twig is the dried branch of cinnamon, a shrub of the Lauraceae family. The branches are cut in spring and summer, dried or air-dried, and cut into slices or segments for use. It is preferred to choose those with fresh, symmetrical branches, reddish-brown color and strong fragrance. Cinnamon twig tastes pungent and sweet, is warm in nature, and enters the heart, lung, and bladder meridians. It was first recorded in "Shennong's Herbal Classic". "The Great Dictionary of Chinese Medicine" says that it has the functions of "inducing sweating and relieving muscles, warming the meridians and promoting yang. It can treat cold symptoms, rheumatism, pain in the chest, phlegm, liver depression and kidney deficiency, and urinary problems".

The efficacy and support of cinnamon twig

Antibacterial effect

Cinnamon twig alcohol extract can inhibit Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus outside the body, with the effective concentration being 25 mg/ml or below; it also has an inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, Streptococcus typhi and paratyphoid A, Pneumococcus, Clostridium difficile, Proteus, anthrax, Salmonella enteritidis, Vibrio cholerae, etc.

Antiviral therapeutic efficacy

Using engineered embryonic kidney primary squamous epithelial cell tissue modeling, Guizhi decoction (1:20) had an inhibitory effect on influenza A Asian strain Jingke 68-1 and abandoned virus infection (ECHO11). In chicken embryos, it has an inhibitory effect on cold viruses, with 70% alcohol extract being most effective.

Good for urination

Intravenous injection of 0.25g/kg of Wuling Powder containing cinnamon twig into anesthetized dogs can increase the dogs' urine output continuously. The intravenous injection of cinnamon twig alone (0.029g/kg) has a more significant diuretic effect than the other four prescriptions alone. Therefore, it is believed that cinnamon twig is one of the key diuretic ingredients in Wuling Powder, and its effect may be similar to that of mercuroclase.

Soften blood vessels and promote sweating

The star anise oil in cinnamon twigs can soften blood vessels, adjust the blood circulation system, allow blood to flow into the epidermis, and enhance the sweating effect of ephedra.

Antipyretic, analgesic

Cinnamaldehyde and sodium anise acid in cinnamon twigs can dilate skin capillaries, increase heat dissipation, promote sweating, and increase pain threshold.

Sedative, anticonvulsant

Cinnamon twig contains cinnamaldehyde. After mice were given cinnamaldehyde, their independent activity was reduced, the effect of barbiturates was enhanced, the effect of amphetamine was resisted, and the effect of strychnine was resisted; nicotine-induced convulsions were reduced, and audiogenic convulsions were suppressed.

Anti-infection, anti-allergy

The volatile oil in cinnamon twig can inhibit the IgE-induced mast cell granulocyte reaction. It reduces complement specificity and has anti-allergic effect.