It is revered across many cultures.
Cinnamon is widely known for its comforting flavor in foods and drinks, but in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it holds a deeper therapeutic significance. Revered for its warming and energizing effects, cinnamon has been used for centuries to support circulation, heart function, digestion, and metabolic health. Its warming nature is believed to stimulate vital energy pathways connected to major organs such as the kidneys, heart, spleen, and liver.
In TCM, cinnamon is valued for its ability to enhance “yang” energy, which represents warmth, movement, and vitality in the body. Strengthening this yang energy helps the body generate internal warmth, improve circulation, and dispel coldness. One of its key roles is to support the “Gate of Life” or Mingmen—a central source of energy located between the kidneys. When this internal fire is low, symptoms such as fatigue, cold limbs, and poor circulation may appear. Practitioners often recommend small doses of cinnamon to those who feel persistently cold, especially in cases where other warming herbs like ginger are not effective.
Cinnamon is also used to assist heart health by promoting blood flow and relieving symptoms such as angina, which results from reduced oxygen to the heart. Recent studies have shown that cinnamon can help reduce blood lipids, protect blood vessels, and prevent the formation of arterial plaques. In cases of digestive imbalances such as spleen and stomach yang deficiency, symptoms like bloating, poor appetite, or constipation can improve with cinnamon’s inclusion in herbal blends, as it stimulates digestive movement.
The spice is also known for its potential to help regulate blood sugar. Cinnamon contains plant compounds that may imitate the action of insulin, helping reduce the body’s insulin demand and stabilizing blood glucose levels. Research, including studies from Sweden and the U.S., suggests that even small doses of cinnamon can lower post-meal blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity, especially in individuals with prediabetes or metabolic concerns.
Cinnamon is used not only in culinary applications but also in medicinal preparations such as capsules and powders to support overall wellness. Higher doses may be recommended in specific cases, such as for individuals experiencing symptoms of kidney yang deficiency—cold extremities, fatigue, reproductive issues, or joint pain. When combined with other herbal treatments that enhance blood and energy, cinnamon can significantly improve therapeutic outcomes by promoting warmth, circulation, and overall vitality.
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