（本经上品）
关有匹为十二原之所出入，节之交三百六十五会，为神气之所游行出入也。
【气味】辛温，无毒。
【主治】主上气咳逆，结气，喉痹，吐吸，利关节，补中益气。久服通神，轻身不老。
【气味】辛温，无毒。
【主治】主百病，养精神，和颜色，为诸药先聘通使。久服轻身不老，面生光华，媚好
尝如童子。
【核】曰∶牡桂，出合浦交趾、广州象州、湘州桂岭诸处。生必高山之巅，旁无杂树自
为林类，叶色尝青，凌冬不凋，如枇杷叶，边有锯齿，表里俱有白毛，中心有纵文两道，宛
如圭形，四月有花无实，木皮紫赤，坚浓臭香，气烈味重者为最。枝皮为桂枝。干皮之薄者
为桂皮，浓者为桂、为桂心、为肉桂、为官桂。以皮作钉，钉他木根，旬日即死。 桂，出
交趾桂林山谷，生必临岩，正圆如竹，小于牡桂，亦自为林。凌冬不凋，叶如柿叶，尖狭光
泽，无锯齿，中心有纵文三道，四月蕊黄花白，五月结子如暗河之实，木皮青黄，环卷如筒，
亦
【 】曰∶牡桂凌岭， 桂临岩，旁无杂木，自为林类。此非落落难合，故为高险，乃
刹帝利种，凡木不得与其班列故尔。桂从圭，执圭如也。圭者阴阳之始，自然之形，故叶文
如之。光泽色相，不假雕琢，牡色紫赤，有花无子，得阳之始； 色青黄，有花有子，得阴
之始。牡为牡， 为牝也。盖圭之妙用，宣扬宣摄，靡不合和。牡主气结喉痹，神明不通，
关节不利，此病之欲宣扬者也。牡则先宣摄中气，而后为宣扬者也。亦主上气咳逆，不能吸
入，反吐其吸，此病之欲宣摄者也。牡则先宣扬中气，而后为宣摄者也。 主和颜色，使光
华外溢，媚好尝如童子，及为诸药之先聘通使，此藏阴之气欲宣扬者也。 则先宣摄精神，
而后为宣扬者也。设宣扬而不先宣摄，宣摄而不先宣扬，斯不和，斯不合矣。 则宣扬宣摄
藏阴神藏之五；牡则宣扬宣摄中气关节窍脉形藏之四。功力之有异同者，牝牡有别故也。不
唯有别，且各分身以为族类，故各从其类以为上下内外，轻重浓薄之殊。气味辛温，功齐火
大，对治以寒为本，以阴为标，以寒水为化；或本之本气似隐，而标之寒化反显；或阴气承
阳，而血妄行；或水寒亢害，而厥逆洞注；或火不归源而外焰内寒；或火失炎上而盲聋喑哑；
或真火息而邪火炽；或壮火盛而少火灭；此皆宣扬宣摄火大之体，宣扬宣摄燎原之用。灰心
冷志人，内无暖气，外显寒酸，更当饵服。乃若驱风，捷如影响，以刹帝利种。凡木望风自
靡，故一名 ，言能侵害他木，木得桂而即死。圭之义大矣哉。
（梵语刹帝利，此云王种，故圭有四，镇桓信躬，王公侯伯执之，从重土者，以封诸侯
也。又土圭，测土深正日景，以求地中。又圭田，田之所入，以奉祭祀，为言洁也。又六十
四黍为圭。又刀圭作匕，正方一寸，抄散，取不落为度。）
(Shennong Bencao Jing, Upper Grade)
The twelve Yuan (Source) points are where Qi enters and exits at the joints; the 365 meeting points of the body are where Shen (Spirit) and Qi circulate and enter or exit.
[Flavor and Properties] Acrid, Warm, Non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats rebellious Qi with cough and wheezing, stagnant Qi, throat obstruction (sore throat with swelling and difficulty swallowing), rapid breathing with difficulty inhaling, unblocks the joints, tonifies the Middle Jiao and benefits Qi. Long-term use enhances spiritual clarity, lightens the body, and delays aging.
[Flavor and Properties] Acrid, Warm, Non-toxic.
[Indications] Treats various diseases, nourishes the Spirit, harmonizes the complexion, and acts as a pioneer envoy among herbs to facilitate the action of other medicines. Long-term use lightens the body, delays aging, gives the face a radiant glow, and makes one appear charming and youthful like a child.
[Verification] It is said: Mu Gui (Cinnamomum cassia bark) grows in Hepu, Jiaozhi, Xiangzhou in Guangzhou, and Guiling in Xiangzhou. It must grow on the peaks of high mountains, without mixed trees around, forming its own forest category. The leaves are evergreen, not shedding in winter, resembling loquat leaves, with serrated edges, covered with white hairs on both surfaces, having two longitudinal veins in the center, shaped like a jade gui (tablet). It flowers in April but bears no fruit. The bark is purple-red, thick, dense, fragrant, with a strong aroma and heavy taste; those with the most intense properties are the best. The branch bark is called Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig). The thinner trunk bark is called Guipi (Cinnamon Bark), while the thicker parts are called Gui, Guixin (Cinnamon Heart), Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), and Guangui (Official Cinnamon). If made into nails and driven into the roots of other trees, those trees will die within ten days.
Gui (Cinnamomum osmophloeum) grows in the valleys of Guilin, Jiaozhi. It must grow near cliffs, with a trunk round like bamboo, smaller than Mu Gui, also forming its own forest. It does not shed leaves in winter. The leaves resemble persimmon leaves, pointed, narrow, glossy, without serrations, having three longitudinal veins in the center. In April, the flower buds are yellow and white; in May, it bears fruit resembling that of an "Anhe" plant. The bark is yellowish-green, rolled like a tube...
[Verification] It is said: Mu Gui grows on mountain ridges, Gui grows by cliffs, without mixed trees around, forming its own forest. This is not because they are aloof and hard to combine, but because they are high and steep, belonging to the Kshatriya caste (royal/warrior class), so other trees cannot stand in their rank. The character Gui (Cinnamon) derives from Gui (Jade Tablet), holding a jade tablet. The Gui represents the beginning of Yin and Yang, the natural form, hence the leaf veins resemble it. Its luster and color require no carving. Mu Gui is purple-red, has flowers but no fruit, obtaining the beginning of Yang; Gui is yellowish-green, has flowers and fruit, obtaining the beginning of Yin. Mu is male, Pin (female) is female. The subtle function of the Gui lies in promoting (Xuan Yang) and gathering/restraining (Xuan She), achieving harmony. Mu Gui treats Qi stagnation, throat obstruction, lack of spiritual clarity, and joint dysfunction; these are conditions where the pathogen desires to be dispersed (promoted). Mu Gui first gathers/restrains the Middle Qi, then promotes dispersion. It also treats rebellious Qi with cough and wheezing, inability to inhale, and expelling air instead; these are conditions where the pathogen desires to be gathered/restrained. Mu Gui first promotes dispersion of the Middle Qi, then gathers/restrains. Gui harmonizes the complexion, allowing radiance to overflow, making one look charming and youthful, and acts as the pioneer envoy for other herbs; this is when the Yin Qi of the Zang organs desires to be promoted. Gui first gathers/restrains the Spirit, then promotes dispersion. If promotion occurs without prior gathering, or gathering without prior promotion, there is no harmony and no combination. Gui governs the gathering and restraining of the five Zang (Yin) organs; Mu Gui governs the promoting and dispersing of the four Fu (Yang) organs including Middle Qi, joints, orifices, vessels, and形体 (form). The differences in efficacy arise from the distinction between male and female. Not only are they distinct, but they also branch out into clans, thus differing in upper/lower, inner/outer, heavy/light, and thick/thin qualities. Their flavor is acrid and warm, their power equals Fire (one of the Four Elements), treating Cold as the root, Yin as the branch, and transforming via Cold Water; or the root Qi seems hidden while the branch's Cold transformation becomes apparent; or Yin Qi follows Yang Qi, causing blood to move recklessly; or Cold Water becomes excessive and harmful, causing cold reversal and profuse diarrhea; or Fire fails to return to its source, causing external heat and internal cold; or Fire fails to flare upward, causing blindness, deafness, muteness, and aphasia; or True Fire extinguishes while Evil Fire blazes; or Vigorous Fire flourishes while Mild Fire perishes. These all involve the promoting and gathering of the substance of Fire, and the application of Fire's spreading nature. For people with cold hearts and minds, lacking internal warmth and showing external signs of cold poverty, consumption is particularly suitable. As for dispelling Wind, it is swift as shadow and echo, due to being a Kshatriya species. All trees fall before the wind, hence another name implies it can harm other trees, which die upon contact with Cinnamon. The meaning of Gui is truly great.
(Kshatriya is a Sanskrit term meaning Royal Lineage. Thus, there are four types of Gui tablets: Zhen, Huan, Xin, Gong, held by kings, dukes, marquises, and counts. Those with the radical 'Earth' are used for enfeoffing feudal lords. There is also the Earth Gui, used to measure land depth and correct solar shadows to find the center of the earth. There is also Gui Field, whose produce serves sacrifices, implying purity. Also, sixty-four millet grains constitute a Gui. Also, a Dao Gui (knife-shaped scoop) acts as a spoon, square inch, used for scooping powdered herbs, with the standard being that none falls off.)