无毒
牡桂(出神农本经)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(以
上朱
字神农本经)心痛胁风胁痛温筋通脉止烦出汗(以上黑字名医所录)【名】 (音寝)木桂
【苗】
〔图经曰〕木高三四丈皮薄色黄少脂肉气如木兰味亦相类叶狭于菌桂而长数倍亦似枇杷叶而
大四月生白花全类茱萸花不着子生于岩岭枝叶冬夏常青间无杂木所谓牡桂是也其叶用之作饮
甚香人家园圃亦有种者移植于岭北则气味亦少辛辣故不甚入药也【地】〔图经曰〕生南海山
谷〔道地〕融州桂州交州宜州甚良【时】〔生〕三月四月生花〔采〕二月八月十月取皮【收】
阴干【用】皮【质】类浓朴而光薄【色】紫【味】辛【性】温散【气】气之浓者阳也【臭】
香【主】温筋通脉冷风疼痛【行】手少阴经【制】刮去粗皮锉碎用
无毒
菌桂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常如童子(神农本
经)【苗】〔图经曰〕叶似柿叶而尖狭光净中有三道文花白蕊黄四月开花五月结实树皮青黄肌
理紧薄无骨正圆如竹大枝小枝皮俱是筒有二三重者因其似筒而谓之筒桂也然筒桂即菌桂尔筒
桂字相近其亦传写之误乎大枝皮不能重卷者味极淡薄不入药用【地】〔陶隐居云〕出交州桂
林及蜀都山谷岩崖间〔道地〕韶州宾州【时】〔生〕春生新叶〔采〕三月七月取皮【收】日
干【用】皮【质】类浓朴而卷薄作筒【色】紫【味】辛【性】温散【气】气之浓者阳也【臭】
香【
[Non-toxic]
Mugui (Cinnamomi Ramulus, sourced from *Shennong Bencao Jing*) treats rising qi, cough with rebellious qi, qi stagnation and binding, throat obstruction (hou bi), rapid inhalation and difficult exhalation. It benefits the joints, tonifies the middle jiao, and supplements qi. Long-term use promotes spiritual clarity, lightens the body, and prevents aging. (The text in red above is from *Shennong Bencao Jing*). It treats heart pain, wind affecting the hypochondrium, and hypochondriac pain; it warms the sinews, unblocks the vessels, stops vexation, and induces sweating. (The text in black above is recorded by famous physicians of later generations).
[Name] Pronounced "Qin", also known as Mugui (Wood Cinnamon).
[Morphology]
*[Tujing]* The tree is three to four zhang high. The bark is thin, yellowish, with little resinous flesh but thick substance. Its odor resembles Magnolia officinalis (Xinyi), and its taste is similar. The leaves are narrower than Jungi (Jungui) but several times longer; they also resemble Loquat leaves (Pipaye) but are larger. White flowers bloom in April, resembling Cornus officinalis (Zhuyu) flowers, but no fruit is produced. It grows among rocky ridges, with evergreen branches and leaves throughout winter and summer, without mixed trees. This is what is called Mugui. Its leaves used as a beverage are very fragrant. Some plant it in gardens, but when transplanted north of the Ling Mountains, the flavor becomes slightly pungent and spicy, so it is not highly valued for medicinal use.
[Origin]
*[Tujing]* Grows in valleys of the South Sea region.
[Authentic Origin] Those from Rongzhou, Guizhou, Jiaozhou, and Yizhou are of excellent quality.
[Seasonality]
[Growth] Flowers in March and April.
[Harvest] Bark harvested in February, August, and October.
[Preservation] Dried in shade.
[Medicinal Part] Bark.
[Texture] Similar to Phellodendron bark (Huangbai/Coupu) but smoother and thinner.
[Color] Purple.
[Taste] Pungent.
[Nature] Warm and dispersing.
[Qi Attribute] Substances with strong aroma belong to Yang.
[Odor] Fragrant.
[Indications] Warms the sinews and unblocks collaterals; treats pain caused by cold wind.
[Meridian Tropism] Hand Shaoyin Meridian.
[Preparation] Scrape off the rough outer bark, chop into pieces, and use.
[Non-toxic]
Jungi (Cinnamomi Cortex, specifically the inner bark/true cinnamon) treats hundred diseases, nourishes the spirit and complexion, and acts as a guide and messenger for other herbs. Long-term use lightens the body, prevents aging, makes the face radiant and beautiful, keeping one looking youthful like a child (*Shennong Bencao Jing*).
[Morphology]
*[Tujing]* The leaves resemble Persimmon leaves (Shiyeye) but are sharper and narrower, smooth and clean, with three distinct veins running down the center. The flowers have white petals and yellow stamens. They bloom in April and bear fruit in May. The bark is greenish-yellow, with tight and thin texture, lacking woody core, perfectly cylindrical like bamboo. The bark of both large and small branches forms tubes, often layered two or three times. Because it resembles a tube, it is called Tonggui (Tube Cinnamon). However, Tonggui is essentially Jungui. The similarity in characters between Tonggui and Jungui may be a transcription error. The bark from large branches that cannot roll tightly has a very bland taste and is not used medicinally.
[Origin]
*[Tao Hongjing]* Produced in Jiaozhou, Guilin, and the valleys and cliffs of Shudu.
[Authentic Origin] Zhaozhou and Binzhou.
[Seasonality]
[Growth] New leaves sprout in spring.
[Harvest] Bark harvested in March and July.
[Preservation] Sun-dried.
[Medicinal Part] Bark.
[Texture] Similar to Phellodendron bark but rolled thinly into tubes.
[Color] Purple.
[Taste] Pungent.
[Nature] Warm and dispersing.
[Qi Attribute] Substances with strong aroma belong to Yang.
[Odor] Fragrant.