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Cinnamon Dings, Cinnamon Ears, and Cinnamon Roots

*Xuepu Yushu* records: There is a variety that blooms and bears fruit throughout the four seasons; this is the true *Gui* (Osmanthus fragrans), most abundant in Fujian, usually blooming in full force during spring. All *Gui* that bloom across the four seasons bear fruit; this is the true *Gui*. The *Gui* of Jiangnan blooms in full force in the eighth and ninth lunar months but does not bear fruit; this is *Muxi* (Osmanthus fragrans var. thunbergii). *Lin Hai Zhi* records: In the third month of the Chuigong era of the Tang Dynasty, Moon Osmanthus seeds descended upon Linhai. They were fragrant with the scent of cinnamon and brought a sense of comfort when consumed. During the Shaoding era of the Song Dynasty, Shu obtained two sheng of Moon Osmanthus seeds from Tiantai Mountain. They were as large as camphor tree seeds, without skin, white like jade, with patterns resembling quail eggs. Inside was the kernel, which smelled like sesame when chewed. Mixed with chrysanthemum and placed in a pillow bag, those scattered into rock crevices would sprout trees within ten days, with soft, long leaves remaining green through winter. Planted in pots, they would eventually disappear.

The nature is warm; the flavor is pungent and neutral. It soothes the Liver and warms the Stomach, making it highly suitable for cold pain in the epigastrium. *Yaoxing Kao* records: Sweet and pungent, warm in nature; it warms the middle, warms the Stomach, soothes the Liver, benefits the Kidney, dispels cold, and stops hiccups.

*Bai Cao Jing* states: Resembling Evodiae Fructus (Wuzhuyu), produced in Jiaozhi, Guangxi, it is the fruit of Cinnamomi Cortex (Rougui). It treats heart pain and repels cold pathogenic factors causing stomach pain. *Bai Cao Jing* further states: Grind Cinnamon Dings into fine powder and take three qian with wine.

Produced in the mountains of Kaihua, it is a fungus steamed out of old trees over many years. The surface is red. Locals collect it to treat blood diseases. It treats all types of blood disorders and hematemesis.

Note: *Bencao Gangmu* divides *Gui* into five types: 1. "Gui," now known as Jiao Gui; 2. "Mu Gui," now known as Guang Gui; 3. "[Missing Character] Gui," commonly called Muxi; 4. "Tianzhu Gui," mountain *Gui* in Zhejiang, bearing fruits like lotus seeds; 5. "Moon Gui," which blooms in all four seasons. The *Gui* seeds mentioned here are Tianzhu Gui seeds. *Bencao Gangmu* omitted the therapeutic indications. If it refers to Moon Gui, its seeds were indeed recorded. "Cinnamon Ding" refers to the seeds of Guang Gui, whose indications are also not stated in *Bencao Gangmu*. As for "Cinnamon Ear," it exists in all types of *Gui*, with similar properties, yet none are recorded in *Bencao Gangmu*; these are all supplemented here.

*Heji Yuan Yetan Suilu* records: Lu Qi, the younger brother of Sima Lv, served in an official post in Lingnan. He had a quiet courtyard with an ancient well on the right side of the veranda. Beside the well stood two old *Gui* trees, thick enough to require two people to embrace. On a clear summer night under bright moonlight, while Lu Qi cooled himself under the veranda, he heard continuous sounds from the well. Leaning on the railing to peek, he saw the well water white as silver, containing red pills, each as large as a marble, numbering dozens or hundreds, glowing like fire, jumping upwards competitively. They jumped higher and higher, reaching only about one chi from the railing. Startled, Lu Qi informed Sima Lv. The next day, servants were sent down by rope to investigate. Finding nothing unusual, they retrieved dozens of *Gui* seeds, fresh and red. Lu Qi jokingly swallowed them with well water, seven per day, finishing them in seven days—exactly forty-nine seeds, which happened to be the number collected. Later, Lu Qi lived to be ninety-nine years old, passing away without illness. Dong Qujiang, a Grand Historian from Pingyuan who was friendly with Lu Qi, witnessed this and recorded it.

I, Zhao Xuemin, note: Current Moon Osmanthus seeds resemble lotus seeds; fresh ones are green, drying to pale black. The ones Lu Qi saw were as large as marbles, fresh and crimson, likely a different species. Consulting *Tiandi Yundu Jing*: "North of Mount Tai stand seventy *Gui* trees, guarded by three thousand Heavenly Deities, Qingyao Jade Maidens. Their fruits are red like oranges; humans who eat them can ascend to heaven within one year." Perhaps this was such a species. Alas, Lord Lu only consumed forty-nine seeds, thus attaining longevity.