Cinnamon is one of the most important herbs that he uses, and I thought that its' story may give you a new found respect for this sweet powerhouse that is in practically every home (and coffeehouse!).
Because cinnamon is a warm, sweet and pungent herb it can be especially helpful for people that are cold and need nourishment. These people are very thin and muscular, but the muscles have a sort of weak quality to them. Although their muscles are tight, they don't like to be touched, and they may be overly ticklish.
The formula that is most commonly used is called cinnamon twig decoction (Gui zhi tang) from a book called the Shan Han Lun, which was written about 1800 years ago. It is amongst the oldest complete clinical textbooks in the world. At the time the author, Zhang Zhongjing was confronted with many thin or emaciated warriors who recuperated and eventually thrived through the use of Gui zhi tang.
Back then, wars were very hard work. Since there were no cars or planes, soldiers would have to walk on foot to battle. Sometimes that journey would take months and months. During that time, there would be little food and it would be of poor quality, and they would be constantly exposed to the elements so their immunity would be greatly weakened. They were usually very cold and hungry!
Ultimately...think of this... they would arrive at the battle to fight for their lives!
After that battle or several battles they would head home - again on foot with little food or shelter, but this time probably grappling with what we would now call post traumatic stress disorder from all of the terrible things they had seen.
Zhang Zhongjing found that many of these poor men were not only suffering physically and in need of nourishment for their bodies, but also in need of sweetness for their hearts and spirits. The pungent quality of cinnamon would both help to clear out any unwanted colds they may have caught, but also awaken their hearts. Then, the sweet nature of the herb would soothe and warm their hearts - almost saying, "I know you've been through an unbearable situation, but now it's safe to heal." Isn't that beautiful?
I don't know about you, but when I visit my Mom, and she's just made one of her amazing apple pies and the whole house is filled with the smell of apples and cinnamon I would swear that it tells me just that... That any of my worries or concerns that I was carrying into her home aren't important, that all is good, I am safe...
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