Cassia Twig — Safety & Interactions
Gui Zhi · Ramulus Cinnamomi
Use with caution. Practitioner review recommended before use.
Contraindications
- Warm or febrile disorders without cold involvement
- Yin deficiency with Heat signs
- Blood-heat bleeding or excessive sweating from fluid depletion
Cautions
- Gui Zhi is lighter than Rou Gui but can still aggravate heat signs, thirst, restlessness, or bleeding if used in the wrong pattern
- Some cinnamon products contain coumarin levels high enough to raise liver-safety concerns with excessive intake
- Gastrointestinal upset and allergic reactions have been reported with cinnamon products
Drug Interactions
| Drug Class / Substrate | Mechanism | Severity | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CYP450 substrate drugs | Preclinical studies suggest cinnamon inhibits CYP2A6, CYP2C9, CYP2D, and CYP3A4 and may increase the risk of side effects from drugs metabolized by these enzymes | Moderate | Memorial Sloan Kettering Integrative Medicine - Cinnamon |
| Statins | Concurrent use has been associated with hepatitis in a case report | Moderate | Memorial Sloan Kettering Integrative Medicine - Cinnamon |
| Pioglitazone | Animal studies suggest cinnamon can increase pioglitazone bioavailability | Moderate | Memorial Sloan Kettering Integrative Medicine - Cinnamon |
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal medicines, especially if you take prescription medications.