Chinese Medicines along Silk Road: the Spread of Cinnamon and Its Knowledge of Medical Applications

Cinnamon was a significant commodity in the spice trade along the Silk Road and was popular throughout Asia, Europe, and Africa, where it has been widely used in medicine, religion, and daily life from ancient times to the present day. This article examines the ancient literature related to cinnamon from a global perspective, exploring its origins, spread, and medicinal uses documented in various traditional medicines. It aims to uncover the exchange of medicinal knowledge among civilizations along the Silk Road and the contribution of Chinese medicine to medical practices worldwide. The findings indicate that China and Southeast Asia were the primary sources of cinnamon used in the West during ancient times, with Persian and Arab traders playing a crucial role in its transmission from East to West. The common and unique applications of cinnamon in various medical traditions illustrate the dynamic flow of medicinal knowledge across regions and highlight the distinct strengths and characteristics of traditional medicines shaped by diverse cultural backgrounds. Taking cinnamon as an example, this study demonstrates how the westward spread of Chinese medicine promoted the exchange and integration of medical knowledge among countries along the Silk Road. It contributes to understanding the patterns of medicinal knowledge dissemination between the ancient East and West, with medicine as the carrier for cultural exchange.