ISO 19851:2025
(Main)Traditional Chinese medicine — Cinnamomum cassia branch
Traditional Chinese medicine — Cinnamomum cassia branch
This document specifies the quality and safety requirements for Cinnamomum cassia branch derived from Cinnamomum cassia Presl. This document is applicable to Cinnamomum cassia branch that is sold as natural medicines in international trade including Chinese materia medica (whole medicinal materials) and decoction pieces derived from Cinnamomum cassia Presl.
Médecine traditionnelle chinoise — Branche de Cinnamomum cassia
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 19851
First edition
Traditional Chinese medicine —
2025-02
Cinnamomum cassia branch
Médecine traditionnelle chinoise — Branche de Cinnamomum cassia
Reference number
© ISO 2025
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Descriptions . 2
5 Quality and safety requirements and recommendations . 2
5.1 General requirements .2
5.2 Morphological features .2
5.3 Microscopic features .3
5.3.1 Transverse section . . .3
5.3.2 Powder .3
5.4 Thin-layer chromatogram identification .4
5.5 Moisture .4
5.6 Total ash .4
5.7 Ethanol-soluble extractives .4
5.8 Marker compounds .4
5.9 Heavy metals .4
5.10 Pesticide residues .5
5.11 Sulfur dioxide residues . . .5
6 Sampling . 5
7 Test methods . 5
7.1 Macroscopic identification .5
7.2 Determination of moisture .5
7.3 Determination of total ash .5
7.4 Determination of ethanol-extractives .5
7.5 Thin-layer chromatogram identification .5
7.6 Determination of marker compound (cinnamaldehyde) .5
7.7 Determination of heavy metals .5
7.8 Determination of pesticide residues .5
7.9 Determination of sulfur dioxide residues .5
8 Test report . 6
9 Packaging, storage and transportation . 6
10 Marking and labelling . 6
Annex A (informative) Thin-layer chromatogram identification of Cinnamomum cassia branch . 7
Annex B (informative) Determination of cinnamaldehyde content . 9
Annex C (informative) Reference information and method for differentiating Cinnamomum
cassia and Cinnamomum burmanni branch .11
Annex D (informative) National and regional quality requirements for Cinnamomum cassia
branch . .13
Bibliography .15
iii
Foreword
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of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 249, Traditional Chinese medicine.
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iv
Introduction
Cinnamomum cassia branch, the dried young branch of Cinnamomum cassia Presl (Lauraceae), has been used
as a medicinal herb worldwide for a long time. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, it has
various therapeutic effects, including dissipating cold and releasing the exterior, warming and unblocking
meridians, assisting yang and transforming into qi. Clinically, Cinnamomum cassia branch is used to treat
wind-cold common cold, cold-induced stomach duct and abdominal pain, arthralgia, phlegm-fluid retention,
oedema, palpitations, running piglet, etc.
There is a large market demand for Cinnamomum cassia branch due to its frequent use in clinical
prescriptions and compound preparations of TCM. However, cinnamaldehyde, one of the active ingredients
of Cinnamomum cassia branch, becomes unstable when stored improperly and can lead to reduced efficacy.
Moreover, the international trade of Cinnamomum cassia branch faces challenges due to varying in quality
standards across different countries or regions.
To ensure the quality and enhance the market value of Cinnamomum cassia branch, the establishment of
an International Standard is crucial. This document can help guarantee quality and clinical effectiveness,
promote standardization and modernization, and regulate production, trade and usage. This document
includes the following requirements for Cinnamomum cassia branch: macroscopic morphological observation,
microscopic characteristics of transverse section and powder, phytochemical indexes, and standardized
physical and chemical tests (moisture, total ash, and ethanol-extractives content). Volatile oils are the main
active ingredient in Lauraceae plants. Among them, cinnamaldehyde, which has specific pharmacological
activities such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation and anti-myocardial ischemia, is closely related to the
biological activity of Cinnamomum cassia branch. In this document, a thin-layer chromatography (TLC)
identification method using Cinnamomum cassia branch reference as a marker is established. Additionally,
a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis method of Cinnamomum cassia branch using
cinnamaldehyde as a marker is also developed.
As national implementation can differ, national standards bodies are invited to modify the values given in
5.5 and 5.6 in their national standards. An example of national values is given in Annex D.
v
International Standard ISO 19851:2025(en)
Traditional Chinese medicine — Cinnamomum cassia branch
1 Scope
This document specifies the quality and safety requirements for Cinnamomum cassia branch derived from
Cinnamomum cassia Presl.
This document is applicable to Cinnamomum cassia branch that is sold as natural medicines in international
trade including Chinese materia medica (whole medicinal materials) and decoction pieces derived from
Cinnamomum cassia Presl.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such
...
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