Citrus medica, Citron
C. medica var. sarcodactylis, Finger Citron, Fo Shou 佛手
Poma CitrinaCitron Peel: Ju Yuan (TCM)
Finger Citron peel: Fo Shou (TCM)
Gart der Gesundheit, Cuba, 1485
Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491 |
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578 |
Hand-Atlas Medicinisch-Pharmaceutischer, 1884Botanical name:
Citrus medica, C. wilsonii.
In addition, TCM uses Citron Fo Shou (Finger Citron), C. medica var. sarcodactylis
Parts used:
Peel; also the Seeds and Fruit
Peel should be yellow and with good scent
Temperature & Taste:
Juice is cool and moist;
Peel and Seed are Warm, dry. Pungent, Sour
Peel and seed attenuate, digest, cleanses
Classification:
J. Regulates Qi
Uses:
PEEL:
1. Clears Damp, Moves Qi (West, TCM)i:
-cold and moist diseases of the Stomach; Colic, Nausea, poor Appetite, Belching
-epigastric or abdominal distention and pain
-Cold and Dampness of the Brains or Nerves
-chest and flank distention and pain from Liver Qi obstruction
2. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough (TCM):
-Cough with excess clear Phlegm and heaviness of the chest
3. Resists Poison (West):
-‘good against all Poison, resists Putrefaction, and malignant Diseases, kills Worms, is Diaphoretic’. (Schroder)
-Snake Bite; Rabid Dog Bites
-Epidemic diseases, Measles, Small Pox, Plague
-Fruit, Peel and Seed were all accounted good preservatives during epidemics
4. Kill Worms (peel, seed)
CONFECTED CITRON PEEL:
Citron peel and fruit were both confected. Confected peel is especially good to move Qi, for abdominal pain and distention, bloating, indigestion, and is more pleasant to take, and therefore better for those with sensitive stomachs.
CONSERVED FRUIT:
Good in Fevers, soothes dryness, strengthens and protects the Heart. Cools the Heart, Liver and Stomach.
CONSERVE OF THE FLOWERS:
Conserve of the flowers benefits the Stomach, moves Qi and promotes cheerfulness. Used for distention and bloating of the Stomach, and for mild cases of Melancholy.
JUICE:
Cooling, clears Heat of Fever and is useful in Epidemic diseases being used similarly to Lemon juice.
Comment:
TCM primarily uses Finger Citron (Fo Shou); however, they also use regular Citron. The two were previously considered synonymous. Some practitioners regard Finger Citron (Fo Shou) as stronger to break up Qi while regular Citron is stronger to clear Cold Phlegm Cough. However, the 2 have very similar effects and can be used interchangeably.
Dose:
Peel in Decoction: 3–9 grams;
Peel in Powder: 1–3 grams
Substitute:
1. Orange or Tangerine peel can often replace Citron peel.
2. Finger Citron peel Fo Shou of TCM may replace regular Citron peel.
Main Combinations:
1. Epigastric or abdominal distention and pain, Citron peel with Costus (TCM)
2. To strengthen the Stomach Citron peel with Mastic and Cinnamon (as in Powder to Strengthen the Stomach of Nicholas)
3. Melancholy:
i. Wine of Citron peel (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
ii. Citron peel, Borage, Balm (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
4. Cough with excess cold Phlegm, Citron peel with Pinella Ban Xia and Poria Fu Ling (TCM)
Major Formulas:
Powder to Strengthen the Stomach (Nicholas)
Powder of Happiness (Letificans)
Letificans Almansoris (Rhasis)
Letificans Temperate Electuary
Electuary for Stomach Debility (Unani)
Tincture of Life (Mynsichts)
Cautions:
Generally safe, however the are drying and move Qi. Therefore, they are liable to damage Yin and exhaust Qi if used excessively.
Main Preparations used:
Candied Citron, Candied and Confected Peel, Conserve of the Flowers, Distilled Water of the Peel, Distilled Oil
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History