Ripe Peel (Ju Pi), Aged Peel (Chen Pi) 1. Warms the Stomach, Clears Damp, Moves Qi: -Colic, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, belching, bloating -guides Stomach Qi down, so is particularly good to stop vomiting and belching -epigastric or abdominal distention -warms and strengthens a cold or damp Stomach, harmonizes and regulates Stomach and Spleen.
2. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough: -Cold-Phlegm Cough and obstruction of Phlegm in the Chest. -copious, viscous phlegm -it has a bronchodilating effect and relieves cold-type Bronchitis and Asthma
3. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine -promotes Urine
4. Moves Qi, Prevents Stagnation: -also Breast lumps from Qi stagnation -helps resolve Gall Stones (proven effect) -used with tonfying herbs to help prevent their rich nature from promoting stagnation
Qing Pi (Unripe Peel) 1. Moves Qi, Resolves Stagnant Qi: -distention and pain in the Chest, Breast or Hypochondria -Breast lumps from Qi stagnation
2. Clears Stagnation, Resolves Clumps: -Food Stagnation with fullness and distention in the epigastrium
Dose:
Powder: 1–3 grams Decoction: 3–9 grams
Comment:: A number of different medicines are derived form Tangerine and related Citrus species in TCM: 1. Chen Pi is the aged Tangerine peel; it has a more delicate flavor and is less pungent and drying than the freshly dried peel. This is best. Ju Pi and Chen Pi are better for the Stomach and Digestion. 2. Qing Pi (Unripe Peel) is less warming, less aromatic, and more Bitter. It is stronger to move Liver Qi stagnation. 3. Ju Hong is red Tangerine peel. It is more dry and stronger to move Qi, but isn’t as good to regulate the Stomach. 4. Hua Ju Hong is Pomelo peel from Citrus grandis. In the Chinese Pharmacopeia, it has the same indications as Ju Hong. 5. Tangerine seed (Ju He) are neutral and Bitter. They move Qi, open obstruction and ease pain. Mainly used for hernia and breast lumps. Dose: 3–9 grams 6. Tangerine leaf is neutral and Bitter. It moves the Qi of the Liver and is used for hypochondriac pain, breast Abscesses and Lumps and abdominal masses. Dose: 6–9 grams 7. Tangerine peel is used similarly to Orange peel (Aurantium) in the West.
Substitute:
Orange peel can generally replace Tangerine peel Chen Pi. Chen Pi, being aged, can be viewed as superior. A number of related Citrus medicines can be used similarly.
Main Combinations:
Often combined with Pinellia Ban Xia in TCM. Pinellia is stronger to clear Cold Phlegm, and can helps break up Phlegm masses and obstructions. Citrus Chen Pi is more aromatic, better to move Qi and relieve stagnation, while also resolving Damp and helping to cut through Phlegm. Together, they mutally enhance the effect of resolving Phlegm and Damp and can be used for various conditions including Gastrointestinal diseases, Asthma, Phlegm masses etc.
1. Abdominal discomfort, nausea, loss of appetite from Damp, combine Tangerine peel (Chen Pi) with fresh Ginger 2. Cold-Phlegm and Damp conditions, Tangerine peel (Chen Pi) with Pinellia Ban Xia, Poria Fu Ling and fresh Ginger. 3. Cough with excess Phlegm, Tangerine peel (Chen Pi) with Pinellia Ban Xia, Poria Fu Ling, Coltsfoot flower (Kuan Dong Hua), Licorice, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong, Platycodon Jie Geng, Bitter Almond kernel (Ku Xing Ren) (as in Zhi Ke Ju Hong Kou Fu Ye) 4. Spasm and pain of the Stomach or Intestines, combine Tangerine peel (Chen Pi) with Costus 5. Stomach weakness with bloating, discomfort, combine Tangerine peel (Chen Pi) with White Atractylodes Bai Zhu or Elecampane, and Licorice 6. Damp obstruction of the Stomach and Spleen, Tangerine peel (Chen Pi) with Amomum Sha Ren. 7. Acute Mastitis, decoction of Tangerine peel (Chen Pi) (30 grams), Licorice (6 grams). (This was successful in 85 of 88 cases in a clinical trial)
Guillot, Revue horticole, serié 4, (1852-1974)
Whole dried Tangerine peel (Ju Pi)
