 Immature
bitter orange (Zhishi)
Pharmaceutical Name : Fructus Aurantii immaturus
Botanical Name : 1. Citrus aurantium L.;
2. Citrus sinensis Osbeck
Common Name : Immature bitter orange fruit
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao
Jing
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical
Preparations : The immature fruit is gathered
in July or August. The fruit is halved and
dried in the sun, cleaned, soaked in water
overnight, cut into slices and dried again.
 Properties & Taste : Bitter, pungent
and slightly cold
Meridians : Spleen, stomach and large intestine
Functions :
1. To disperse stagnant qi and relieve food
retention;
2. To resolve phlegm and relieve fullness
sensation
Indications & Combinations:
1. Retention of food manifested as epigastric
and abdominal distension and fullness and
belching with foul odor. Immature bitter orange
(Zhishi) is used with Hawthorn fruit (Shanzha),
Germinated barley (Maiya) and Medicated leaven
(Shenqu).
2. Abdominal distension, fullness and constipation.
Immature bitter orange (Zhishi) is used with
Magnolia bark (Houpo) and Rhubarb (Dahuang).
3. Weakness of the spleen and stomach in
transporting and transforming manifested as
epigastric and abdominal distension and fullness
after meals. Immature bitter orange (Zhishi)
is used with White atractylodes (Baizhu) in
the formula Zhi Zhu Wan.
4. Damp-heat stagnating in the intestines
manifested as dysentery, tenesmus and abdominal
pain. Immature bitter orange (Zhishi) is used
with Rhubarb (Dahuang), Coptis root (Huanglian)
and Scutellaria root (Huangqin) in the formula
Zhishi Daozhi Wan.
5. Turbid phlegm blocking circulation of
qi in the chest manifested as stifling sensation
and pain in the chest, epigastric fullness
and nausea. Immature bitter orange (Zhishi)
is used Macrostem onion (Xiebai), Cinnamon
twigs (Guizhi) and Trichosanthes fruit (Gualou)
in the formula Zhishi Xiebai Guizhi Tang.
6. Prolapse of the uterus, rectum and stomach.
Immature bitter orange (Zhishi) is used with
White atractylodes (Baizhu) and Astragalus
root (Huangqi).
Dosage: 3-10 g
Cautions & Contraindications:
This herb should be used with caution during
pregnancy. |
