 Tangerine
peel (Chenpi)
Pharmaceutical Name : Pericarpium Citri
reticulatae
Botanical Name : Citrus reticulata Blanco
Common Name : Tangerine peel
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao
Jing
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical
Preparations : After tangerines ripen in autumn,
the skins are collected and dried.
 Properties & Taste : Pungent, bitter
and warm
Meridians : Spleen and lung
Functions:
• Activates vital energy circulation.
• Strengthens the stomach to improve digestive functions.
• Invigorates the spleen.
• Eases the dislodging of phlegm, mucus, and sputum from the respiratory tract.
• Reduces the severity and frequency of coughs.
• Relieves local infections.
Indications & Combinations:
1. Qi stagnation in the spleen and stomach
manifested as epigastric and abdominal distension
and fullness, belching, nausea and vomiting,
poor appetite and diarrhea. Tangerine peel
(Chenpi) is used with Bitter orange (Zhiqiao)
and Costus root (Muxiang) for epigastric and
abdominal distension and fullness, with Fresh
ginger (Shengjiang) and Bamboo shavings (Zhuru)
for nausea and vomiting, and with Pilose asiabell
root (Dangshen) and White atractylodes (Baizhu)
for poor appetite and diarrhea.
2. Dampness blocking the spleen and stomach
manifested as fullness and stifling sensation
in the chest and epigastric region, poor appetite,
lassitude, diarrhea and white and sticky tongue
coating. Tangerine peel (Chenpi) is used with
Atractylodes rhizome (Cangzhu) and Magnolia
bark (Houpo) in the formula Pingwei San.
3. Excessive dampness, deficiency of the
spleen and turbid phlegm blocking the lungs
manifested as cough with profuse sputum. Tangerine
peel (Chenpi) is used with Pinellia tuber
(Banxia) and Poria (Fuling) in the formula
Erchen Tang.
Dosage: 3-10 g |
