Library

[Shangpin of the Benjing]
[Flavor and Nature] Pungent, warm, and neutral; non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats epigastric masses with heat and rebellious Qi (rebellious Qi), promotes the digestion and absorption of water and grain. Long-term consumption removes bad breath, directs Qi downward, and unblocks the spirit.
[Evidence] It is said: Oranges and pomelos grow in the Jiangnan region, as well as in southern mountains and valleys. Currently, those from Guangdong are considered superior. The flowers are white, the fruits red; the peel is fragrant and flavorful, especially those from Baoshan in Dongting Lake. North of the Yangtze River, they do not exist, hence it is said that Jiangnan grows oranges, while north of the river grows Zhi (Bitter Orange). The *Kaogong Ji* states: "Crossing the Huai River to the north, it becomes Zhi," indicating similarities and differences. The *Ode on the Orange* says: "The fine tree of Houhuang, the orange adapts to its place; receiving its mandate, it does not move, growing in the southern lands." Qu Yuan compared it to Bo Yi and Shu Qi, wishing to set it as an image, taking its integrity and uprightness as having ambition. The *Chunqiu Yun Dou Shu* says: "The Xuan star scatters to become the orange; bow-makers use orange wood for bow limbs." The pomelo resembles the orange but is larger and more sour. Kong Anguo said: "Small ones are called oranges, large ones are called pomelos." Guo Pu said: "The pomelo resembles the sweet orange but is larger than the orange." The *Yu Gong* records that Yangzhou offered oranges and pomelos as tribute. Both oranges and pomelos cannot tolerate cold, so they were wrapped for transport. "Xi gong" means offering only upon receiving a specific decree, implying they were not regularly available. The *Liezi* says: "In the states of Wu and Chu, there is a great tree named Youju (Citrus medica); its trunk is green and grows in winter, its fruit is red and sour. Eating its peel and juice cures anger and syncope. People in Qizhou treasured it, but crossing the Huai River to the north, it turned into Zhi." This should be a related species. The *Zixu Fu* says: "Oranges and pomelos are fragrant." The *Shudu Fu* says: "Every household has salt wells and springs; every door has an orange and pomelo garden." The *Guangzhi* says: "Chengdu has pomelos, as large as a dou." The *Lüshi Chunqiu* says: "Among beautiful fruits, the oranges of Jiangpu and the pomelos of Yunmeng." Thus, although oranges and pomelos belong to the same category, their varieties differ. The *Benjing* groups them together, stating their efficacy has no superiority or inferiority. Examining ancient formularies, oranges were used but not pomelos. Now, following the *Benjing*, using both oranges and pomelos is considered correct. When processing oranges and pomelos, remove the white pith and grind finely. Wrap in carp skin overnight, and use the next morning.

My late father said: The general term for orange and pomelo should follow the naming in the *Benjing*. There are differences in types such as Cheng (Sweet Orange), Gan (Mandarin), and Zhi (Bitter Orange); trees vary in height, size, presence or absence of thorns, and ridges; fruits vary in shape (round, flat, long, sharp), size, and surface texture (smooth or rough). Generally, the color is deep green, and they do not shed leaves in winter, which is consistent. The fruit peel has pores, darker than the skin itself; inside the skin is a membrane; on the segments are veins; inside the segments is the pulp; inside the pulp is the juice nourishing the seeds. Although there are many varieties, they are distinguished primarily by the flavor of the peel and flesh. Orange peel is bitter and inedible, while the flesh is sweet and edible. Sweet orange peel is sweet and edible, but the flesh is sour and inedible. Mandarin peel and flesh are both sour and sweet and edible. Bitter orange peel and flesh are both inedible. The pomelo is elongated in shape, and its peel and flesh have the same flavor as the orange. Generally, the finest oranges are grafted; seed-grown trees do not bear good fruit; even if they do, the fruit is long and tasteless. What people now call "pomelo" is actually the original meaning of grouping oranges and pomelos together. Pomelos do not require grafting and retain their natural color and flavor without human intervention. Guangdong pomelos are very large and edible; in Yongjia, they are called "Bao." This resembles the Citrus medica (Youju); although named pomelo, the variety is different. Han Yanzhi wrote the *Ju Pu* (Catalogue of Oranges), listing fourteen types, with Wenzhou varieties considered top grade. Recently, in Hangbu, Quzhou, along a thirty-mile stream, banks are lined with orange trees. In spring, flowers create a fragrant snow-like canopy; when ripe, fruits resemble stars amidst greenery. Varieties range from large to small, colors from red to ochre, totaling about twenty types. Among them, honey oranges are the best. Qishui in Wulin produces dozens of honey orange varieties. "Jinqian Chuanxin" is visually appealing but inferior to "Foduqi" (Buddha's Belly Navel), which is small, wrinkled-skinned, sweet, and delicious. Harvested at Frost's Descent, when aroma and flavor are full; stored tightly until spring, peeled, veined removed, segments broken, and juice sucked, it can also invigorate essence and awaken the spirit. This helps clarify textual doubts. If selecting peel for medicinal use, Guangdong varieties are better due to thin, fragrant peel that improves with age.

It is also said: The character Ju (Orange) contains Yu (矞). Yu implies piercing with a cone and overflowing when full, combining meanings of "already out" and "not yet out." Yu denotes two colors, yellow and red intermingling, taking imagery from this. The efficacy lies mainly in the peel. Even after many years, its aromatic and pungent nature does not change but becomes clearer and stronger; no other fruit can match this. This is because the peel of the fruit, maturing in autumn, acquires pungency, embodying the metal element's function of transformation and descent, thus allowing preservation. This truly represents the liver's storage function manifesting as Qi and medicine. When food and drink enter the stomach, they possess the subtlety of ascending, exiting, descending, and entering. The circulating essence first reaches the skin and hair, then transmits to the five zang organs. This is precisely how food and drink transform into the four seasons. Combining the imagery of Yu—already out and not yet out, like piercing and filling—it truly needs no verbal description. The Classics state: "The Upper Jiao opens and develops, disseminating the flavors of grains, steaming the skin, filling the body, and moistening the hair, like mist and dew." Orange peel possesses this quality. Re-reading the *Benjing* and various schools' methods reveals the truth of orange theory. A guest asked: "Chenpi (aged peel) retaining the white pith tonifies the kidney and harmonizes the middle; removing the white pith resolves phlegm and drains Qi. This has been revered since ancient times. Applying the meaning of Yu seems inappropriate." I replied: "This exactly proves the eight-character principle. If one understands the meaning of Yu and applies it, these are indeed the four methods of orange peel. Without understanding this, how could one not confuse the four methods of other herbs? If they could be mixed, the nature would shift, ceasing to be the true inherent nature."
(Food and drink entering the stomach possess the subtlety of ascending, exiting, descending, and entering. This is the method realized by Li Dongyuan, allowing flexible application. Reading is not about breadth but sincere comprehension; grasping even one word from the ancients brings lifelong benefit.)

[Lu Zhiyi] says: The nature of Wood resides in the peel, each having specialization. Considering the complete form of Wood, oranges and pomelos specialize in the fruit; within the fruit, they specialize in the peel; the peel has fine pores, resembling human skin, where meridians, flesh structure, fascia, seeds, and cores each have their belonging. Ju (Orange) harmonizes with Yu (矞), sharing the same meaning. Five colors in clouds are called Qing; three colors are called Fu. The green, yellow, and red hues in oranges resemble Fu patterns. Yu implies piercing, taking imagery from skin pores; and overflowing, taking imagery from Qi mechanisms. You (Pomelo) harmonizes with You (由), sharing the same meaning. The *Book of Documents* says: "Like a fallen tree producing new shoots." Xu Kai said: "An existing tree sprouting new branches symbolizes the shape of flowering branches." The Classics state: "Hanging branches and spreading leaves all curve downwards like hooks." And again: "In summer, [Qi] is in the skin, abundant in all things." Therefore, the power of oranges and pomelos can turn inward to ascend, ascend to exit, i.e., turn closure to opening. All these forms and signs follow the trend of humanity and closure, leading to epigastric masses with heat, failure of water and grain to diffuse, blockage of spirit, rebellious Qi, and foul odors. Directing Qi downward is the subtle function of the Jade Balance turning, exiting and then descending. The Classics say: "In autumn, [Qi] descends to the skin, hibernating insects prepare to leave." This is what is meant.
(In summer, [Qi] is in the skin, abundant in all things; in autumn, [Qi] descends to the skin, hibernating insects prepare to leave. This refers to the Qi mechanism turning inward to ascend, ascending to exit, and exiting to descend.)