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Tangerine Peel (Chenpi)

Enters the Spleen and Stomach to harmonize the middle. Its drying property can eliminate phlegm and regulate Qi stagnation. Bitter and pungent in flavor, it disperses rebellious Qi. Warm in nature, it relieves chest fullness and dispels cold coagulation. Retaining the white albedo promotes dissemination and tonification of the Middle Jiao; removing the white albedo facilitates circulation into the Lung system. The seeds enter the Liver channel to treat hernia, being quite effective in regulating cold stagnation. The leaves treat breast abscesses and reduce swelling; bitter and neutral in flavor, they are non-toxic. The vascular bundles can unblock collaterals, used for their sweet and cold properties; the pulp tends to generate phlegm due to its sour and cold nature. (There are many varieties of tangerine peel, with those produced in Guangzhou being the finest. Aged peel is superior. It is bitter and pungent, warm in nature, fragrant in odor, and dry in texture. It enters the Qi aspect of the Spleen and Stomach, drying dampness and regulating Qi, dispersing rebellion and harmonizing the middle. Combined with tonifying herbs, it tonifies; combined with exterior-releasing herbs, it releases the exterior; combined with purgative herbs, it purges. Stir-frying with salt water is highly effective for treating phlegm, as it dries dampness and regulates Qi, addressing the root of phlegm. ○ The white albedo is obtained by removing the outer red peel. Its flavor is slightly sweet. Although its efficacy is inferior to that of the main peel, using it in formulas for tonifying the Spleen and Stomach avoids the adverse effect of excessive drying and dispersing. ○ Jinghong (red peel) has all internal white parts removed, possessing a light and floating quality, thus entering the Lungs, with similar indications. ○ Tangerine seeds are bitter and warm, green in color entering the Liver, shaped like testicles, thus capable of treating all types of hernia caused by cold. Used to disseminate and scatter, they also belong to Qi-regulating herbs. ○ Tangerine leaves are bitter, neutral, and fragrant, light and ascending, entering the Liver and Stomach channels. They disseminate rebellious Qi in the chest and diaphragm, reduce swelling, and dissipate toxicity. They can be used for all breast conditions in women. ○ Tangerine vascular bundles are sweet and cold, entering the collaterals. Their efficacy is modest, perhaps clearing residual heat within the collaterals. ○ Tangerine pulp is cold in nature. Sweet pulp can moisten the Lungs, while sour pulp generates phlegm. The same substance exhibits different properties and indications; how can one fail to examine this carefully?)

Green Tangerine Peel (Qingpi)

Enters the Liver channel to break stagnation and reduce hardness. Pungency induces sweating, treating hernia, warding off cold, and regulating Qi. Bitterness dissepathes pathogens, venting Liver Qi in the Lower Jiao, and resolving stagnant phlegm in the chest and hypochondrium. Its nature and flavor are similar to tangerine peel. Stir-frying or decocting with vinegar and water is optimal. (Green tangerine peel comes from immature fruit. It is green in color with a strong aroma, bitter and pungent in flavor, and warm and dry in nature. It enters the Qi aspect of the Liver and Gallbladder, inducing sweating and dispelling cold, moving Qi and breaking accumulation. In robust young individuals with vigorous Qi, it is suitable for all conditions involving hernia, phlegm stagnation, and accumulations belonging to the Liver and Gallbladder. Stir-frying with vinegar moderates and astringes, restraining its vigorous nature and guiding the herb into the Liver.)