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Citrus Peel (Jupi)

Pomelo Peel (Youpi)

Acrid, bitter, cold in nature. The flavor is intense, the nature is sinking, belonging to Yin, specifically Yang within Yin. Non-toxic. Grown throughout Zhejiang region, with Guangzhou producing the finest quality. Originally of the same species as Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel), this refers to the peel of fruits that have fallen before maturity. The skin is tight and thick, purely green in color, with the tip cracked like lotus petals. Remove the pulp and stem; the skin is thin, moistened with vinegar, and stir-fried until dry. *Tangye Jing* (Classic of Decoctions) states: Chenpi treats disorders in the upper body (high), while Qingpi (Green Tangerine Peel) treats disorders in the lower body (low); this is due to differences in their potency. It enters the Shaoyang Sanjiao (Triple Burner) and Gallbladder organs, and serves as a guiding herb for the Jueyin Liver meridian. It resolves hard accumulations in the lower abdomen and is indispensable for warm malaria with intense heat; (When malaria with intense heat persists for a long time without resolution, it inevitably forms mass-like accumulations, commonly known as "Malaria Mother" (Nuomu). It is advisable to take Qingpi Tang (Clear Spleen Decoction) frequently; it contains Qingpi to soothe and regulate Liver pathogenic factors, thereby preventing the formation of masses.) It breaks up stagnant Qi under the left hypochondrium and must be administered for severe pain caused by depression and anger. It arrests hernia, soothes the Liver, promotes digestion, and relaxes the Stomach. Do not overuse after the illness has resolved, lest it damage true Qi; special caution is required for the elderly, weak, and emaciated individuals, who should strictly avoid it. Near winter, when they turn red and ripe, the skin is thin with fine lines. Newly harvested ones are named Juhong (Fresh Tangerine Peel), with milder aroma and flavor, suitable for those with deficient Stomach Qi; those stored for a long time are named Chenpi, with pungent and strong aroma and flavor, excellent for consumption by those with phlegm-dampness and Qi stagnation. Li Dongyuan further stated: Retaining the white albedo tonifies the Stomach and harmonizes the Middle Jiao; removing it eliminates phlegm and relieves stagnation. Although their indications differ, they should not be used singly. As the sovereign herb paired with Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), it benefits the Spleen; used alone, it damages the Spleen; as an assistant herb paired with Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), it tonifies the Lung; otherwise, it drains the Lung. Combined with Zhuru (Bambusae Caulis in Recens), it treats hiccups due to heat; combined with Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), it treats hiccups due to cold. It stops jiaoxi chongxin (foot qi rushing to the heart), removes retained heat in the Bladder. It promotes urination, treats the five types of lin syndrome (dysuria), resolves alcohol toxicity, and expels tapeworms (Cestoda). The seeds ground into powder and taken with pure wine are a divine elixir for driving away lower back pain and hernia pain; the leaves guide the medicine to the Liver meridian to move Liver Qi and are a sacred remedy for dispersing mastitis and hypochondriac abscesses. The fibrous membrane on the orange sac, lightly stir-fried, is decocted urgently to treat thirst following drunken vomiting. Eating too much flesh generates phlegm; eating too much pulp causes Qi rebellion. Although both can quench thirst, neither is sufficient to benefit the person. Another variety called Rugan (Milk Citron) has fruits round and larger than tangerines. The skin is rough and thick, colored red and yellow. After frost, it becomes very sweet; before frost, it is sour, hence the name Ganzi (Citron). Its skin is not suitable for medicinal use; its flesh is only good for resolving alcohol toxicity. Excessive consumption causes internal cold, leading to diarrhea and dysentery. Citron peel is not very bitter; tangerine peel is extremely bitter, remaining bitter even when fully ripe.

(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: Qingpi and Chenpi are from the same plant; Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange) and Zhike (Ripe Bitter Orange) are from the same plant. They are named according to age based on early or late harvesting. The young ones have a fierce nature and treat lower disorders, similar to Qingpi and Zhishi; the old ones have a mild nature and treat upper disorders, identical to Chenpi and Zhike. The main indications for these four drugs focus on guiding stagnation and dissipating痞 (fullness/masses). Although they act on different levels (high and low), their Qi-draining function is the same. Long-term single use damages true Yuan Qi; therefore, they must be paired with sweet-tonifying herbs as the sovereign, with minor assistants, so that tonification includes draining and draining includes tonification, thus avoiding imbalance. The details for Chenpi have been thoroughly explained under its entry; although I have not spoken further of the others, understanding one corner allows one to infer the other three.