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Taste and nature: Pungent, warm, non-toxic. It treats various diseases, nourishes the spirit (Shen), harmonizes the complexion, and serves as a guiding agent (Yin Jing Shi) for other herbs. Long-term use makes the body light and delays aging, giving the face a radiant glow and a youthful appearance like that of a child.

Chen Xiuyuan states: Its properties and functions are similar to Rou Gui (Cortex Cinnamomi Cassiae). "Nourishing the spirit" refers to its ability to unblock the Zang-Fu organs internally. "Harmonizing the complexion" refers to its ability to promote blood circulation externally. Serving as a "guiding agent" means its pungent aroma can disperse and reach the meridians, thus treating myriad diseases. There is a distinction in weight and position between it and Rou Gui; when Yin pathogenic factors are abundant and reject medicinal substances, only this herb can penetrate.

Taste and nature: Bitter, pungent, warm, non-toxic. It treats stagnation masses (Jia), heat, and rebellious Qi in the chest, and facilitates the digestion of water and grain. Long-term use eliminates bad breath, descends Qi, and unblocks the spirit.

Chen Xiuyuan states: The warm nature of Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) inherits the Qi of Spring and enters the Liver; its bitter taste enters the Heart; its pungent taste enters the Lung. The chest is the domain of the Lung; because it enters the Lung, it treats stagnation masses, heat, and rebellious Qi in the chest. Dispersing and draining is the specialty of the Liver; because it enters the Liver, it facilitates the transformation and transportation of water and grain. The Heart is the Sovereign Official; because it enters the Heart, the Minister Fire becomes bright, and turbid Yin foul odors naturally dissipate. Furthermore, investigating why its efficacy is so miraculous, it is all due to its function of descending Qi. Summarizing these three points, ancient people often misunderstood them.

He also says: The fascia of Chen Pi resembles meridians, the skin resembles muscles, and the pores resemble hair follicles. Wind-cold coughs in humans are not outside the Lung Meridian; the Lung governs the skin and hair. When wind pathogens attack humans, they first affect the skin and hair, then enter the meridians and gradually deepen. Treatment uses the bitterness of Chen Pi to descend Qi and the pungency to disperse; allowing the pathogen to exit from the large collaterals of the Spleen and Stomach, turning outward to the exterior of muscles and pores, and resolving slightly through sweating. If the fascia is removed and only the outer peel remains, it is named Ju Hong (Exocarpium Citri Reticulatae Rubrum), intending to release the muscle layer and stop coughing. However, one does not know that sweat originates from within and moves outward; how can it leave the muscles and meridians to go directly to the exterior? Lei Xiao advocated separating the white pith from the red peel, and Li Dongyan followed this, which shows a profound lack of understanding! As for making sauce from Chen Pi, it is even more ignorant and baseless. Investigating its preparation method: Chen Pi is boiled in water three times until extremely soft, chewed without any pungent or bitter taste, dried, and then soaked multiple times in a concentrated decoction of Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), Mai Dong (Rhizoma Ophiopogonis), Qing Yan (Halitum), Wu Mei (Fructus Mume), Yuan Ming Fen (Natrii Sulfas), and Peng Sha (Borax), until the liquid dries up. Then, Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng) and Bei Mu (Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae) are ground into powder, mixed evenly, stored for several months, and then used. It is claimed to resolve phlegm, treat cough, regulate Qi, stop thirst, and generate fluids. Yet, this completely loses the function of Chen Pi. The brilliance of Chen Pi in treating cough lies in using pungency to disperse it; now, the astringency of Wu Mei disrupts this. The brilliance of Chen Pi in regulating Qi lies in using bitterness to descend it; now, the sweetness of Mai Dong, Ren Shen, and Gan Cao obstructs and disrupts this. The brilliance of Chen Pi lies in its warm and dry nature, enabling it to resolve phlegm and relieve distension; now, the salty and cold nature of Mai Dong, Bei Mu, Yuan Ming Fen, Peng Sha, and Qing Yan disrupts this. I ask, where is the true nature of Chen Pi? I have investigated why common people like to take it: generally, upon entering the mouth, the sweet and sour flavors cause saliva generation; the salty and cold nature temporarily resolves hard phlegm; appearing effective for a short time, they pass it on, but many suffer hidden harm. Processed Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) also uses this substance for soaking and processing, covered with yellow mold for storage; the harm caused is identical.