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[Qingpi (Green Tangerine Peel)]
Taste: bitter, sour. Nature: warm. Non-toxic. Meridian tropism: Liver, Spleen. It primarily breaks stagnant Qi; the more it is used, the more effective it becomes. It reduces hard accumulations; the stronger its purgative action, the better the therapeutic outcome. It guides other herbs to the Jueyin (Liver/Pericardium) level, assists food and drink in entering the Taiyin (Spleen) storage, eliminates heat-induced nodular roots in warm malaria, stops pain in the left hypochondrium caused by depression and anger. The fleshy part should be slightly stir-fried before use.

Commentary: Qingpi is the peel of immature citrus fruits. Sourness can drain water-dampness, making it suitable for traversing the Liver meridian; warmth can assist Yang, making it suitable for returning to the Spleen region. Its nature is harsh and reducing; excessive use damages Spleen Qi, leading to physical weakness and emaciation.

[Zhiqiao (Aurantium Fructus Immaturus - Shell)]
Taste: pungent, bitter, sour. Nature: slightly cold. Non-toxic. Meridian tropism: Lung, Liver, Stomach, Large Intestine. It primarily descends the high-lying Qi in the chest, eliminates phlegm causing epigastric fullness and obstruction, drains stagnant Qi in the abdomen, removes overnight retained food in the Stomach, reduces year-long accumulations within the abdomen, unblocks disorders of the skin, hair, and thoracic diaphragm, disperses wind-induced itching and numbness, unblocks constipation of the Large Intestine, stops cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea, treats intestinal wind (hematochezia), attacks hemorrhoids, eliminates edema, and removes wind-pain. The pith and seeds should be removed, and it should be stir-fried with bran; aged specimens are superior.

Commentary: The pungent quality of Zhiqiao enters the Lung meridian, and the sour quality enters the Liver meridian. Since the Large Intestine is the Fu organ of the Lung, and the Stomach is the Fu organ of the Upper Jiao, it enters these meridians. Scraping off the lower layer of the peel (Zhiru) makes its effect more rapid.

Leigong stated: When using, do not employ Zhishi, as their nature and effects differ. If using Zhiqiao, utilize its pungent, bitter, and sour qualities, which contain oils capable of eliminating all types of fixed masses (Pike). Specimens that are aged and old are best. Before use, remove the pith, stir-fry with bran until the bran turns dark brown/black, remove from heat, wipe off the charred bran with a cloth, and then grind into powder.

[Zhishi (Aurantium Fructus Immaturus - Fruit)]
Taste: bitter, sour. Nature: slightly cold. Non-toxic. Meridian tropism: Heart, Spleen. It primarily eliminates fullness and accumulation in the chest, drives away retained water beneath the heart, transforms thick phlegm formed over long periods, reduces hard accumulations formed over many years, eliminates abdominal distension, digests retained food, calms wheezing and cough, and directs rebellious Qi downward. Stir-fried with bran before use.

Commentary: Zhishi is the smaller version of Zhiqiao. Bitterness suits the Heart; since the Spleen is the "child" organ of the Heart (in Five Element theory), it enters both meridians. Its nature is fierce and potent, possessing the power to break through walls and topple battlements; those with weak Qi must avoid it. Research shows that Qingpi and Chenpi come from the same species, and Zhiqiao and Zhishi come from the same species; they are named differently based on whether they are harvested early or late, and whether they are young or mature. The therapeutic functions of these four items all rely on guiding stagnation, but there is a distinction: the young ones (Qingpi, Zhishi) have a harsh nature and treat lower-level disorders, while the mature ones (Chenpi, Zhiqiao) have a milder nature and treat upper-level disorders.