✵The article provides records of the herb Dried Tangerine Peel, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, botanical sources—two plant species: (1) Citrus reticulata Blanco and (2) Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck—along with a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these two species; the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb Dried Tangerine Peel; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Chén Pí
English Name: Dried Tangerine Peel
Latin Name:Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Properties and flavors: warm, pungent, bitter
Brief Introduction:Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae is the dried ripe pericarp of Citrus reticulata Blanco and its cultivated varieties (family Rutaceae). It is used to regulate Qi, invigorate the spleen, dry dampness, and resolve phlegm—primarily for treating Qi stagnation in the spleen and stomach, and cough with profuse phlegm. The herb is commonly known as Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, Dried Tangerine Peel, or Chén Pí.
Botanical Source:Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Dried Tangerine Peel) is the dried ripe pericarp of Citrus reticulata Blanco and its cultivated varieties. These plants belong to the genus Citrus, family Rutaceae (rue or spurge olive family), order Sapindales. Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck is not a cultivated variety of C. reticulata but a distinct species; it is sometimes used as an alternative source in certain regional practices, though C. reticulata remains the primary and authoritative source. The two species commonly referenced are introduced below:
(1) Citrus reticulata Blanco
Botanical Description:Citrus reticulata Blanco is an evergreen small tree or shrub of the Rutaceae family and genus Citrus. It is commonly known as the mandarin orange tree or Jú. Mature specimens reach approximately 3–4 meters in height. Branches are slender and often bear thorns. Leaves are alternate; petioles measure 0.5–1.5 cm in length and possess narrow wings with apical glands. Leaf blades are lanceolate or elliptic, 4–11 cm long and 1.5–4 cm wide; the apex is acuminate and slightly emarginate (shallowly notched), the base is cuneate, margins are entire or undulate, with inconspicuous crenations and translucent oil glands.
Flowers are solitary or occur in clusters of 2–3 at branch tips or leaf axils. The calyx is cyathiform (cup-shaped) and 5-lobed. There are five white or faintly pink (rose-tinted) petals, reflexed upward during anthesis; each petal is typically less than 1.5 cm long. Stamens number 15–30, varying in length; 3–5 filaments are often fused into a group. There is one pistil; the ovary is globose, the style is slender, and the stigma is capitate.
Fruits are usually orbicular, oblate spheroid, or nearly spherical, with a transverse diameter of 4–7 cm. The pericarp is thin and loosely adherent, easily peelable. Fruits contain 7–12 segments; juice sacs are soft and succulent. Seeds are ovoid, white, with one pointed end; seed count ranges from several to dozens—or may be absent. Flowering occurs from March to April; fruiting extends from October to December.
Ecological Environment: This species grows naturally in hilly areas, lower mountain regions, and along riverbanks and lakeshores; it is also widely cultivated.
Growth Characteristics:Citrus reticulata Blanco prefers a warm, humid subtropical climate. It is cold-intolerant but slightly shade-tolerant. The minimum effective temperature for seedling development is 12.5 °C (54.5 °F); optimal growth occurs at 23–27 °C (73.4–80.6 °F). Growth ceases above 37 °C (98.6 °F), and freezing injury occurs below −5 °C (23 °F). Mean annual temperature in production areas exceeds 15 °C (59 °F); annual precipitation ranges from 1,000–2,000 mm. Soil moisture should be maintained at 60–80% of maximum water-holding capacity; relative humidity of ~75% is ideal. Light requirements for normal growth are 8,500–12,000 lux, tolerating up to 35,000 lux in summer. Cultivation is best conducted on sunny, elevated, well-drained fields with deep, neutral to slightly acidic sandy loam soil and good aeration.
Characteristics of the Herb: Dried Tangerine Peel: It is the dried pericarp of tangerines, Zhu tangerines, or Citrus reticulata. It is commonly peeled into several segments connected at the base; some pieces appear as irregular flakes, 1–4 mm thick. The outer surface is salmon-orange or reddish brown, bearing fine wrinkles and concave, punctiform oil glands. The inner surface is pale yellowish-white, coarse and uneven, with yellowish-white or yellowish-brown fascicular vascular bundles. The texture is slightly hard yet crisp. The herb possesses an aromatic fragrance and tastes pungent and bitter.
Guang tangerine peel: It is the peel of Citrus chachiensis Hort. ex Tan, Sihui orange, etc. Three segments are often connected, with a regular shape and uniform thickness, approximately 1 mm thick. The outer surface is orange-yellow to brown; the oil glands are large, transparent, and clearly visible under transmitted light. The herb has a soft texture.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) reduction of serum cholesterol; (2) antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and antimutagenic effects; (3) tracheal dilation and expectorant activity; (4) antiulcer effect; (5) choleretic effect; etc.
Medicinal Efficacy: Regulating Qi to strengthen the spleen; regulating Qi to suppress rebellious Qi; harmonizing the middle jiao and stimulating appetite; resolving dampness and transforming phlegm. It is indicated for chest distension and fullness; oppression and tightness in the chest and epigastrium; poor appetite accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; anorexia; damp retention due to Qi stagnation in the spleen and stomach; vomiting; dysuria and constipation; obstruction of lung Qi; and cough with copious phlegm. It is also indicated for the early stage of acute mastitis.
Administration of Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Chén Pí):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Chén Pí)
TCM Books:
(1).Internally: 3–9 grams; (2).Internally:water decoction, 3–10 grams; or prepared into pills or powders.
(2) Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck.
Botanical Description:Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck is an evergreen small tree of the Rutaceae family (rue or spurge olive family) and genus Citrus. It is commonly known as sweet orange or Tián Chéng. Mature trees reach 3–8 m in height. The crown is rounded and densely branched; young branches are glabrous, angular (with distinct edges and corners), and either spiny or spineless. Leaves are alternate and unifoliate; petioles measure 0.6–2 cm in length and bear narrow wings (2–3 mm wide) with apical glands. Leaf blades are thick, elliptic or ovoid, 6–12 cm long and 2.3–5.5 cm wide; the apex is mucronate or acuminate and slightly emarginate; the base is broadly cuneate or rounded; margins are undulate and entire—or exhibit inconspicuous undulate serrations; the surface bears translucent, glandular oil points.
Flowers occur singly or in clusters of several in leaf axils; they are white and pedicellate. The calyx is 3–5-lobed, with triangular lobes. There are five ligulate (strap-shaped) petals, ~1.5 cm long and ~7 mm wide, reflexed outward. Stamens number 19–28; filaments are partially fused at the base, forming 5–12 bundles. There is one pistil; the ovary is subglobose, with 10–13 locules; the stigma is capitate; styles are slender and persistent.
Fruits are oblate or subglobose, 6–9 cm in diameter, orange-yellow to salmon-orange (orange-red) in color. The pericarp is thick and tightly adherent, difficult to peel. Fruits contain 8–13 juice sacs (segments); the juice is yellow and sweet. Seeds are cuneate-ovate with a smooth surface. Flowering occurs in April; fruit ripening extends from November to December.
Ecological Environment: This species grows naturally in hilly areas, lower mountain regions, and along riverbanks and lakeshores; it is also widely cultivated.
Brief Introduction:Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride is the dried unripe exocarp of Citrus reticulata Blanco and its cultivated varieties (family Rutaceae). It is used to regulate Qi, soothe the liver, and resolve stagnation—primarily for treating liver Qi stagnation and food retention.
Green Tangerine Peel is the dried unripe exocarp of Citrus reticulata Blanco and its cultivated varieties. These plants belong to the genus Citrus, family Rutaceae (rue or spurge olive family), order Sapindales. Detailed botanical descriptions of these species are provided in the section “Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Dried Tangerine Peel)”.
Pharmacological Actions: Aqueous decoctions of Green Tangerine Peel inhibit intestinal and gallbladder smooth muscle contraction and exert a choleretic effect. Aqueous extracts and alcohol-precipitated fractions demonstrate significant pressor (blood pressure–elevating) activity and stimulate the respiratory center. Intravenous injection enhances myocardial excitability, contractility, conductivity, and automaticity. The volatile oil exerts mild stimulation on the gastrointestinal tract, promotes digestive juice secretion, and alleviates intestinal gas accumulation. Limonene—a major component of the volatile oil—exhibits expectorant and antiasthmatic effects. Additionally, the herb shows protective and therapeutic effects against experimentally induced shock caused by hemorrhage, trauma, transfusion, and other etiologies.
Medicinal Efficacy: Soothing the liver and relieving Qi stagnation; promoting digestion and resolving food retention; invigorating blood and dispelling stasis; resolving phlegm and dissipating nodules. It is indicated for fullness and pain in the chest and hypochondrium; distending pain in the hypochondrium due to liver Qi stagnation; epigastric pain caused by food retention and Qi stagnation; abdominal pain due to food retention; hernia and associated pain; breast distension and pain; mammary swelling; mastitis (including acute mastitis); abdominal masses or accumulations resulting from Qi stagnation and blood stasis; and chronic malaria with splenomegaly.
Administration of Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride (Qīng Pí):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride (Qīng Pí)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 3–9 grams; (2) Internally: water decoction, 1–3 qián (≈3–9 grams), or prepared into pills or powders; (3) Internally: water decoction, 3–10 grams, or prepared into pills or powders.
Semen Citri Reticulatae (Tangerine Seed)
Brief Introduction:Semen Citri Reticulatae is the dried ripe seed of Citrus reticulata Blanco and its cultivated varieties (family Rutaceae). It is used to regulate Qi, dissolve nodules, and alleviate pain—primarily for treating hernial pain, mammary nodules, and testicular swelling and pain.
Tangerine Seed is the dried ripe seed of Citrus reticulata Blanco and its cultivated varieties. These plants belong to the genus Citrus, family Rutaceae (rue or spurge olive family), order Sapindales. Detailed botanical descriptions are provided in the section “Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Dried Tangerine Peel)”.
Exocarpium Citri Rubrum (Red Tangerine Peel)
Brief Introduction:Exocarpium Citri Rubrum is the dried exocarp of Citrus reticulata Blanco and its cultivated varieties (family Rutaceae). Its actions are similar to those of Dried Tangerine Peel (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), but with greater potency.
Red Tangerine Peel is the dried exocarp of Citrus reticulata Blanco and its cultivated varieties. These plants belong to the genus Citrus, family Rutaceae (rue or spurge olive family), order Sapindales. Detailed botanical descriptions are provided in the section “Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Dried Tangerine Peel)”.
✵The article provides records of the herb Dried Tangerine Peel, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, botanical sources—two plant species: (1) Citrus reticulata Blanco and (2) Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck—along with a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these two species; the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb Dried Tangerine Peel; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Chén Pí
Botanical Description: Citrus reticulata Blanco is an evergreen small tree or shrub of the Rutaceae family and genus Citrus. It is commonly known as the mandarin orange tree or Jú. Mature specimens reach approximately 3–4 meters in height. Branches are slender and often bear thorns. Leaves are alternate; petioles measure 0.5–1.5 cm in length and possess narrow wings with apical glands. Leaf blades are lanceolate or elliptic, 4–11 cm long and 1.5–4 cm wide; the apex is acuminate and slightly emarginate (shallowly notched), the base is cuneate, margins are entire or undulate, with inconspicuous crenations and translucent oil glands.
Flowers are solitary or occur in clusters of 2–3 at branch tips or leaf axils. The calyx is cyathiform (cup-shaped) and 5-lobed. There are five white or faintly pink (rose-tinted) petals, reflexed upward during anthesis; each petal is typically less than 1.5 cm long. Stamens number 15–30, varying in length; 3–5 filaments are often fused into a group. There is one pistil; the ovary is globose, the style is slender, and the stigma is capitate.
Ecological Environment: This species grows naturally in hilly areas, lower mountain regions, and along riverbanks and lakeshores; it is also widely cultivated.
Characteristics of the Herb: Dried Tangerine Peel: It is the dried pericarp of tangerines, Zhu tangerines, or Citrus reticulata. It is commonly peeled into several segments connected at the base; some pieces appear as irregular flakes, 1–4 mm thick. The outer surface is salmon-orange or reddish brown, bearing fine wrinkles and concave, punctiform oil glands. The inner surface is pale yellowish-white, coarse and uneven, with yellowish-white or yellowish-brown fascicular vascular bundles. The texture is slightly hard yet crisp. The herb possesses an aromatic fragrance and tastes pungent and bitter.
Botanical Description: Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck is an evergreen small tree of the Rutaceae family (rue or spurge olive family) and genus Citrus. It is commonly known as sweet orange or Tián Chéng. Mature trees reach 3–8 m in height. The crown is rounded and densely branched; young branches are glabrous, angular (with distinct edges and corners), and either spiny or spineless. Leaves are alternate and unifoliate; petioles measure 0.6–2 cm in length and bear narrow wings (2–3 mm wide) with apical glands. Leaf blades are thick, elliptic or ovoid, 6–12 cm long and 2.3–5.5 cm wide; the apex is mucronate or acuminate and slightly emarginate; the base is broadly cuneate or rounded; margins are undulate and entire—or exhibit inconspicuous undulate serrations; the surface bears translucent, glandular oil points.
Ecological Environment: This species grows naturally in hilly areas, lower mountain regions, and along riverbanks and lakeshores; it is also widely cultivated.
Brief Introduction: Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride is the dried unripe exocarp of Citrus reticulata Blanco and its cultivated varieties (family Rutaceae). It is used to regulate Qi, soothe the liver, and resolve stagnation—primarily for treating liver Qi stagnation and food retention.
Brief Introduction: Semen Citri Reticulatae is the dried ripe seed of Citrus reticulata Blanco and its cultivated varieties (family Rutaceae). It is used to regulate Qi, dissolve nodules, and alleviate pain—primarily for treating hernial pain, mammary nodules, and testicular swelling and pain.
Brief Introduction: Exocarpium Citri Rubrum is the dried exocarp of Citrus reticulata Blanco and its cultivated varieties (family Rutaceae). Its actions are similar to those of Dried Tangerine Peel (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), but with greater potency.
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