Use of Chen Pi (tangerine peel) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Remove impurities, spray water, shred and dry.
Dosage: 3 - 9 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Chen Pi may be prescribed by TCM doctors*:
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Coughing
Phlegm
Abdominal bloating
Contraindications*: Should not be used when there is cough with Yin or Qi Deficiency; this could manifest as Dry cough or coughing blood. It should also be avoided when there is sticky yellow phlegm.
Common TCM formulas in which Chen Pi is used*
Chen Pi is a king ingredient in Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang, Chen Pi harmonizes the Stomach and stops hiccup
Read more about Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang
Chen Pi is a deputy ingredient in Liu Jun Zi Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Liu Jun Zi Tang, Chen Pi is a drying herb that directs the Qi downward and helps remove obstruction in the Middle Burner by Phlegm-Dampness. This is characterized by Rebellious Qi of the Stomach and Lungs with symptoms like nausea, vomiting (for the stomach part) and coughing sputum (for the Lungs).
Read more about Liu Jun Zi Tang
Chen Pi is a deputy ingredient in Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang, Chen Pi revives the Spleen and facilitates the flow of Qi in the Middle Burner. Its acrid flavor disperses Stagnated Qi while its bitter warmth disperses Cold and dries Dampness. By removing the obstruction to the flow of Qi, the functions of the Spleen and Stomach are assisted. By dispelling Cold Dampness, Phlegm is eliminated. The restored movement of Qi induced by Chen Pi promotes the spontaneous resolution of phlegm.
Read more about Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang
Chen Pi is a deputy ingredient in Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, Chen Pi regulates the Qi, transforms Dampness, and harmonizes the functions of the Middle Burner.
Read more about Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
Chen Pi is a deputy ingredient in Shi Shen Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Shi Shen Tang, Chen Pi assists the key herb in circulating Qi and transforming Dampness.
Read more about Shi Shen Tang
Chen Pi is a deputy ingredient in Tong Xie Yao Fang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Tong Xie Yao Fang, Chen Pi is aromatic. It helps in harmonizing the functions of the Middle Burner and transforms Dampness.
It also helps Atractylodes rhizome strengthening the Spleen and eliminating Dampness.
Read more about Tong Xie Yao Fang
Chen Pi is a deputy ingredient in An Tai Zhu Gao. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In An Tai Zhu Gao, Chen Pi warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi.
Read more about An Tai Zhu Gao
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, Chen Pi facilitates the digestion of the formula's tonifying herbs and therefore increases their effectiveness.
Read more about Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Chai Hu Shu Gan San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Chai Hu Shu Gan San, Chen Pi works together with Bitter orange seeds , another assistant, to regulate the Qi of the Stomach and the Intestines. Also they together direct Qi downward to help remove the excess buildup of it in the chest and th Middle Burner (what creates the symptoms of distention and a sensation of fullness).
Read more about Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Xing Su San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Xing Su San, Chen Pi , together with the 2 other assistants in this formula (Poria-cocos mushrooms and Crow-dipper rhizome), addresses the problem of thin mucus that patients suffer from in the patterns treated by this formula. To do so, the three herbs regulate the Qi of the Middle Burner, which in turn helps transform the Phlegm.
Read more about Xing Su San
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang, Chen Pi regulates the Qi by directing excessive Qi downward, transforming and eliminating Phlegm.
Read more about Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Wen Dan Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Wen Dan Tang, Chen Pi dries Dampness and expels Phlegm while regulating the Qi and harmonizes its circulation in the Stomach.
Read more about Wen Dan Tang
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
Read more about Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Wu Pi Yin. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
Read more about Wu Pi Yin
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang, Chen Pi is acrid and warming. It enters the Lungs and Spleen to move the Qi and harmonize the Stomach, preventing the cloying characteristics of the tonifying herbs from obstructing the Qi movement.
Read more about Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Wan Dai Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Wan Dai Tang, Chen Pi moves and regulates the Spleen Qi to ensure that the tonifying function will not cause Stagnation.
Read more about Wan Dai Tang
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Ping Wei San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Ping Wei San, Chen Pi regulates the Qi and harmonizes the Stomach. It assists the deputy in directing Rebellious Qi downward and eliminating distention.
Read more about Ping Wei San
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang, Chen Pi dries Dampness and expels Phlegm while regulating the Qi and harmonizes its circulation in the Stomach.
Read more about Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang, Chen Pi transforms Phlegm and regulates Qi.
Read more about Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Bao He Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Bao He Wan, Chen Pi promotes the movement of Qi and transform stagnation, thereby harmonizing the Stomach to stop the nausea and vomiting
Read more about Bao He Wan
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang, Chen Pi dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. It also reduces the chance of Stagnation due to tonifying herbs.
Read more about Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Wei Ling Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Wei Ling Tang, Chen Pi regulates the Qi and harmonizes the Stomach. It assists the deputy in directing Rebellious Qi downward and eliminating distention.
Read more about Wei Ling Tang
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Jia Wei Xiang Su San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Jia Wei Xiang Su San, Chen Pi regulates and ascends Qi. It also dries Dampness.
Read more about Jia Wei Xiang Su San
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Wu Ren Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Wu Ren Wan, Chen Pi has the ability to move Qi and unblock the Intestines. It transforms the moistening action of the five seeds into bowel movement. It is used in a high dosage and functions as the assistant.
Read more about Wu Ren Wan
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Zhou Che Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Zhou Che Wan, Chen Pi promotes Qi circulation so as to supports the key and deputy ingredients. It also promotes movement of the Lung and Spleen Qi, helping to smooth Qi circulation in the diaphragmatic and thoracic regions.
Read more about Zhou Che Wan
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Jie Nue Qi Bao Yin. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Jie Nue Qi Bao Yin, Chen Pi regulates the Spleen and moves the Qi.
Read more about Jie Nue Qi Bao Yin
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Sheng Tie Luo Yin. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Sheng Tie Luo Yin, Chen Pi treats Phlegm at its source by improving the function of the Spleen and Qi.
Read more about Sheng Tie Luo Yin
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Hui Chun Dan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Hui Chun Dan, Chen Pi harmonizes the Stomach, transform Phlegm, direct Rebellious Qi downward, and stop vomiting.
Read more about Hui Chun Dan
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Zhi Sou San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Zhi Sou San, Chen Pi regulates the Qi to transform Phlegm.
Read more about Zhi Sou San
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Wu Ji San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Wu Ji San, Chen Pi strengthens the Spleen and transform Phlegm.
Read more about Wu Ji San
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang, Chen Pi is a drying herb that directs the Qi downward and helps remove obstruction in the Middle Burner by Phlegm-Dampness. This is characterized by Rebellious Qi of the Stomach and Lungs with symptoms like nausea, vomiting (for the stomach part) and coughing sputum (for the Lungs).
Read more about Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Key TCM concepts behind Chen Pi's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Chen Pi belongs to the 'Herbs that regulate Qi' category. Herbs in this category typically treat a TCM condition called 'Qi Stagnation'. Concretely it means that Qi is blocked in the body's Organs and Meridians, most typically the Stomach, Liver, and to a lesser extent, the Lungs. In modern medicine terms, Qi Stagnation often translates into psychological consequences such as depression, irritability or mood swings. It's also frequently associated with conditions such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopausal symptoms, the development of breast swellings as well as various digestive disorders.
Furthermore Chen Pi is Warm in nature. This means that Chen Pi tends to help people who have too much 'Cold' in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Hot in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Cold in their body are said to either have a Yin Excess (because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang Deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature). Depending on your condition Chen Pi can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Chen Pi also tastes Bitter and Pungent. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Bitter ingredients like Chen Pi tends to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements. On the other hand Pungent ingredients tend to promote the circulations of Qi and Body Fluids. That's why for instance someone tends to sweat a lot when they eat spicy/pungent food.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Chen Pi is thought to target the Lung and the Spleen. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body. The Spleen on the other hand assists with digestion, Blood coagulation and Fluids metabolism in the body.
Research on Chen Pi
Treatment by Chinese medicine consisting of Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae to promote blood circulation get a favorable result.1
Sources:
1. Xu RS, Zong XH, Li XG. (2009). Controlled clinical trials of therapeutic effects of Chinese herbs promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis on the treatment of reflex sympathetic dystrophy with type of stagnation of vital energy and blood stasis. Zhongguo Gu Shang, 22(12):920-2.
Use of Chen Pi as food
Chen Pi is also eaten as food. It is used as an ingredient in dishes such as Tangerine Creme Brulee.
