Herb Seed (种子 zhǒng zǐ / 子 zǐ / 仁 rén)

Ju He

Tangerine seed · 橘核

Citrus reticulata Blanco · Semen Citri Reticulatae

Also known as: Tangerine pip, Citrus seed, Mandarin seed,

Ju He (Tangerine seed) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Tangerine seed is the dried seed of the common mandarin orange, used in Chinese medicine primarily to relieve pain and reduce swelling caused by Qi stagnation along the Liver channel. It is best known for treating hernia pain, testicular swelling, and breast lumps. First recorded in the Rì Huá Zǐ Běn Cǎo during the Five Dynasties period, it has been a go-to herb for hernia-related conditions ever since.

Category Qi-regulating herbs (理气药)
Therapeutic focus Hernia Support Breast Health Testicular Health Lower Abdominal Pain Relief

TCM Properties

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels entered

Liver, Kidneys

Parts used

Seed (种子 zhǒng zǐ / 子 zǐ / 仁 rén)

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What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Ju He does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Ju He is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Hernia Support Breast Health Testicular Health Lower Abdominal Pain Relief

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Ju He performs to restore balance in the body:

Moves Qi Dissipates Nodules and Softens Hardness Alleviates Pain

How these actions work

'Regulates Qi' (理气) means Jú Hé helps move stagnant Qi, particularly in the Liver channel. The Liver channel wraps around the genitals and passes through the lower abdomen and breast area. When Liver Qi becomes stuck, it can cause swelling and pain in these regions. Jú Hé's bitter flavour has a natural descending and dispersing quality that helps unblock this stagnation, relieving distension and discomfort in the lower abdomen, groin, and chest.

'Dissipates nodules and softens hardness' (散结) means this herb can help break up lumps and masses that form when Qi stagnation persists. In TCM, when Qi stays stuck for a long time, it can condense into physical lumps or swellings. This is why Jú Hé is used for conditions like breast lumps, testicular swelling, and hardened masses in the lower abdomen. It works by restoring the smooth flow of Qi so that accumulated tissue can gradually soften and disperse.

'Alleviates pain' (止痛) refers to Jú Hé's ability to relieve pain caused by Qi stagnation, especially along the Liver channel pathway. This makes it particularly useful for hernial pain (sharp or dragging pain in the groin and lower belly), testicular pain, and breast tenderness. Pain relief comes as a natural consequence of moving the stuck Qi that was causing the discomfort in the first place.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Ju He is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Ju He addresses this pattern

Cold Stagnation in the Liver Channel occurs when cold pathogenic factors invade and obstruct the Liver channel, which encircles the external genitalia and traverses the lower abdomen. This causes Qi and Blood to congeal, producing sharp pain, swelling, and a dragging sensation in the groin and scrotum. Jú Hé enters the Liver channel and regulates Qi flow, helping to disperse the stagnation. Its bitter taste has a descending quality that directs its action downward to the lower abdomen and genitals where this pattern manifests. While Jú Hé itself is neutral in temperature rather than warming, it is typically combined with warm herbs like Xiǎo Huí Xiāng or Ròu Guì to address the cold component.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Hernia

Inguinal hernia with pain radiating to the lower abdomen

Testicular Pain

Testicular swelling, hardness, or dragging pain

Lower Abdominal Pain

Cold sensation in the lower abdomen and groin

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Ju He is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Cold Stagnation in the Liver Channel

TCM Interpretation

TCM understands inguinal hernia (called shàn qì 疝气) as a condition rooted in the Liver channel. The foot Jue Yin Liver channel passes through the groin and wraps around the external genitalia. When cold and dampness invade this channel, or when emotional stress causes Liver Qi to stagnate, Qi becomes blocked in the lower abdomen and groin. This stagnation causes tissues to swell, bulge, or prolapse. The resulting pain, often described as dragging or pulling, radiates from the groin upward toward the navel. The condition tends to worsen with cold exposure, physical exertion, or emotional upset, all of which further obstruct Qi flow.

Why Ju He Helps

Jú Hé enters the Liver channel and has a strong Qi-regulating action that targets the lower abdomen and groin, precisely where hernia symptoms manifest. Its bitter flavour descends and disperses stagnant Qi, relieving the distension and pain. Its nodule-dissipating action addresses the hard, swollen tissue. When salt-processed to enhance its downward-directing action into the Kidney channel, it becomes even more targeted for lower body conditions. In the classical formula Jú Hé Wán from the Jì Shēng Fāng, it serves as the lead herb combined with other Qi-movers and Blood-activators to comprehensively treat hernia.

Also commonly used for

Testicular Pain

Orchitis, epididymitis, testicular swelling and pain

Mastitis

Acute mastitis, especially early stage before abscess formation

Lower Back Pain

Lumbago associated with Kidney cold and Qi stagnation

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels Entered

Liver Kidneys

Parts Used

Seed (种子 zhǒng zǐ / 子 zǐ / 仁 rén)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Ju He — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

3–9g

Maximum dosage

Up to 15g in acute cases of hernia or testicular swelling, under practitioner supervision. Some historical sources mention higher doses for external application as poultices for mastitis.

Dosage notes

The standard dose of 3 to 9g applies to decoction use. For hernia and testicular swelling, the salt-processed form (Yan Ju He) is preferred, as salt processing is considered to enhance its ability to enter the Kidney channel and direct the herb's action downward to the lower body. Seeds should always be crushed (dao sui) before decocting to release the active constituents from the hard seed coat. When used in pill or powder form, a typical single dose is around 1 to 3g taken two to three times daily. For early-stage mastitis, historical sources suggest using approximately 15g (five qian) of lightly dry-fried seeds decocted in rice wine.

Preparation

Seeds must be crushed (捣碎, dao sui) before decocting, as the hard outer shell prevents extraction of active compounds if left whole. Traditionally, Li Shizhen advised removing the outer shell and using the inner kernel, roasted until fragrant on new roof tiles. The salt-processed form (Yan Ju He) is the most commonly used clinical preparation.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same herb can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Ju He does

Processing method

Clean tangerine seeds are mixed with salt water (2 kg salt per 100 kg seeds, dissolved in boiling water), allowed to absorb the liquid, then stir-fried over gentle heat until lightly yellow with a fragrant aroma. Crushed before use.

How it changes properties

Salt processing does not significantly change the herb's temperature, taste, or channel entry, but it enhances the herb's downward-directing action, guiding it more strongly into the Kidney channel and lower body. This strengthens Jú Hé's ability to treat hernia and testicular pain. The salt-processing also moderately enhances the herb's analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects according to modern pharmacological studies.

When to use this form

The salt-processed form is the standard clinical choice for treating hernia, testicular swelling and pain, and other lower abdominal conditions. It is the most commonly used form in modern practice, as Jú Hé is now used almost exclusively for lower body conditions. The raw form is preferred only when treating breast lumps or early-stage mastitis, where a downward-directing action is not needed.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Ju He for enhanced therapeutic effect

Li Zhi He
Li Zhi He 1:1 (both typically 9-15g)

Jú Hé and Lì Zhī Hé (lychee seed) both enter the Liver channel and regulate Qi, but through complementary mechanisms. Jú Hé focuses on moving Qi and dissipating nodules, while Lì Zhī Hé excels at entering the blood level of the Liver channel to warm and disperse cold stagnation. Together they powerfully relieve pain, reduce swelling, and break up masses along the entire Liver channel pathway.

When to use: Inguinal hernia with testicular swelling and pain, lower abdominal masses, breast nodules and premenstrual breast pain, dysmenorrhea due to cold stagnation in the Liver channel.

Xiao Hui Xiang
Xiao Hui Xiang 1:1 (both typically 6-10g)

Jú Hé regulates Liver Qi and dissipates nodules, while Xiǎo Huí Xiāng (fennel seed) is warm and aromatic, powerfully warming the Liver channel and dispersing cold. The combination addresses both the Qi stagnation and the cold that together cause hernia pain. Xiǎo Huí Xiāng provides the warming force that Jú Hé's neutral temperature lacks.

When to use: Cold-type hernia with testicular pain that worsens in cold weather, scrotal retraction or heaviness, lower abdominal cramping aggravated by cold.

Chuan Lian Zi
Chuan Lian Zi 1:1 (both typically 6-10g)

Both herbs move Liver Qi and alleviate pain, but Chuān Liàn Zǐ (Sichuan chinaberry fruit) is bitter and cold, making the pair effective across a broader range of presentations. Jú Hé handles Qi stagnation with its neutral, descending nature, while Chuān Liàn Zǐ adds Liver Heat-clearing ability. Together they regulate Qi and relieve pain regardless of whether the underlying condition is cold, hot, or mixed.

When to use: Hernia pain, lower abdominal pain, epigastric pain due to Liver Qi stagnation, particularly when the presentation has both cold and hot elements or when heat signs are present.

Du Zhong
Du Zhong 1:1 (both typically 10-15g, dry-fried and ground to powder)

Jú Hé regulates Qi in the Liver and Kidney channels while Dù Zhòng (eucommia bark) tonifies the Kidneys and strengthens the lower back. Together they address lower back pain that involves both Kidney deficiency and Qi stagnation, a combination that neither herb handles well alone.

When to use: Lower back pain due to Kidney deficiency complicated by Qi stagnation in the lower back region. A classical pairing recorded in the Jiǎn Biàn Dān Fāng (Simple Formulas).

Key Formulas

These well-known formulas feature Ju He in a prominent role

Ju He Wan 橘核丸 King

The definitive formula for Jú Hé. From the Jì Shēng Fāng by Yán Yòng Hé (Song dynasty), this formula treats hernia with testicular swelling and pain due to cold-dampness obstructing the Liver channel. Jú Hé serves as the King herb at the highest dose (30g), directly showcasing its core actions of regulating Qi, dissipating nodules, and alleviating pain in the lower abdomen and groin.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Li Zhi He
Ju He vs Li Zhi He

Both enter the Liver channel, regulate Qi, and treat hernia and testicular pain. However, Lì Zhī Hé is warm and excels at warming the Liver channel and dispersing cold, making it better suited for clearly cold-type presentations. Jú Hé is neutral in temperature and has a stronger nodule-dissipating action, making it preferable when there are palpable lumps or masses (such as breast nodules) rather than purely cold-induced pain. They are frequently used together.

Chuan Lian Zi
Ju He vs Chuan Lian Zi

Both move Liver Qi and alleviate pain, and they are often paired together. The critical difference is temperature: Chuān Liàn Zǐ is bitter and cold, making it appropriate for Liver Qi stagnation with heat signs (irritability, bitter taste, red tongue). Jú Hé is neutral and has a stronger nodule-softening action, making it better for masses and swellings. Chuān Liàn Zǐ is also mildly toxic and should not be used long-term, while Jú Hé has no significant toxicity.

Qing Pi
Ju He vs Qing Pi

Lǐ Shízhēn noted in the Běn Cǎo Gāng Mù that Jú Hé and Qīng Pí (green tangerine peel) share similar functions since both enter the Liver channel and regulate Qi. However, Qīng Pí is more dispersing and has a stronger Qi-breaking action, better suited for severe Liver Qi constraint with flank pain and breast distension. Jú Hé has a more targeted action on the lower abdomen and genitals and a unique nodule-dissipating ability that Qīng Pí lacks, making Jú Hé the better choice for hernia, testicular pain, and palpable masses.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Ju He

Ju He (tangerine seeds from Citrus reticulata) should be distinguished from the seeds of other citrus species that may be substituted. Cheng He (橙核, seeds of sweet orange, Citrus sinensis) are larger and coarser. Gou Ju He (枸橘核, seeds of trifoliate orange, Poncirus trifoliata) are from a different species with distinct properties. Jin Ju He (金橘核, kumquat seeds from Fortunella spp.) are sometimes used as substitutes but are a separate medicinal substance. The Ben Cao Feng Yuan specifically notes that 'fine ones are Ju He, coarse ones are actually Cheng He (orange seeds),' indicating that this confusion is long-standing. Authentic Ju He should be small (under 1.2 cm), with a smooth pale surface and bitter taste.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Ju He

Non-toxic

Ju He is classified as non-toxic in the Ben Cao Gang Mu and Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It contains limonoids (limonin, obacunone, nomilin), flavonoids, coumarins, and fatty oils, none of which are considered toxic at standard medicinal doses. The primary safety concern is not toxicity but rather its strongly bitter taste, which can damage Stomach and Spleen function with excessive or prolonged use, leading to poor appetite and digestive discomfort.

Contraindications

Situations where Ju He should not be used or requires extra caution

Caution

Deficiency conditions (xu zheng): Ju He is only appropriate for excess-type patterns. Its bitter taste can significantly damage the Stomach's harmonious Qi, making it unsuitable for people with Spleen or Stomach deficiency.

Caution

Prolonged use: the bitter nature of this herb can injure the middle Qi (Spleen and Stomach function) over time. It should not be taken for extended periods without practitioner guidance.

Caution

Yin deficiency with Heat signs: as a Qi-moving herb, Ju He may further deplete Yin in patients who already have Yin deficiency patterns.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

No specific pregnancy contraindication is listed in classical or modern sources for Ju He. However, as a Qi-moving herb that acts on the Liver channel, it should be used cautiously during pregnancy. Qi-moving herbs have a theoretical risk of disturbing the fetus, particularly during the first trimester. Use only under practitioner supervision and at the lowest effective dose if needed during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

No specific safety data exists for Ju He use during breastfeeding. Traditionally, Ju He has actually been used to treat early-stage mastitis (breast abscess), which is relevant to breastfeeding women. At standard doses, it is generally considered compatible with lactation. However, as with all medicinal herbs during breastfeeding, it should only be used under practitioner guidance.

Children

Ju He can be used in children, particularly for pediatric inguinal hernia (a traditional indication). Dosage should be reduced proportionally based on age and body weight, typically one-third to one-half of the adult dose. Given its bitter taste and potential to damage digestive function, use should be short-term and under practitioner supervision. The salt-processed form (Yan Ju He) is generally preferred for clinical use in children.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Ju He

No well-documented pharmaceutical drug interactions have been established for Ju He in modern pharmacological literature. The seeds contain limonoids (limonin, obacunone), coumarins, and flavonoids. Some coumarins found in citrus species are known to inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes (particularly CYP3A4), which could theoretically affect the metabolism of drugs processed through this pathway. However, the specific coumarin content in tangerine seeds is low compared to grapefruit, and clinically significant interactions have not been reported at standard medicinal doses. Patients taking medications with a narrow therapeutic index should inform their healthcare provider before using Ju He.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Ju He

When taking Ju He for hernia or lower abdominal conditions, avoid cold and raw foods that could contribute to cold accumulation in the lower abdomen. Warm, easily digested foods are recommended to support the Spleen and Stomach, since the herb's bitter nature can burden digestive function. Moderate consumption of warm rice wine may complement the herb's action, as classical recipes often combined Ju He with wine.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Ju He source plant

Citrus reticulata Blanco (mandarin or tangerine) is a small, evergreen tree in the Rutaceae (citrus) family, typically growing 3 to 8 metres tall with a rounded, symmetrical crown and slender branches that may bear short axillary thorns. The leaves are shiny, dark green, lanceolate to elliptic, with small winged petioles. The white, fragrant flowers are borne singly or in small clusters in the leaf axils. The fruit is a familiar oblate, reddish-orange citrus with a thin, easily peeled skin and sweet, juicy segments containing several small seeds.

The medicinal part, Ju He (橘核), consists of the dried mature seeds collected from these fruits. The seeds are small and egg-shaped, about 0.8 to 1.2 cm long and 0.4 to 0.6 cm in diameter, with a pale yellowish-white to greyish-white outer seed coat and a thin, pale brown inner membrane. The two cotyledons inside are yellowish-green and oily. They have a faint oily odour and a distinctly bitter taste.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Ju He is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Autumn and winter, when the mandarin fruits are fully ripe. Seeds are collected during fruit consumption or from citrus processing facilities, then washed and sun-dried or oven-dried.

Primary growing regions

Ju He is collected from cultivated mandarin orange trees across southern and central China. Major producing regions include Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan provinces, as well as Taiwan. The seeds are typically a by-product of citrus processing and food factories. There is no single strongly designated dao di (terroir) region for Ju He specifically, though the same regions famous for high-quality Chen Pi (aged tangerine peel), particularly Xinhui in Guangdong (for Citrus reticulata 'Chachi') and Zhejiang, also produce high-quality seeds.

Quality indicators

Good quality Ju He seeds are plump, uniformly sized, and egg-shaped, about 0.8 to 1.2 cm long. The outer seed coat should be pale yellowish-white to light greyish-white and smooth, with a visible ridge line (seed raphe) along one side. The interior cotyledons should be yellowish-green and visibly oily when cut open. The seeds should have a faint oily aroma and a distinctly bitter taste. Avoid seeds that are shrivelled, discoloured (dark or mouldy), worm-eaten, or lacking the characteristic bitter taste. For the salt-processed form (Yan Ju He), seeds should show light yellow-brown scorching marks and have a slightly salty taste alongside the bitterness, with a fragrant aroma from roasting.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Ju He and its therapeutic uses

Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao (日华子本草)

Original: 治腰痛，膀胱气，肾疼。炒去壳，酒服良。

Translation: "Treats lower back pain, Bladder Qi [disorders], and Kidney pain. Dry-fry and remove the shell, best taken with wine."

Ben Cao Gang Mu (本草纲目) — Li Shizhen

Original: 治小肠疝气及阴核肿痛。橘核入足厥阴，与青皮同功，故治腰痛疝在下之病。

Translation: "Treats Small Intestine hernia (shan qi) and testicular swelling and pain. Ju He enters the Foot Jue Yin [Liver] channel and shares the same function as Qing Pi, thus treating lower back pain and hernias that settle in the lower body."

Ben Cao Hui Yan (本草汇言)

Original: 橘核，疏肝、散逆气、下寒疝之药也。……又妇人瘕疝，小腹攻疼，腰胯重滞，气逆淋带等疾，以一两白水煎服立定，盖取苦温入肝而疏逆气之功也。

Translation: "Ju He is a medicinal that courses the Liver, disperses counterflow Qi, and descends cold-type hernias... For women with abdominal masses, lower abdominal pain, heaviness in the lower back and hips, counterflow Qi, dribbling urination, and vaginal discharge, decocting one liang in plain water and taking it gives immediate relief, harnessing its bitter-warm nature to enter the Liver and smooth counterflow Qi."

Ben Cao Feng Yuan (本经逢原) — Zhang Lu

Original: 惟实证为宜，虚者禁用。以其味苦，大伤胃中冲和之气也。

Translation: "Only suitable for excess-type conditions; contraindicated in deficiency. Its bitter taste greatly damages the Stomach's harmonious Qi."

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Ju He's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Ju He first appeared as a medicinal substance in the Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao (日华子本草), compiled during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (roughly the 10th century). This early text established its core identity as a remedy for lower back pain and Kidney-related conditions, a characterization that remained remarkably stable through subsequent centuries.

Ju He rose to particular prominence through the Song Dynasty physician Yan Yonghe (严用和), whose Ji Sheng Fang (济生方, Formulas to Aid the Living) included the famous Ju He Wan (橘核丸), a pill specifically designed to treat various types of hernia (shan qi) with testicular swelling. This formula was later popularized even further when the Qing Dynasty physician Wang Ang (汪昂) included it in his widely-studied Tang Tou Ge Jue (汤头歌诀, Rhymed Formulas). After Ju He Wan became well-known, tangerine seeds became virtually synonymous with hernia treatment in Chinese medicine. Li Shizhen in the Ben Cao Gang Mu noted that Ju He enters the Liver channel and shares similar functions with Qing Pi (green tangerine peel), explaining its action on lower-body disorders through Liver channel theory rather than mere 'like-treats-like' reasoning based on the seed's kidney-like shape.

In modern TCM practice, Ju He's applications have expanded beyond hernia to include breast disorders such as mastitis and fibrocystic breast changes, leveraging its Qi-moving and nodule-dispersing properties along the Liver channel. The name 'Ju He' simply means 'tangerine seed' (橘 = tangerine, 核 = seed/kernel), and it has various folk names including 橘子仁 (tangerine seed kernel), 橘米 (tangerine rice, in Sichuan dialect), and 橘仁.

Modern Research

3 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Ju He

1

Limonoids from Citrus reticulata (phytochemistry study, 2003)

Khalil AT, Maatooq GT, El Sayed KA. Journal of Natural Products, 2003, 66(5): 726-728.

Researchers isolated a new limonoid compound (isolimonexic acid methyl ether) from tangerine seeds, along with previously known limonoids including limonin, deacetylnomilin, obacunone, and ichangin. The new compound showed marginal antimalarial activity. This study confirmed the major bioactive chemical classes present in Ju He.

PubMed
2

Two natural products from Citrus reticulata seeds inhibit estrogen biosynthesis (preclinical, 2025)

Authors not fully available from abstract. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2025.

This study found that natural products isolated from tangerine seeds (Semen Citri Reticulatae) can inhibit estrogen biosynthesis by regulating the PI3K-aromatase pathway, suggesting potential chemopreventive applications for hormone-related cancers. These findings provide scientific support for the traditional use of Ju He in treating breast-related conditions.

PubMed
3

Comprehensive review of C. reticulata seeds: traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology (review, 2025)

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2025 (available online).

A comprehensive review systematically evaluated the botanical origins, processing methods, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of Ju He. The seeds were found to be rich in limonoids, flavonoids, and fatty acids, with demonstrated anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties that provide a scientific basis for its traditional applications in treating hernia pain and breast disorders.

Link

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.