Herb Leaf (叶 yè)

Ju Ye

Tangerine leaf · 橘叶

Citrus reticulata Blanco · Folium Citri Reticulatae

Ju Ye (Tangerine leaf) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Tangerine leaf is a gentle Qi-moving herb best known for its traditional use in breast health. It helps relieve feelings of chest tightness, rib-area discomfort, and breast tenderness or lumps by promoting the smooth flow of Liver Qi and breaking down Phlegm accumulations. It is often used alongside other herbs in formulas for breast conditions and emotional stress-related tension.

Category Qi-regulating herbs (理气药)
Therapeutic focus Breast Health Emotional Wellbeing Digestive Health

TCM Properties

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ), Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn)

Channels entered

Liver

Parts used

Leaf (叶 yè)

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What This Herb Does

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

Therapeutic focus

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

Breast Health Emotional Wellbeing Digestive Health

TCM Actions

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

Soothes the Liver and Regulates Qi Transforms Phlegm and Dissipates Nodules Resolves Toxicity and Reduces Swelling

How these actions work

'Soothes the Liver and moves Qi' means Jú Yè helps restore the smooth flow of Liver Qi when it becomes stuck or stagnant. The Liver is responsible for the free flow of Qi throughout the body, and when it stagnates, people feel distending pain in the chest or sides (under the ribs), emotional frustration, or a sensation of fullness. Jú Yè's pungent and bitter flavour allows it to disperse stuck Qi in the Liver channel, relieving these symptoms. It is especially used for pain and distension in the chest and rib area (hypochondriac region).

'Resolves Phlegm and dissipates nodules' means Jú Yè can help break down abnormal lumps and masses that TCM attributes to the accumulation of Phlegm and stagnant Qi. In clinical practice, this action is most closely associated with breast lumps and nodules. Because the Liver channel passes through the breast area, Liver Qi stagnation often manifests as breast swelling or nodule formation. Jú Yè's ability to both move Liver Qi and resolve Phlegm makes it particularly suited for these breast conditions.

'Reduces swelling and disperses toxins' refers to Jú Yè's capacity to address swollen, inflamed tissue, particularly breast abscesses (mastitis). Fresh leaves can be crushed and applied directly to swollen areas as a poultice. This action was first described by the Yuan Dynasty physician Zhū Dānxī, who used Jú Yè specifically for breast abscesses caused by the stagnation of Liver Qi and Heat in the Yangming (Stomach) channel.

Patterns Addressed

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

Why Ju Ye addresses this pattern

Jú Yè directly enters the Liver channel with its pungent and bitter flavour, which allows it to disperse and move stagnant Liver Qi. When Liver Qi stagnates, it fails to circulate smoothly and causes distending pain in the chest and hypochondriac region. The pungent taste disperses the blockage while the bitter taste helps direct Qi downward, relieving the characteristic fullness and distension of this pattern. Jú Yè is especially effective when Liver Qi stagnation manifests in the chest, flanks, or breast area.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Hypochondriac Pain

Distending pain under the ribs that worsens with emotional stress

Chest Stiffness

Feeling of fullness and oppression in the chest

Breast Redness

Breast distension and pain, especially premenstrual

Irritability

Frustration and emotional tension

Commonly Used For

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

Arises from: Liver Qi Stagnation Qi Stagnation

TCM Interpretation

TCM views mastitis as primarily a disorder of the Liver and Stomach channels, both of which pass through the breast. The Yuan Dynasty physician Zhū Dānxī explained that the breast belongs to the Stomach (Yangming) channel while the nipple belongs to the Liver (Jueyin) channel. Emotional frustration, anger, or depression causes Liver Qi to stagnate, blocking the flow of milk and Qi in the breast. Over time, this stagnation generates Heat, which causes the tissue to become red, swollen, and painful. If left untreated, the Heat can cause the tissue to suppurate and form an abscess.

Why Ju Ye Helps

Jú Yè enters the Liver channel and directly moves the stagnant Liver Qi that is the root cause of breast blockage. Its pungent flavour disperses the accumulation while its bitter flavour helps clear the developing Heat. Classical texts record that fresh Jú Yè can also be crushed and applied as a poultice directly over the inflamed breast tissue, combining internal and external treatment. It is typically combined with other Qi-moving and toxin-clearing herbs like Pú Gōng Yīng (dandelion) and Jīn Yín Huā (honeysuckle) for full effect.

Also commonly used for

Hypochondriac Pain

Pain and distension along the rib sides related to Liver Qi stagnation

Hernia

Inguinal hernia pain, traditionally paired with Lì Zhī Hé

Hypochondrial Pain That Is Worse On Coughing And Breathing

Cough with Phlegm obstruction in the chest

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), Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn)

Channels Entered

Liver

Parts Used

Leaf (叶 yè)

Dosage & Preparation

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

Standard dosage

6-15g (dried); 60-120g (fresh)

Maximum dosage

Up to 120g when using fresh leaves (for juice extraction or poultice). For dried herb in decoction, typically not exceeded beyond 15g in standard practice.

Dosage notes

Use dried herb (6-15g) in decoction for internal conditions such as hypochondriac pain, chest distension, and hernia. For breast conditions (mastitis, lumps), fresh leaves (60-120g) can be juiced for internal use or the crushed fresh leaves applied externally as a poultice. When used as a supporting herb in formulas for Liver Qi stagnation, lower doses (6-9g) are typical. The fresh juice taken directly was traditionally used for lung abscess. Dried leaves can also be brewed as a simple tea for mild Liver Qi stagnation and mood improvement.

Preparation

No special decoction handling required. Ju Ye is simply decocted normally with other herbs. For external use, fresh leaves are crushed and applied as a poultice.

Processing Methods

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

Processing method

Honey is spread on the back surface of fresh tangerine leaves, which are then dry-roasted (fire-baked) until crisp.

How it changes properties

Honey processing moderates the herb's dispersing nature and adds a mild moistening quality. The slightly sweet, moistening effect of honey helps direct the herb's action toward the Lungs, enhancing its ability to resolve Phlegm and stop cough.

When to use this form

When Jú Yè is used primarily for cough with Phlegm obstruction rather than for breast conditions. This preparation is described in the Diān Nán Běn Cǎo for treating cough.

Common Herb Pairs

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

Li Zhi He
Li Zhi He Jú Yè 10 pieces : Lì Zhī Hé 5 pieces (classical recipe)

Jú Yè moves Liver Qi in the upper body (chest and breast), while Lì Zhī Hé (lychee seed) moves Liver Qi in the lower abdomen. Together they address Liver Qi stagnation throughout both the upper and lower body, particularly along the Liver channel pathway.

When to use: When Liver Qi stagnation manifests as both rib-area pain and lower abdominal or inguinal hernia pain. Classical formulas from the Diān Nán Běn Cǎo pair these for hernia pain.

Pu Gong Ying
Pu Gong Ying 1:2 (Jú Yè 10g : Pú Gōng Yīng 20g)

Jú Yè soothes the Liver and moves Qi through the breast area, while Pú Gōng Yīng clears Heat-toxin and reduces swelling. Together they address both the Qi stagnation and the Heat-toxin that cause mastitis and breast abscesses.

When to use: Early-stage mastitis with breast redness, swelling, and pain. Both herbs can also be used fresh as external poultices over the affected breast.

Dan Shen
Dan Shen 1:1 to 1:2 (Jú Yè 10g : Dān Shēn 10–15g)

Jú Yè moves Liver Qi and dissipates Phlegm nodules, while Dān Shēn invigorates Blood and resolves Blood stasis. Together they address the common clinical combination of Qi stagnation and Blood stasis that underlies chronic breast lumps.

When to use: Breast nodules and lumps (fibrocystic breast disease) with both distension and fixed pain, indicating Qi and Blood stagnation together. This is the core pairing found in the patent medicine Rǔ Kuài Xiāo Kēlì.

Chai Hu
Chai Hu 1:1 (Jú Yè 10g : Chái Hú 10g)

Both herbs soothe the Liver and move Qi, but Chái Hú works more broadly to raise and regulate Qi dynamics across the whole body, while Jú Yè focuses specifically on the breast and chest area. Together they provide comprehensive Liver Qi regulation with targeted breast-area action.

When to use: Liver Qi stagnation presenting with both emotional symptoms (depression, frustration) and breast tenderness or lumps.

Comparable Ingredients

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

Qing Pi
Ju Ye vs Qing Pi

Both Jú Yè and Qīng Pí come from the same tangerine plant and both move Liver Qi. However, Qīng Pí (green tangerine peel) is more forceful and is described as 'breaking' Qi stagnation, making it more appropriate for severe and deep stagnation with pain. Jú Yè is gentler and specifically targets the breast and upper chest, making it better suited for breast conditions. Qīng Pí also enters the Gallbladder channel and is more commonly used for food stagnation and epigastric pain.

Ju He
Ju Ye vs Ju He

Both are parts of the tangerine plant that enter the Liver channel. Jú Hé (tangerine seed) is primarily used to move Qi in the lower abdomen, especially for hernia pain and testicular swelling, while Jú Yè targets the upper body, particularly the breast and chest. When Liver Qi stagnation affects multiple areas, they can be combined.

Xiang Fu
Ju Ye vs Xiang Fu

Both are Qi-regulating herbs that soothe the Liver. Xiāng Fù is considered the primary Qi-moving herb for gynaecological conditions and has a broader range of action across the whole body, including menstrual irregularity and generalised pain from Qi stagnation. Jú Yè has a much narrower clinical focus on the breast area and chest. For breast-specific conditions, Jú Yè is the more targeted choice, while Xiāng Fù is preferred when menstrual symptoms predominate.

Identity & Adulterants

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

Ju Ye (橘叶, from Citrus reticulata) should be distinguished from several related but different leaves: 1. Gou Ju Ye (枸橘叶, Poncirus trifoliata leaf): This comes from a different genus entirely. The leaf is trifoliate (three leaflets), unlike the single-blade tangerine leaf, and has different therapeutic actions (treating hiccups and vomiting rather than breast conditions). 2. Jin Ju Ye (金橘叶, kumquat leaf): From Citrus japonica, sometimes sold as a substitute. The leaves are smaller and narrower. 3. You Zi Ye (柚子叶, pomelo leaf): From Citrus grandis/maxima. The leaf petiole has a characteristically broad, heart-shaped wing, which distinguishes it from the narrow-winged petiole of the tangerine leaf. Authentic Ju Ye can be confirmed by its single, simple leaf blade with a narrow-winged petiole, a joint between petiole and blade, and abundant translucent oil glands visible when held to light.

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

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Ju Ye

Non-toxic

Contraindications

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

Caution

People with Qi deficiency or weakness without signs of Qi stagnation should avoid this herb, as its dispersing and Qi-moving nature may further deplete Qi.

Caution

Individuals with internal excess Heat (marked by mouth sores, dry mouth, sore throat, or constipation) should use with caution, as acrid and bitter-drying herbs can aggravate Heat.

Caution

People with Yin deficiency presenting with dry symptoms should use cautiously, as the herb's acrid dispersing nature may further consume Yin fluids.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

No specific pregnancy contraindication is established in classical texts. However, as an acrid Qi-moving herb that disperses stagnation, it should be used cautiously during pregnancy, particularly in women with a history of miscarriage. Its Qi-dispersing properties are relatively mild compared to stronger Qi-moving herbs like Qing Pi (green tangerine peel), but standard caution for Qi-regulating herbs applies. Consult a qualified practitioner before use during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

Ju Ye has been traditionally used to treat breast conditions including mastitis (breast abscess during lactation) and is generally considered compatible with breastfeeding when used at standard doses for short periods. In fact, its classical indication specifically includes treatment of lactation-related breast problems (妒乳, 内外吹). No specific concerns about transfer through breast milk have been documented. However, prolonged use of any Qi-dispersing herb during breastfeeding should be supervised by a qualified practitioner.

Children

No specific classical contraindications exist for pediatric use. Dosage should be reduced proportionally based on the child's age and weight. As a mild Qi-regulating herb, it is generally considered safe for children when indicated, but should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner. Not commonly used as a standalone pediatric remedy.

Drug Interactions

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

No well-documented pharmaceutical drug interactions are established for Ju Ye specifically. As a member of the Citrus genus, the leaf contains flavonoids and volatile oils. Citrus flavonoids such as naringenin (found in the leaves) have been shown in laboratory studies to inhibit certain cytochrome P450 enzymes, which could theoretically affect the metabolism of drugs processed by these enzymes. However, the clinical significance of this interaction from tangerine leaf at standard herbal doses is unknown and likely minimal.

As a general precaution, patients taking medications with narrow therapeutic windows should inform their healthcare provider before using citrus-derived herbal medicines.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Ju Ye

When taking Ju Ye for Liver Qi stagnation or breast conditions, avoid greasy, heavy, and excessively rich foods that may worsen Qi stagnation and phlegm accumulation. Favour light, easily digestible meals. Reducing emotional stress and maintaining a calm state supports the herb's Liver-soothing actions. Alcohol in small amounts was traditionally considered acceptable (classical formulas sometimes used a little wine as a vehicle), but excessive alcohol should be avoided.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Ju Ye source plant

Ju Ye is the leaf of the mandarin orange tree, Citrus reticulata Blanco (family Rutaceae), a small evergreen tree or shrub typically growing 3 to 4 meters tall. The branches are slender with occasional small thorns. The leaves are alternate, with short petioles (about 0.5 to 1.5 cm) bearing narrow wings and a distinct joint where the petiole meets the blade.

The leaf blade is lanceolate to elliptical, 4 to 11 cm long and 1.5 to 4 cm wide, with a gradually tapering tip that is slightly indented and a wedge-shaped base. The margins are entire or slightly wavy with faintly visible blunt serrations. When held up to the light, numerous semi-transparent oil glands (oil dots) are visible throughout the leaf, giving it a distinctive speckled appearance. The tree produces fragrant white or pale pinkish flowers in spring (March to April), followed by round or flattened orange fruits that ripen from October to December.

Sourcing & Harvesting

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

Harvesting season

Can be harvested year-round, but the optimal period is from December to February of the following year. Leaves are shade-dried or sun-dried after collection, and can also be used fresh.

Primary growing regions

Ju Ye is produced throughout the citrus-growing regions of central and southern China. The main producing provinces include Sichuan, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Hubei, Anhui, Zhejiang, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Taiwan. As it comes from the same tree as Chen Pi (tangerine peel), regions famous for high-quality Chen Pi — particularly Xinhui in Guangdong province (source of the prized Guang Chen Pi) — also produce good quality leaves. However, Ju Ye does not have a strongly established single dao di (terroir) region, as it is widely available and mostly sold locally (多自产自销).

Quality indicators

Good quality Ju Ye leaves, when flattened from their typically curled or crumbled dried form, should be rhomboid-elongate or elliptical in shape. The surface should be grey-green or yellow-green in color, smooth, and when held up to light, numerous tiny transparent oil dots should be clearly visible. The texture should be crisp and brittle, breaking easily. The aroma should be distinctly fragrant (due to volatile oils), and the taste should be bitter. Avoid leaves that are overly brown, mouldy, lacking in fragrance, or without visible oil glands.

Classical Texts

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

Zhu Zhenheng (朱震亨, Dan Xi)

Original: 导胸膈逆气，行肝气，消肿散毒，乳痈胁痛，用之行经。

Translation: "It guides rebellious Qi downward from the chest and diaphragm, moves Liver Qi, reduces swelling and disperses toxins. For breast abscess and hypochondriac pain, it is used to move through the channels."

— Cited in Ben Cao Gang Mu (本草纲目) by Li Shizhen, attributed to Zhu Danxi

Ben Cao Jing Shu (本草经疏) by Miao Xiyong

Original: 橘叶，古今方书不载，能散阳明、厥阴经滞气，妇人妒乳、内外吹、乳岩、乳痈，用之皆效，以诸证皆二经所生之病也。

Translation: "Tangerine leaf is not recorded in ancient or modern formula texts, yet it can disperse stagnant Qi of the Yangming and Jueyin channels. For women's mastitis, internal and external breast obstruction, breast lumps, and breast abscess, using it is always effective, because all these conditions arise from diseases of these two channels."

Ben Cao Hui Yan (本草汇言)

Original: 橘叶，疏肝、散逆气、定胁痛之药也。按丹溪言，此药其味苦涩，其气辛香，其性温散，凡病血结气结，痰涎火逆，病为胁痛，为乳痈，为脚气，为肿毒，为胸膈逆气等疾，或捣汁饮，或取渣敷贴，无不应手获效。

Translation: "Tangerine leaf is a medicinal that soothes the Liver, disperses rebellious Qi, and calms hypochondriac pain. According to Danxi, this herb has a bitter and astringent taste, an acrid and aromatic quality, and a warm dispersing nature. For all illnesses involving Blood stagnation, Qi binding, phlegm and fire rebellion — manifesting as rib-side pain, breast abscess, leg Qi, toxic swelling, or rebellious Qi in the chest — whether taken as pressed juice or applied as a poultice, it invariably produces immediate results."

Dian Nan Ben Cao (滇南本草) by Lan Mao

Original: 行气消痰，降肝气。治咳嗽，疝气等症。

Translation: "Moves Qi and resolves phlegm, descends Liver Qi. Treats cough, hernia, and similar conditions."

Historical Context

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

Ju Ye is a relatively late addition to the Chinese materia medica. It was not mentioned in the earliest herbal classics and was first recorded in clinical use by the great Yuan dynasty physician Zhu Danxi (朱丹溪, 1281–1358), one of the Four Great Masters of the Jin-Yuan period. Zhu Danxi was the first to document using tangerine leaf (specifically called "qing ju ye," green tangerine leaf) for treating breast abscess (mastitis) in his work Dan Xi Xin Fa (丹溪心法). He understood breast disease through the lens of the Jueyin (Liver) and Yangming (Stomach) channels, and prescribed tangerine leaf as part of a comprehensive approach to move stagnant Liver Qi and clear toxins from the breast.

Li Shizhen (1518–1593) later included Ju Ye in the Ben Cao Gang Mu, citing Zhu Danxi's experience and summarizing its key actions. Miao Xiyong (1546–1627) further validated its use in his Ben Cao Jing Shu, specifically noting its effectiveness for breast conditions. In modern TCM practice, Ju Ye remains closely associated with breast health, commonly used for mastitis, breast lumps, and fibrocystic breast changes, continuing Zhu Danxi's original clinical insight. Its name simply means "tangerine leaf" (橘 = tangerine, 叶 = leaf), reflecting its straightforward botanical origin as a byproduct of the citrus tree.

Modern Research

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

1

Citrus reticulata Leaves Essential Oil as an Antiaging Agent: A Comparative Study between Different Cultivars and Correlation with Their Chemical Compositions (In vitro study, 2022)

Fahmy NM, Elhady SS, Bannan DF, Malatani RT, Gad HA. Plants (Basel). 2022; 11(23):3335.

This study compared the essential oil composition and anti-aging enzyme inhibitory activity of leaves from different Citrus reticulata cultivars grown in Egypt. The researchers identified 39 compounds in the leaf oils, with major components including beta-pinene, d-limonene, gamma-terpinene, linalool, and dimethyl anthranilate. Several cultivars showed promising inhibitory action against aging-related enzymes (elastase and collagenase), suggesting potential cosmetic and dermatological applications.

2

Citrus reticulata Blanco: A Review on Chemical Composition and Biological Activities (Systematic Review, 2025)

PMC article. Chemistry & Biodiversity (PMC 12780937). 2025.

This review compiled data from 49 studies published between 2014 and 2024 on Citrus reticulata, including its leaves. The leaf extract yielded a novel acridone alkaloid and multiple flavones, some showing moderate cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines. The review highlighted that the species contains diverse bioactive compounds including monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, methoxylated flavonoids, and alkaloids with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities.

3

Improvement of Cognitive Function in Mice by Citrus reticulata var. kinnow via Modulation of Central Cholinergic System and Oxidative Stress (Preclinical study, 2021)

Pruthi S, Kaur K, Singh V, Shri R. Metabolic Brain Disease. 2021; 36(5):901-910.

This study assessed the cognitive-enhancing, antioxidant, and anticholinesterase effects of Citrus reticulata leaf extracts. The most active fraction (containing naringenin) showed significant acetylcholinesterase inhibition in vitro and improved memory function in a mouse model of scopolamine-induced amnesia. Results suggest potential neuroprotective applications for mandarin leaf compounds.

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.