Chén Pí (陈皮) — Aged tangerine peel / Citrus peel
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Modern research
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Chén Pí (陈皮) — Citrus reticulata — is known in English as Aged tangerine peel / Citrus peel. It belongs to the category of Herbs that regulate Qi in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the important herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a component of classical herbal formulas and in tailored prescriptions.
I prescribe Chén Pí as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan. Herbs are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Chén Pí |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 陈皮 |
| Latin name | Citrus reticulata |
| English name | Aged tangerine peel / Citrus peel |
| Nature | warm |
| Flavour | acrid, bitter |
| Channels entered | Lung, Spleen, Stomach |
| Category | Herbs that regulate Qi |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Regulates Qi and relieves stagnation in the Middle Jiao
- Dries Dampness and transforms Phlegm
- Descends rebellious Stomach Qi and stops vomiting and nausea
- Harmonises the Spleen and Stomach
- Prevents stagnation from tonic herbs
Indications
- Spleen and Stomach Qi stagnation — epigastric fullness, bloating, belching and nausea
- Cough with copious phlegm from Phlegm-Damp in the Lungs
- Nausea, vomiting and morning sickness
- Used in nearly all tonifying formulas to prevent the stagnation that rich, sweet tonic herbs may cause
- Digestive weakness with bloating after eating
4. Key formulas containing Chén Pí
Chén Pí appears in the following key formulas:
See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 70 classical formulas.
5. Modern research
Citrus reticulata (Chen Pi, aged tangerine peel) is one of the most widely used herbs in TCM and is also an important food medicine. Key bioactive constituents include hesperidin, nobiletin, tangeretin, synephrine and essential oils (limonene, alpha-pinene). Research confirms gastrointestinal motility-stimulating effects, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, lipid-lowering activity, antimicrobial effects and bronchodilatory action. Nobiletin has documented anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Aged peel (over 3 years) is considered superior — the ageing process transforms the acrid, dispersing nature into a more harmonising action.
6. Cautions and contraindications
Use with caution in dry cough from Yin deficiency and in patients with internal Heat without Damp. Avoid large doses in Qi deficiency without Phlegm-Damp.
Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Chén Pí as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including Digestive disorders, Irritable bowel syndrome, Morning sickness. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available throughout the UK and internationally. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.
Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
