Chén Pí · Dried Tangerine Peel
Chén Pí (陈皮, Dried Tangerine Peel) is a herb of Warm nature and Pungent, Bitter flavor, in the “Qi-regulating herbs” category. Tradition uses it to regulate Qi, Dry Dampness, Strengthen Spleen.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Chén Pí
- Characters
- 陈皮
- Botanical name
- Citrus reticulata Blanco
- Family
- Rutaceae
- Part used
- Peel (aged)
- Nature
- Warm
- Flavor
- Pungent, Bitter
- Meridians
- Lung, Spleen, Stomach
- Category
- Qi-regulating herbs
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- No contraindication described (always consult)
- Origin
- China (Guangdong)
Actions according to tradition
- Regulate Qi
- Dry Dampness
- Strengthen Spleen
- Transform Phlegm
Traditional uses
- Damp obstruction in middle jiao with nausea and vomiting
- Qi stagnation causing epigastric fullness and bloating
- Phlegm-damp cough with profuse sputum
- Spleen qi deficiency with poor digestion
- Morning sickness during pregnancy
Studied effects and current applications
- Relieves bloating, gas, and digestive stagnation
- Dries damp and transforms phlegm in the lungs
- Harmonizes middle jiao and stops nausea
- Regulates qi flow to relieve epigastric fullness
- Strengthens spleen transformation and transportation
Applications under investigation
- Irritable bowel syndrome and bloating
- Nausea and vomiting (including chemotherapy)
- Chronic bronchitis and excessive mucus
- Poor appetite and digestive weakness
- Metabolic syndrome
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Excessive thirst from yin deficiency
- Dry cough with blood-streaked sputum
Relative contraindications
- Qi deficiency without stagnation
- Excessive internal heat
- Pregnancy
- Generally safe. Often used in pregnancy for nausea.
- Breastfeeding
- Safe and commonly used during breastfeeding.
- Children
- Safe for children. Used in pediatric digestive formulas.
- Older adults
- Excellent for elderly with phlegm-damp and digestive weakness.
Possible adverse effects
- Dry mouth with long-term high doses
- Possible heartburn in sensitive individuals
When to stop
- Yin deficiency symptoms develop
- Dry cough worsens
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CYP3A4 substrates | Various - check medication guide | Mild | May mildly affect drug metabolism through CYP enzymes Low risk at typical doses |
With other herbs
- ban_xia Classic combination for phlegm-damp conditions
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 3-9 grams daily
- Powder
- 1-3 grams daily
- Culinary use
- 3-6g dried peel in soups and teas
- Acute use
- 1-2 weeks
- Chronic use
- As part of formulas indefinitely
- Maximum
- Long-term safe as culinary herb
- Children
- Safe for children. Often used in pediatric formulas for digestion.
Forms of preparation
Add 3-9g dried peel to water, simmer 20-30 min. Excellent in soups.
Digestive support, nausea
Steep 3-6g in hot water 10-15 min. Add honey if desired.
Daily digestive wellness, bloating after meals
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Polymethoxylated flavonoids (nobiletin, tangeretin) and essential oil (limonene)
Polymethoxylated flavone (PMF) · Neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antidiabetic
PKC, NF-κB and STAT3 inhibition; AMPK activation; acetylcholinesterase inhibition · 0.3-1.5% in mature peel
Polymethoxylated flavone · Antitumor, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective
JAK2/STAT3 inhibition, apoptosis induction, LDL-C reduction · 0.2-1.0%
Flavanones glycosides · Vasoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive
ACE inhibition, vascular permeability reduction, NF-κB blockade · 1-5%
Monoterpenes (essential oil) · Carminative, choleretic, anxiolytic, antitumor
HMG-CoA reductase inhibition (tumor), gastric motility stimulation, GABA modulation · 85-96% of essential oil
Polymethoxylated flavone · Anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic
α-glucosidase, COX-2 and PLA2 inhibition · 0.1-0.5%
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Autumn-winter (October-January) when the fruits are ripe
Skin of ripe tangerines harvested when the orange color is uniform. The fresh skin is 橘皮 (Jú Pí); only after minimum aging of 1 year (preferably 3-5 years) is it called 陈皮 (Chén Pí = old skin).
Skin of ripe tangerines peeled in three sections, dried in the sun and then aged in a dry and ventilated place for at least 1 year, ideally 3-5 or more years. With aging, hesperidosides transform into softer flavonoids.
Fresh or newly dried tangerine peel without aging. More pungent and dissipating.
Formulas it appears in
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
