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Chen Pi陈皮

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium · Aged Tangerine Peel · Mandarin Orange Peel

Herbs that Regulate the Qi 理气药《神农本草经》

Overview

Aged mandarin peel, the workhorse of the qi-regulating group and half of the two aged things that give Er Chen Tang its name. Acrid, bitter and warm, entering the Spleen, Stomach and Lung channels, it moves stagnant qi in the middle burner, dries damp and transforms phlegm; a small amount goes into rich tonic formulas so the tonic does not sit heavily. Dry-fried peel is milder and warmer for a weak stomach, while vinegar-fried peel is drawn toward the Liver and toward pain from constrained qi.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, bitter · Warm

Channels

Spleen · Lung

Typical Dosage

3–9 g in decoction
陈皮Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

4 core actions

  • Regulates qi, harmonizes the middleEpigastric and abdominal distension, belching, nausea and poor appetite from qi stagnation in the middle burner.
  • Dries damp, transforms phlegmCough with copious white sputum and a stifling chest — the Er Chen Tang pattern, with Ban Xia and Fu Ling.
  • Keeps tonic formulas movingA small amount added to rich qi- and blood-tonifying prescriptions so they do not clog the digestion.
  • How the processed forms differDry-fried Chen Pi is gentler and warmer, suiting a cold, weak stomach; vinegar-fried Chen Pi is guided toward the Liver, favoring flank distension and pain from constrained qi.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Chen Pi

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Abdominal and epigastric distension, belching, nausea, poor appetite
    - Cough with copious white or clear sputum and chest oppression
    - Damp-phlegm patterns with a greasy tongue coating
    - Added to tonic formulas to keep them from cloying

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

DyspepsiaBloatingNauseaChronic bronchitis

Contraindications

Cautions

Warm, drying and dispersing: use it cautiously in yin deficiency with a dry cough, in coughing of blood, and wherever fluids are already depleted. It is not suited to prolonged high-dose use in weak, dry patients.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Generally compatible in culinary and ordinary prescribed amounts — practitioner judgment applies.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.