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Ju Hong橘红

Citri Exocarpium Rubrum · Red Tangerine Peel

Herbs that Regulate the Qi 理气药Ben Cao Gang Mu 《本草纲目》

Overview

The outer red layer of tangerine peel with the soft white pith scraped away — the same drug as Chen Pi 陈皮 minus its moistening part, and therefore drier, more acrid, and better at dispersing cold-phlegm from the Lung. It is preferred over Chen Pi when copious clear or white sputum and a stifling chest dominate, and it keeps a mild ability to disperse a lingering exterior cold. It should not be confused with Hua Ju Hong, a different pomelo-derived drug.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, bitter · Warm

Channels

Lung · Spleen

Typical Dosage

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

Actions

3 core actions

  • Dries damp, transforms phlegmCough with copious white or watery sputum and a stifling sensation in the chest.
  • Moves qi, loosens the middleEpigastric and abdominal fullness, belching and nausea from damp obstructing the middle burner.
  • Disperses lingering coldA wind-cold cough that has not quite cleared, where a mild dispersing action is still wanted.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Ju Hong

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Cough with abundant white, watery phlegm
    - Chest and epigastric fullness with nausea
    - Poor appetite and belching from damp in the middle burner

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Chronic bronchitisProductive coughDyspepsia

Contraindications

Cautions

Drier and more dispersing than Chen Pi: unsuitable for dry cough from yin deficiency, for coughing of blood, and for marked qi deficiency, where it further consumes the qi.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Ben Cao Gang Mu《本草纲目》(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.