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Ju Ye橘叶

Citri Reticulatae Folium · Tangerine Leaf

Herbs that Regulate the Qi 理气药

Overview

Appended to Chen Pi 陈皮 in the textbook, alongside Ju He 橘核, Ju Luo 橘络 and Ju Hong 橘红 — the tangerine tree supplies a small family of herbs, and the leaf is the one that goes to the Liver channel and the breast. Acrid, bitter and neutral, it soothes a constrained Liver, moves qi through the flanks and disperses nodules, which is why it appears in almost every traditional prescription for breast distension, breast abscess and premenstrual breast pain.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, bitter · Neutral

Channels

Liver

Typical Dosage

3–10 g in decoction
橘叶Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Soothes the Liver, moves qiFlank and chest distension with sighing and irritability from Liver qi constraint.
  • Dissipates nodules, reduces swellingDistending breast pain, breast lumps that come and go with the cycle, and the early stage of breast abscess — often with Pu Gong Ying.
  • Guides to the breastUsed in small amounts to direct a formula toward the breast and the Liver channel through the flanks.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Ju Ye

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Distending breast pain, worse before menstruation
    - Early-stage breast abscess with redness and swelling
    - Flank and chest distension from Liver qi constraint
    - Nodules along the Liver channel

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

MastalgiaMastitisPremenstrual syndromeBreast lump

Contraindications

Cautions

A mild herb with no recorded toxicity, but the presentations it is used for are not all mild. A breast lump that is new, hard, fixed or one-sided, skin dimpling, nipple discharge, or a breast infection with fever, needs medical assessment and often antibiotics — herbs are at best an adjunct there, and delay is the real risk. Acrid and dispersing, it is not appropriate on its own in qi deficiency without stagnation.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Not a classical pregnancy prohibition, but it moves qi and disperses — during pregnancy and while breastfeeding use only on the advice of the treating practitioner.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Appended to Chen Pi 陈皮 in 《中药学》(新世纪第二版).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》(2020 edition).
    4. 《中药学》(新世纪第二版), chapter on herbs that regulate the qi.

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.