Dried Tangerine Rind, Chén Pí, 陈皮, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae

Disclaimer    For educational purposes only.  Do not use as medical advice

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Health Benefits
For: Depression • Indigestion • Stomach aches • Liver toxicity • Cervical cancer • Breast cancer • Antimony poisoning
Attributes: anti-inflammatory • antibacterial • antibiotic • antimicrobial • prebiotic • laxative • cholagogic • antiradical • astringent • antispasmodic • sedative
Products (online examples)

Extract

Dried Herb

Sachet

Granules

Dried Herb

Powder

Tincture

Dried Herb

It's also quite easy to make your own Chen Pi.  Direction for drying tangerine peels under the sun is widely available online.
Research (sample)
Articles:
Constituents: 
Main: volatile oil, flavonoids, alkaloids • Others: hesperidin, tangeridin, synephrine, citromitin, carotene, cryptoxanthin, inositol, vitamins b1 and c, alpha carotene, aldehydes

Photos (Click to enlarge)
Fun Facts
Other Names: Sukha Kinoo Ka Chilka (Hiindi)
Plant Family: Rutaceae
Species
Chen pi is a common spice at my parents house and now mine.  Many Chinese recipes rely on it for flavor.  I did not know that Chen is a digestive aid and a cough/phlegm reducer until now.  It still amazes me that common household spices are often medicinal - I was just unaware of how to effectively use it beyond food flavoring.
Growth
Citrus reticulata is in the USDA Plant Database.  Drill down via USDA Interactive Map:

USA: Citrus reticulata has been introduced to multiple states.      USDA Zones: 9-11

Native: Southeast Asia, South China, Vietnam, Japan 

Habitats:  Nanling (南岭) Mountains

Category: Regulate Qi 
English: Dried Tangerine Rind    Pinyin:  Chen Pi      Pharmaceutical: Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae  
Organs: Lung • Spleen • Stomach      Temperature: Warm  
Taste: Bitter • Pungent • Aromatic      Toxicity: 
Patterns: Dampness • Phlegm • Spleen qi stagnation • Stomach qi stagnation 
Actions:  Stop cough • Stop vomiting • Regulate Qi • Harmonize middle burner • Transform phlegm • Dry dampness
Indications: Cough • Phlegm • Nausea • Vomiting • Chest discomfort • Abdominal distention, Poor appetite • Belching • Bloating • Greasy and thick tongue coating • Chen Pi is focus on the epigastric area for moving Qi
Contraindications: Excess internal heat • Dry cough from heat, yin deficiency or qi deficiency • Cough with blood • Red tongue • Fluid deficiency
Typical Dosage: 3g to 9g • Soak and rinse in cold water for 30 min before use. Cut into thin slices to maximize flavor.          Guidelines
Parts Used: Peel • Leaves • Seeds       Notable for: Lung Qi Stagnation • Dry damp • Transform phlegm • Prevent cloying of Tonifying herbs
Other: Dao Di: Guang Dong • The older the Chen Pi, the better the quality • For moving Qi, Chen Pi is focus on moving Qi in the epigastric area
Combine With Purpose
Dang Shen + Huang Qi  Bloating
Qing Pi Stagnant liver qi: chest, flank and abdominal pain and discomfort
Zhi Ke + Mu Xing Abdominal pain, bloating, distention 
Bai Zhu + Fang Feng Liver antagonizing spleen: abdominal pain and diarrhea
Cang Zhu + Hou Po Spleen and stomach damp cold and stagnation
Shen Jiang Stomach qi disharmony: vomiting
Zhu Ru + Huang Lian Phlegm heat vomiting
Ban Xia Coughing with copious thick phlegm
Bai Zhu Spleen deficiency damp blockage, poor appetite
Formulas with Chen Pi
Bai Zhu Shao Yao San • Bao He Wan • Bu Huan Jin Zheng Qi San • Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang • Cang Fu Dao Tang Tang • Chai Hu Shu Gan San • Ding Xian Wan • Hai Zao Yu Hu Tang • Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang • He Ren Yin • Hou Po Wen Zhong Tang • Hu Qian Wan • Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang • Hu Qian Wan • Hui Chun Dan • Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San • Ji Ming San • Jian Pi Wan • Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang • Liu Jun Zi Tang • Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan • Mu Xiang Liu Qi Yin • Ping Wei San • Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin • Qi Gong Wan • Qi Fei Tang • Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan • Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang • Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang • Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang • Tong Xie Yao Fang • Wan Dai Tang • Wen Dan Tang • Wen Ling Tang • Wu Ji San • Wu Pi San • Wu Ren Wan • Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin • Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang • Xiang Sha Yang Wei Tang • Xiang Fu Xuan Fu Hua Tang • Xiang Su San • Xing Su San • Yi Gong San • Yi Jia Jian Zheng Qi San • Zhi Sou San • Zhong Man Fen Xiao Wan • Zhou Che Wan
Variations for Chen Pi

Different parts of the tangerine has different medicinal actions.  The following are the various parts used in formulas.

Ju Hong (橘 红) is the red part of the tangerine rind.  It has the same benefit as Chen Pi, but more potent.  It is more useful in drying dampness and stopping pain, but less useful in harmonizing and regulating the stomach and spleen. It is used in the following formulas: Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang • Bei Mu Gua Lou San, Di Tan Tang, Er Chen Tang

Ju Luo (橘络) is the tangerine's albedo (soft white material in the rind).  It contains essential oils, cellulose and pectin.  It is used to transform phlegm, particularly with phlegm congestion and coughing to the point of chest pain.

Chao Chen Pi (炒陳皮) is dry- stir fried dried tangerine rind.  It is less pungent than Chen Pi, but is warmer than Chen Pi. 

Ju He (橘核) is the tangerine seed.  It is used to alleviate pain, dissipate nodules, and move qi.  It is the only ingredient in Ju He Wan.  Ju He Wan are pills used to treat hernia pain, testicular pain, and hydrocele.  Frying Ju He with salt increases its potency in treating hernia and testicular pain.

Ju Ye (橘叶) is young tangerine leaves.  It is acrid, bitter and neutral. It also moves qi, alleviate swellings and resolving clumps.  It can be used for breast abscess from bacterial infection, breast cysts and abdominal lumps.

Alert
Be cautions with all medicine.
Potential Drug Interactions
Herbal medicine may interact negatively with pharma drugs and other herbs.  Examples below:

Herbs:

Pharma Drugs:

Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience.  While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts,  variations may result from the numerous English translations.   Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs.  The information here is strictly for educational purposes. 

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