WH Acupuncture & Herbs Centre

it is the pericarp of imature fruits of Citrus reticulata Blanco and its cultivated varieties, family Rutaceae. Form May to June, the fallen imature fruits are collected and dried in the sunshine, they are called "Ge Qinpi" . From July to August, the immature fruits are collected, they are cut vertically into four parts, After the pulp is removed, they are cut into thick pieces or slices and dried in the sunshine and they are habitually called "Sihua Qingpi". It is used in raw form or after stir-baked with vinegar.

[ Medicinal Properties ]: Bitter, pungent and warm; relate to liver, gallbladder and stomach meridians.

[ Medicinal Efficacies ]: Soothe liver to break qi stagnation; resolve food retention by promoting digestion.

[ Clinical Applications ]: 1.Stagnation ofliver qi syndromes      For hypochondriac distending pain, itis usually combined with Chaihu, Yujin and Zhiqiao; for distending pain and mass in breast, usually with Chaihu, Juye and Xiangju; for distending pain and mass in breast, usually with Chaihu,Juye and Xiangfu; for swelling pain due to breast abscess, usually with Pugongying, Gulou and Jinyinghua; for hernia with swelling pain, usually with Wuyao, Xiaohuixiang and Muxiang, such as Tiantai Wuyao Powder.

2. Food retention causing abdominal distension      It is usually used together with Shanzha, Maiya and Shenqu, such as Qingpi Pills.

In addition, with its action of breaking qi stagnation to dissipate mass, it treats abdominal mass due to qi stagnation and blood stasis and malarial nodule together with other herbs.

[ Usage and Dosage ]: 3-9g.The raw are used to break qi stagnation since it is violent and pungent. The stir-baked are used to promote digestion and remove food retention with mild action. The processed with vinegar are used to strengthen its effect of alleviating pain.

[ Precautions ]: Since it is violent and consumes qi, it should avoid with qi deficiency.

[ Medicinal Comparison ]: Similarities: Chenqi and Qingpi are pungent and warm. They are effective for promoting qi flow to remove stagnation and so treat qi stagnation of spleen and stomach.

Differences: Chenpi can mildly promote qi flow and invigorate spleen and stomach, so it is usullay used for qi stagnation due to spleen deficiency, drying dampness and resolving phlegm. It is a commonly-used herb for treating phlegm syndrome. Qingpi can strongly promote qi flow, soothe liver to break qi stagnation, promote digestion and remove food retention, so it usually treats syndromes due to stagnation of liver qi and excess syndromes such as food retention and abdominal mass.

青皮为芸香科植物橘 Citrus reticulata Blanco 及其栽培变种的幼果或未成熟果实的干燥果皮。产地同陈皮。5～6月间收集自落的幼果，晒干，称为“个青皮”，7～8月间采收未成熟的果实，在果皮上纵剖成四瓣至基部，除去瓤肉，晒干，习称“四花青皮”。生用或醋炙用。