Qing Pi - 青皮 - Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride - Green Tangerine Peel
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Pericarpium Citri Reticulate Viride |
| Common English: | Blue Citrus Green Tangerine Peel Immature Tangerine Peel Unripe Tangerine Peel |
Category
Herbs That Regulate Qi (Carminatives)Properties
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
| Bitter Acrid | Warm | Gallbladder Liver Stomach | 3-10g Tincture: 1-4ml |
Actions And Indications
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Spreads Liver Qi and breaks up Stagnant Qi | Liver Qi Stagnation with chest, hypochondriac and breast distention and pain or bulging disorder |
Dissipates accumulations and reduces Food Stagnation | Food Stagnation with accumulation manifesting as pain, distention or a stifling sensation in the epigastrium Severe Food Stagnation Qi Stagnation which leads to Blood Stagnation with masses |
Dries Dampness and transforms Phlegm | Phlegm-Damp with malarial disorders Breast abscess |
Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions
| CONTRAINDICATIONS |
|
| INCOMPATIBILITIES |
| |
| HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Major Combinations
| Rx. Bupleuri | Rx. Bupleuri | Rz. Cyperi |
| Pain and distention in the chest, hypochondrium and flanks due to Disharmony between the Liver and Stomach. | Hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly. | Pain and distention of the flanks due to Liver Qi Stagnation. |
| Rz. Cyperi | Sm. Sinapis | Sm. Citri Reticulatae |
Breast pain and swelling. Breast abscess. | Cough with chest and flank pain due to congested fluids. | Pain from intestinal prolapse or testicular swelling. |
| Rx. Linderae Or Rx. Linderae | Fr. Crataegi | Rz. Sparganii |
Lower abdominal pain radiating to the testicles due to Cold Invading the Liver Channel. | Pain and distention of the epigastrium due to Food Stagnation. | Masses where prolonged Qi Stagnation has led to Blood Stagnation. |
| Squama Manitis | Rx. Bupleuri | Rx. Bupleuri |
Breast abscess. | Restores the Qi circulation between the Upper and Lower Jiaos to treat long-term Qi Stagnation moving to Blood Stasis with fixed pain and occasional palpable lumps. (caution with Blood Deficiency) | Breast distention and pain or breast nodules. |
Rx. Linderae | ||
Intestinal prolapse, feeling of genital prolapse or testicular swelling due to chronic orchitis. |
Notes
- In recent practice this herb has been used to raise blood pressure.
- Its action is stronger than that of Per. Citri Reticulatae Chen Pi.
- In Bupleurum Chai Hu formulas it frequently replaces Zhi Shi and Zhi Ke , particularly for pain and tumors, helping Chai Hu dredge the Liver and disperse entangled Qi.
- Chronic bronchitis with stagnant Qi in the chest is one of its useful applications.
- Qing Pi scatters and unblocks in a relatively harsh way, and its main use is breaking up Qi Stagnation. Because it acts mainly horizontally, it is used more for pain. Chen Pi is gentler and more harmonious than Per. Citri Reticulatae Viride Qing Pi and tends to enter the Qi level of the Spleen and Lungs. Its actions are more vertical, so it is used for coughing and vomiting.
- Stagnant Qi in the upper back and chest responds well to it.
- Moderate doses are said to treat allergies.
- Dry-fried Unripe Tangerine Peel Chao Qing Pi is better at harmonizing the Stomach and treats chest and flank distention and pain, poor appetite and abdominal fullness arising from Liver and Stomach Disharmony.
- Vinegar-fried Unripe Tangerine Peel Cu Chao Qing Pi directs its actions specifically into the Liver channel, with a stronger ability to dredge and break up Liver Qi .
- Wine-fried Unripe Tangerine Peel Jiu Chao Qing Pi disperses more strongly to promote the flow of Qi and Blood, for example in abdominal masses.
- Charred Unripe Tangerine Peel Qing Pi Tan is weaker at breaking up Qi, yet it still reduces Food Stagnation, transforms obstruction and harmonizes the Stomach, so it is used for Food Stagnation with epigastric distention and belching.
From Class
- Citrus oils (C. aurantium, C. sinensis) & eucalyptus: Citrus oils break things up (Zhu Danxi: Citrus aurantium can 'break down a wall'), affecting diaphragm and lungs; use gentler citrus if sensitive. (Yuen)