Zhi Ke (Qiao) - 枳壳 - Fructus Aurantii - Bitter Orange

Pharmaceutical Latin:	Fructus Aurantii
Common English:	Bitter Orange

Category

Herbs that Regulate the Qi

Properties

Taste	Temperature	Entering Meridians	Dosage
Bitter Acrid (Sour)	Slightly Cold (Cool)	Spleen Stomach Large Intestine (Liver)	3-10g Tincture: 1-3ml

Actions And Indications

Actions	Indications/Syndromes
Promotes the movement of Qi, reduces distention and pressure and resolves hardenings	Qi Stagnation and accumulation (especially in weak or deficient patients)
Removes stagnated food	Food Stagnation

Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions

Major Combinations

Rx. Bupleuri Chai Hu Hb. Menthae Bo He	Ram. Cinnamomi Gui Zhi	Rx. Platycodi Jie Geng
Upper Jiao surface Heat problems.	A stabbing pain in the chest and flanks.	Regulates the flow of Qi in the chest and aids in the transformation of Phlegm for, chest congestion.
Rz. Cimicifugae Sheng Ma	Rx. Curcumae Yu Jin	Hb. Schizonepetae Jing Jie Rx. Saposhnikoviae Fang Feng Flos Carthami Hong Hua Rx. Paeoniae Rubra Chi Shao
Relaxes the bowels and encourages the downward flow of turbid Yin.	Liver Qi Stagnation with a stifling sensation in the chest and fullness in the epigastrium and abdomen with Heat signs. Stabbing pain in the chest, flanks and abdomen due to Blood Stagnation.	Itching of the skin.

Notes

1. For constipation, it is less effective than Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi.
2. Its action is gentler than that of Zhi Shi, and it is better suited to clearing Food Stagnation and to Qi Deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach.
3. Its uses include indigestion, constipation, abdominal distention, a stuffy chest, thick yellow sputum, and uterine, rectal and gastric prolapse.
4. Per. Citri Reticulatae Chen Pi and Exocarpium Citri Reticulatae Rubra Ju Hong are used for cough and Spleen and Stomach disturbance; Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi is frequently used for Gallbladder congestion and constipation; and Zhi Ke is frequently used for surface Heat such as sore throat, skin eruptions or hot flashes.
5. It works best for Liver Qi Stagnation, particularly with flank pain.
6. It is helpful for belching and a stifling feeling in the chest.
7. For postpartum uterine prolapse, soak in a decoction of Zhi Ke; after an extended period the prolapse will recede.
8. Zhi Ke and Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi are one fruit harvested at different stages of development: Zhi Shi is unripe, and Zhi Ke is nearly ripe. Both break up Qi, disperse clumps and Phlegm, and reduce focal distention. Zhi Ke governs the upper trunk, covering disorders of the chest, diaphragm, skin and body hair, while Zhi Shi governs the lower trunk, covering disorders of the Heart, abdomen, Spleen and Stomach. Zhi Shi is violent by nature and excels at driving downward, whereas Zhi Ke is gentler and slower as it moves Qi through the chest, diaphragm, Lungs, Stomach and Large Intestine.
9. Dry-fried Bitter Orange Chao Zhi Ke is milder than unprepared Bitter Orange Zhi Ke, and is better suited to elderly or weak patients or to inclusion in tonifying formulas to support digestion.
10. Charred Bitter Orange Zhi Ke Tan is far less cold and enters the Blood level to stop bleeding. It is also used for Qi blockage disorders that involve bleeding, such as Intestinal Wind.