Zhi Shi - 枳实 - Fructus Aurantii Immaturus - Immature Bitter Orange
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Fructus Aurantii Immaturus |
| Common English: | Chih-Shih Citrus Immature Bitter Orange Ponciri Unripe Bitter Orange |
Category
Herbs that Regulate QiProperties
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
| Bitter Acrid (Sour) | Slightly Cold (Cool) (Lukewarm) | Large Intestine Spleen Stomach (Lung) | 3-10g Visceroptosis: 12-30g Tincture: 1-4ml Essential Oil: 2-3drops |
Actions And Indications
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Breaks up Stagnant Qi, Descends Qi, Reduces accumulation, Removes Stagnant Food, Unblocks the bowels | Qi Stagnation and accumulation with epigastric or abdominal pain and distention or indigestion with focal distention or gas Food Stagnation |
Transforms Phlegm, reduces distention and resolves hardenings | Turbid Phlegm Obstructing the Qi with focal distention and fullness in the chest and epigastrium |
Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions
| CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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| INCOMPATIBILITIES |
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| HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
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Major Combinations
| Qi Tonics | Cx. Magnoliae | Cx. Magnoliae |
Gastrectasis, gastroptosis, rectal prolapse, or uterine prolapse. | Distention, swelling and pain due to Food Stagnation and Qi Stagnation. Patients recovering from chronic illness with epigastric fullness and distention. | Abdominal distention, pain and fullness from Heat clumping with the stool. Constipation with abdominal fullness and pain. |
| Cx. Magnoliae | Rx. et Rz. Rhei | Fr. Crataegi |
Focal distention and fullness in the upper epigastrium, lack of appetite, fatigue and weakness from a Cold-Heat complex secondary to Spleen and Stomach Deficiency. | Constipation and abdominal swelling due to Food and Qi Stagnation. Diarrhea, dysentery and abdominal pain due to Damp-Heat. | Focal distention, swelling and pain along with foul-smelling belching associated with Food Stagnation and Qi Obstruction. |
| Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae | Rx. et Rz. Rhei | Rx. Paeoniae Alba |
Distention in the epigastrium and abdomen due to Spleen and Stomach Deficiency with Food Stagnation. | Dysenteric diarrhea with tenesmus due to Damp-Heat, especially due to Food Stagnation transforming into Damp-Heat. | Abdominal pain due to Qi and Blood Stagnation. |
Bul. Allii | Fr. Gardeniae | Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis |
Painful chest with epigastric distention due to Upper Jiao Yang Deficiency with Phlegm-Cold Obstructing the chest. | A stifling sensation and distention in the epigastrium with feverishness after a febrile disease. | Epigastric distention and fullness, anorexia and fatigue due to a Cold-Heat complex obstructing the Qi and leading to Damp Accumulation. |
Per. Citri Reticulatae | Fr. Aurantii | Caulis Bambusae in Taeniam |
Strengthens the Middle Jiao. | Strongly promotes Qi flow and breaks up clumps, unblocks both upper and lower parts of the trunk to stop wheezing due to Phlegm, eliminate focal distention and alleviate tenesmus. | Phlegm-Heat obstructing the flow of Qi with focal distention in the chest and epigastrium, hiccup, dry retching, nausea and acid regurgitation. Palpitations, irritability, insomnia and emotional problems due to Gallbladder constraint with Phlegm Disturbing the Heart. |
Fr. Gardeniae | Rx. Aucklandiae | Rx. Bupleuri |
Feelings of Heat in the body. | Abdominal fullness, Gas, Irregular bowel movements, Pain. | Cholecystitis. |
Notes
- More recently, this herb has been used to raise blood pressure.
- It is a frequent ingredient in diuretic and purgative formulas.
- Zhi Shi is the immature fruit, while the ripe fruit is called Fr. Aurantii Zhi Ke. The two work synergistically.
- Its descending action is powerful.
- The husk, Zhi Qiao, comes from a larger fruit and acts more gently. It is used for patients with Yin deficiency.
- Its main use is for Qi Stagnation in the Spleen/Stomach.
- It is used when stagnant Qi is hot in nature.
- It is also suitable for Stagnation in the chest and upper back.
- At a moderate dosage, it can be used to treat allergies.
- Zhi Shi and Fr. Aurantii Zhi Ke 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.
- Dry-fried unripe Bitter Orange Chao Zhi Shi is a little warmer and less strong, so it can be used for both Hot and Cold disorders.
- Dry-fried Goose-Eyed Unripe Bitter Orange Chao E Yan Zhi Shi is a little stronger than Chao Zhi Shi.
- Charred Unripe Bitter orange Zhi Shi Tan is a little less cold, enters the Blood level to stop bleeding, and is frequently used for Qi Blockage that involves bleeding, such as Intestinal Wind.
From Class
- Trichosanthes seed (Gua Lou Ren) & phlegm via the colon: Gua Lou seed moistens stool so phlegm leaves via the colon; Chen Pi regulates qi upward, Zhi Shi purges downward, Fu Ling strengthens Spleen. (Yuen)