Orange / Orange Peel
Orange / Orange Peel (Chen Pi, Qing Pi, Zhi Shi)
Botanical Name: Pericarpium citri reticulata. Mandarin Oranges / Chen Pi – Citrus reticulata. Bitter Orange (AKA Seville Oranges) / Zhi Shi – Citrus sinensis, Citrus aurantantium.
Oranges bring good luck, are loaded with Vitamin C and the peels are super high in nutrients. There are many different varietals of oranges that are used to make orange peel, but all of them help build and move Qi (Energy) in the body. They are a powerful and tasty herb often used in combination with other herbs to improve the overall taste of herbal remedies and lend strength to the formula.
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Western
Western Name: Orange / Orange Peel
Also Known As: Chen Pi – Tangerine Peel, Citrus, Mandarin Oranges. Qing Pi – Chinese Unripened Orange Peel. Zhi Shi – Immature or Bitter Orange.
Organs/Systems: Lungs, Digestion
Key Actions: Antiseptic, Anti-inflammatory, Expectorant, Antifungal, Aromatic, Bitter Tonic, Catarrh, Stimulant, Relaxant, Diuretic, Analgesic, Antibacterial
Medicinal Uses: Weight loss, diarrhea, indigestion, obesity, athletic performance, raise blood pressure, cholesterol, colds, coughs, stress, chronic fatigue, depression, poor circulation, spasms, skin infections, acne, hypertension, anxiety, low libido, cleansing, constipation.
Eastern
Pin Yin: Chen Pi (Citrus reticulata / Tangerine Peel), Qing Pi (Unripened Green Tangerine Peel), Zhi Shi (Citrus aurantantium / Immature Fruit of Bitter Orange)
Also Known As: Chen Pi – Translates as, “Aged Peel.” Qing Pi – Translates as, “Green Peel.” Zhi Shi – Translates as, “Immature or Bitter Orange.”
Meridians: Chen Pi – Lung, Spleen, Stomach. Qing Pi – Gallbladder, Liver, Stomach. Zhi Shi – Large Intestine, Spleen, Stomach.
Key Actions: Chen Pi – Regulates Qi, Supports the Middle Jiao, Supports Spleen Qi, Dries Damp, Transforms Phlegm, Helps Prevent Stagnation. Qing Pi – Spreads Liver Qi, Dissipates Clumps, Dries Dampness, Raises Blood Pressure. Zhi Shi – Reduces Accumulation, Directs Qi Downward, Unblocks the Bowels, Expels Distention, Used with Qi-Tonifying Herbs, Raises Blood Pressure.
Medicinal Uses: Chen Pi – bloating, nausea, fullness, belching, vomiting, damp coughs with heavy chested feeling, congestion, copious viscous phlegm, loss of appetite, fatigue, loose stools, used with tonifying herbs to prevent stagnation caused by the use of sweet-tasting herbs. Qing Pi – pain in the chest, breast, or hypochondriac regions, food stagnation with epigastric pain or distension, malarial disorders, especially useful for breast abscesses. Zhi Shi – abdominal pain, distention, gas, constipation, Qi stagnation caused by accumulation, fullness in the chest, rectal prolapse, uterine prolapse.
Basic Habitat / Botany:
A member of the Sweet Orange rutaceae Family. Orange trees are evergreen with grayish-brown barks that can grow to be 15 ft to 25 ft tall. Old trees may grow to be 50 ft tall. The trees often form the shape of a hemisphere. They have glossy, dark green leaves that are oval and about 3-4 inches long. Orange flowers are small, white, and fragrant, growing in clusters of 2-6.
Believed to be native to China and then cultivated across the globe.
Parts Most Frequently Used: Peel (Picked at the ripe stage and then dried.), Fruit, Leaf, Flower, and Juice
Flavors/Temps: Chen Pi – Acrid, Bitter, Warm, Aromatic. Qing Pi – Bitter, Acrid, Warm. Zhi Shi – Bitter, Acrid, Slightly Cold.
Caution: Generally safe when used in regular doses.
Key Constituents: Flavonoids (including Hesperidin and Polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), Phytonutrients, Vitamin C, B1, and A, Choline, Folic Acid, d-Limonene, a-Pinene, Citronellol, Synephrine, Linalool, Alpha-carotene, Beta-carotene, Aldehydes, Copper, Calcium, Magnesium, Enzymes, Fiber, Pectin. High content of Bioflavonoids.
History/Folklore: All species help move Qi stagnation. Mandarin Orange Peel (Chen Pi) is a better anti-inflammatory, carminative, and tonic. The Unripe Green Orange Peel (Qing Pi) is a cholagogue and carminative. Bitter Orange Peel (Zhi Shi) moves Qi stagnation, stimulates, expectorates, and is a stomach digestive. Another species is tangerine with the Latin name, Citrus tangerina.
Chen Pi (Citrus reticulata / orange peel) has been used in China since the second century B.C. The bulk of the nutrients are in the peel and not the orange fruit itself. Grated orange peel is added to candies, breads, and bakery goods.
It is often added to herbal formulas to improve their taste and help build Q. Chen pi is considered an important herb for both the Spleen and Lung meridians.
Orange Flower Water is used on dry skin and broken capillaries to stimulate new cell growth and as a sedative due to its calming effects.
According to historical sources, Christopher Columbus carried orange seeds with him during his expedition to the Americas. In the 16th century, Portuguese explorers introduced orange trees to the West, and in 1513, Ponce de Leon, the Spanish explorer introduced oranges to Florida, in the United States. The orange has come to be known as the oldest and most commonly grown fruit tree in the world.
Orange peels contain higher concentrations of nutrition and healing compounds than the fruit does, and the fruit is powerfully nutritious and healing.
The compound synephrine, found in bitter orange peel, is a banned substance by the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association).
Bitter orange oil is used as a food flavoring agent in liqueurs (Cointreau, Triple Sec, and Grand Marnier) and marmalades. The fruit is so sour and bitter it is rarely eaten, except in Iran and Mexico where the dried peel is also used as a seasoning.
Good quality orange peel is in large pieces, thin-skinned, pliable, red in color, oily, and aromatic. It will first taste a bit sweet and then bitter.
Oranges are a symbol of love, marriage, joy, and happiness. Tangerines and oranges are an auspicious symbol during the Chinese New Year celebrations as the sound of the words for “luck” and “wealth” are very similar to the word for “orange.” The bright orange color also suggests the color of gold, so it is also a symbol for good luck and prosperity. A bowl of oranges is believed to bring good fortune. Orange trees will often be placed at the doorways of offices and businesses to attract good fortune.
In Greek mythology, the Golden Apple (believed to have been an orange), was the indirect cause of the Trojan War. Eris, the goddess of discord had not been invited to the wedding of Peleus and the sea nymph. In anger, she threw the golden apple, with the inscription that only the most beautiful could claim it, into the ceremony. The goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite all claimed it, bringing it to Zeus to decide which of them was the fairest. To avoid trouble, Zeus assigned the task to Paris of Troy. Each goddess appeared naked before him and bribed him to choose one of them. Paris chose Aphrodite as she promised him the love of the world’s most beautiful women, and thereby starting the Trojan War as Helen, the most beautiful was already married to King Menelaus.
Want Orange / Orange Peel (Chen Pi, Qing Pi, Zhi Shi)?
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Golden Apples
Oranges are believed to be native to the Far East and are the fruit that has been called the Golden Apples of Mythological fame.
Used in Cosmetics
Many cosmetics use the peel in cut form or powder form. It was used as a snuff to prevent allergies.
Symbol of Fertility
Oranges can produce flowers and fruit at the same time so they have become a symbol of fertility.
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