← Reference library
    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Master Spleen-Regulating, Damp-Drying & Phlegm-Liquefying Monarch (理气健脾 / 燥湿化痰降逆止呕疏肝和胃降血脂抗脂肪肝治胸脘胀满食少吐泻咳嗽痰多 — 神农本草经上品陈皮 / 历代调气化痰第一药皇 / 经典名方二陈汤与平胃散核心君药)

    橘 / 柑 / 陈皮 / 广陈皮 / 新会陈皮 / 橘红 / 青皮 — Citrus reticulata Blanco (syn. Citrus nobilis, Citrus deliciosa)

    Pinyin: Chénpí / Guǎng Chénpí / Xīnhuì Chénpí · Malay: Limau Mandarin / Kulit Limau Kering / Kulit Limau Manis / Mandarin Orange / Aged Tangerine Peel / Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae · Family: Rutaceae (芸香科 / 柑橘属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Warm (温 / 辛苦温芳香)

    Flavor

    Pungent, bitter, warm, intensely aromatic (辛、苦、温、气极芳香清醇甘冽)

    Meridians

    Spleen (脾), Lung (肺)

    Traditional Edict

    Aged Tangerine Peel / Guang Chen Pi (Limau Mandarin / Chen Pi / Guang Chen Pi / Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae). Symmetrical 3-lobed aged dark cinnamon peel. Supreme Grade of Shennong Bencao Jing: Core monarch of Er Chen Tang to regulate Spleen-Lung Qi, dry dampness, liquefy copious phlegm.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Distinguished from Qing Pi (Chen Pi warms Spleen and harmonizes Qi; Qing Pi violently breaks Liver Qi). Exceptional clinical, culinary, maternal, and pediatric safety profile. Safe in pregnancy and lactation.

    Clinical Applications

    • Chronic productive cough and bronchitis (airway MUC5AC mucin gene suppression via Hesperidin >= 3.00% and Nobiletin), functional dyspepsia and epigastric bloating (Ping Wei San), and non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD).

    Quality Markers

    Hesperidin (橙皮苷) >= 3.00%-4.50% (HPLC Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard), Nobiletin >= 0.50% & Tangeretin >= 0.35%

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Hesperidin and nobiletin downregulate goblet cell MUC5AC mucin expression and stimulate ciliary expectoration. 2. Polymethoxyflavones activate hepatic AMPK, reducing triglycerides by >35%.

    Preparation & Dosage

    CLASSICAL ER CHEN TANG (Master Phlegm Formula): 10 g aged Guang Chen Pi with Fa Ban Xia (10 g), Fu Ling (10 g), and Zhi Gan Cao (4 g) decocted in 600 mL water. Food stagnation tea: 6 g aged peel steeped with Shan Zha (10 g). Aging requirement: minimum 3 years (up to 50+ years).

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Immortal Phlegm-Transforming & Spleen-Harmonizing Draught (Er Chen Tang) with Pinellia and Poria. 2. Spleen-Awakening & Food-Stagnation Clearance Tea with Crataegus (Shan Zha).

    Enter your email to unlock the full clinical data and formulation notes.

    No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only