INDIVIDUAL HERBS

Pharmaceutical Latin: Fructus Aurantii Immaturus
Common English: Immature Bitter Orange
Unripe Bitter Orange
Chih-Shih
Ponciri
Citrus
Herbs that Regulate Qi
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 Indications/Syndromes

Breaks up Stagnant Qi, reduces accumulation, descends Qi, unblocks the bowels and removes Stagnant Food

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
  • Use caution during pregnancy.
  • Use caution if Qi is weak.
  • Use caution for those with Stomach Deficiency Cold.
  • Use caution for those with gastric or peptic ulcers.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • Concurrent use with diuretics such as chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, furmoside (Lasix), bumetinide (Bumex) and torsemide (Demadex) may lead to increased elimination of water and/or electrolytes.

Qi Tonics

Cx. Magnoliae
Hou Po

Cx. Magnoliae
Hou Po
Rx. et Rz. Rhei
Da Huang

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
Hou Po
Rz. Coptidis
Huang Lian
Rz. Pinelliae Preparata
Zhi Ban Xia

Rx. et Rz. Rhei
Da Huang

Fr. Crataegi
Shan Zha
Massa Medicata Fermentata
Shen Qu
(Fr. Hordei Germinatus)
(Mai Ya)

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
Bai Zhu
(Caul. Perillae)
(Zi Su Geng)

Rx. et Rz. Rhei
Da Huang
Rx. Scutellariae
Huang Qin
(Rz. Coptidis)
(Huang Lian)

Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao

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
Xie Bai
Ram. Cinnamomi
Gui Zhi

(Sm. Trichosanthis)
(Gua Lou Ren)

Fr. Gardeniae
Zhi Zi

Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis
Hou Po
Rz. Pinelliae Preparata
Zhi Ban Xia
Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae
Bai Zhu

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
Chen Pi

Fr. Aurantii
Zhi Ke

Caulis Bambusae in Taeniam
Zhu Ru

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
Zhi Zi
Sm. Sojae Preparata
Dan Dou Chi

Rx. Aucklandiae
Mu Xiang
Sm. Arecae
Bing Lang
Massa Medicata Fermentata
Shen Qu

Rx. Bupleuri
Chai Hu
Rx. Scutellariae
Huang Qin
Rz. Pinelliae Preparata
Zhi Ban Xia

Feelings of Heat in the body.

Abdominal fullness, pain, gas, and irregular bowel movements.

Cholecystitis.

  1. This herb has recently used to raise blood pressure.
  2. It is often used in purgative and diuretic formulas.
  3. Zhi Shi is the unripe fruit. The ripe fruit is called Fr. Aurantii Zhi Ke. The two are used synergistically.
  4. The descending action of this herb is intense.
  5. The husk Zhi Qiao is from a larger fruit and is gentler in action. It is used for Yin deficiency patients.
  6. This herb is primarily used for Stagnation of Qi in the Spleen/Stomach.
  7. This herb is used for stagnant Qi that is hot in nature.
  8. This herb is also appropriate for Stagnation in the chest and upper back.
  9. Using a moderate dosage, this herb can treat allergies.
  10. Both Zhi Shi and Fr. Aurantii Zhi Ke are the same fruit at different stages of development. Zhi Shi is unripe and Zhi Ke is almost ripe. Both break up Qi , disperse clumps and Phlegm and reduce focal distention. Zhi Ke governs the upper trunk, including disorders of the chest, diaphragm, skin and body hair while Zhi Shi governs the lower trunk, including disorders of the Heart, abdomen, Spleen and Stomach. Its nature is violent and excels at thrusting downward, while Zhi Ke is gentler and slower in promoting the movement of Qi through the chest, diaphragm, Lungs, Stomach and Large Intestine.
  11. Dry-fried unripe Bitter Orange Chao Zhi Shi is slightly warmer and not so strong in nature and can be used in both Hot and Cold disorders.
  12. Dry-fried Goose-Eyed Unripe Bitter Orange Chao E Yan Zhi Shi is slightly stronger than Chao Zhi Shi.
  13. Charred Unripe Bitter orange Zhi Shi Tan is slightly less cold and enters the Blood level to stop bleeding and is often used for Qi Blockage associated with bleeding such as Intestinal Wind.