Chen Pi - Tangerine Peel
TCM Materia Medica
Chen Pi TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "chen pi" which in english is "tangerine peel", is categorized within the "herbs that regulate the qi" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the lung, spleen and stomach channels and exhibits acrid, aromatic, bitter (ku) and warm (wen) taste/temperature properties.
Dosages and preparations will vary according to each individual and the overall approach of a formula, but generally this herb has the following dosage and/or preparation guidelines:
- Dosage: 3-9g
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Regulates Qi, improves transportive function of the spleen, relieves diaphragm - epigastric/abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, nausea, vomiting (promotes movement of qi in general; specifically directing it downward - good for different types of nausea/vomiting).
- Important herb for drying dampness and the transformation of phlegm - coughs with stifling sensation in the chest/diaphragm, and copious viscous sputum (qi-level herb).
- Prevents stagnation - prevents cloying of tonifying herbs.
- Ju Hong is the red part of the tangerine peel - it is more drying and aromatic.
While it may not always be included depending on the manufacturer or herbalist making the formula, chen pi is generally included in the following 28 formulas:
ViewBan Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Wan (Pinellia, Atractylodis and Gastrodia Combination)
Nausea with possible vomitting from combination of damp with liver qi stagnation causing rebellious qi. Dizziness, migraines, and vertigo from damp and liver wind rising. Heavy or oppressed sensati…
ViewBan Xia Xie Xin Wan (Pinellia Drain Epigastrium Pills)
Distension and fullness of the epigastrium usually without pain. Borborygmus (gurgling sounds), and diarrhea if spleen qi is affected. Vomiting with possible dry heaves due to rebellious stomach qi…
ViewBao He Wan (Preserve Harmony Pills)
Epigastric and or abdominal fullness or painful distention after meals. Acid reflux, belching, vomiting with possible aversion to food due to food stagnation. This formula can also be used for acut…
ViewBa Wei Dai Xia Fang (Eight Herb Powder for Vaginal Discharge)
Clearing damp heat in the lower warmer, particularly with underlying blood deficiency - vaginal disharge, vaginal itching, vaginal inflammation along with constipation, possibly anemia, low back pain…
ViewBu Zhong Yi Qi Wan (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Formula)
Coldness of the limbs, borborygmus with loose stools or diarrhea due to spleen yang deficiency. Spontaneous or easy sweating, general fatigue, changes in appetite due to spleen qi deficiency. Pale …
ViewChai Hu Shu Gan Wan (Bupleurum Powder to Spread the Liver)
Liver qi stagnation signs - hypochondriac tension, abdominal pain, IBS symptoms Alternating chills and fever.
ViewChen Xiang Hua Qi Wan (Aquilaria Qi Transforming Pills)
For spleen qi deficiency with damp heat accumulation in the lower. The spleen system is effectively the western version of the digestive system. The spleen is responsible for extracting the energy …
ViewDing Chuan Wan (Calm Wheezing Pills)
Directs the lung qi downward and clears phlegm heat from the lungs. Typically used for the condition of wind cold blocking the exterior with internal accumulation of phlegm heat - which may involve …
ViewEr Chen He San Zi Yang Qin Wan (Two Aged Herbs & Three Seeds Nursing Pills)
Modified version of er chen wan - formula for clearing phlegm in both acute and chronic cases - seasonal colds and flus with phlegm, chronic wet cough, sinus issues and more physical signs such as di…
ViewFang Feng Tong Sheng Wan (Ledebouriella Pills to Sagely Unblock)
High fever with aversion to cold. Thick phlegm that may be both in sinus and chest. Vertigo or dizziness that is caused by excess heat. Rashes, carbuncles, and other types of skin disorders that…
ViewHui Chun Wan (Recovery Special Pill)
Most often used for childhood convulsions (possibly with wheezing, nausea, nighttime crying, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive mucus/saliva) or other conditions that involve fever, impaired or loss of …
ViewHuo Xiang Zheng Qi Wan (Agastache Powder to Correct the Qi)
Acute flu or cold symptoms including fever, aversion to cold, headaches, sinus pressure, runny nose. Vomitting and diarrhea from interior damp with possible abdominal cramps or pains.
ViewJian Pi Wan (Strengthen Spleen Pills)
For stomach and spleen qi deficiency with dampness that has potentially generated mild interior-heat - diarrhea, abdominal pain, poor appetite, epigastric pain. May be used in early pregnancy for mo…
ViewMu Xiang Shun Qi Wan (Saussurea Qi Promoting Pills)
Bloating, lower abdominal pain, sluggish bowels. Acid reflux/heartburn, nausea with possible vomitting after meals.
ViewPing Gan Liu Qi Yin Wan (Dang Gui And Pinellia Combination)
Liver qi stagnation with blood deficiency heat - signs of heat, red eyes, possibly anxiety and/or irritability, etc. along with digestive issues such as gastritis, cirrhosis, cholecystitis, hernia.…
ViewPing Wei Wan (Calm the Stomach Powder)
Damp cold stagnation in the middle jiao - poor appetite, indigestion, gastritis, loose stools, heavy sensation of the limbs, fatigue. Can be used to induce labor with appropriate underlying diagnose…
ViewPu Ji Xiao Du Wan (Universal Benefit Decoction To Eliminate Toxin)
Acute febrile disorder (wind-heat & damp-phlegm) of the head - strong fever and chills, burning pain of head and face, red and/or swollen eyes, sore throat, aversion to cold, dryness, thirst. …
ViewQing Fei Wan (Clear The Lungs Decoction)
Clears heat and phlegm and replenishes lung yin - chronic cough, generally with thicker yellow mucus, sore throat. With the right factors aspiration pneumonia, pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis,…
ViewQing Qi Hua Tan Wan (Clear the Qi and Transform Phlegm Pill)
Cough with thick yellow or green phlegm, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and possible fullness of the chest due to damp heat accumulation in the lungs.
ViewQing Shu Yi Qi Tang Wan (Clear Summer Heat and Augment the Qi)
Please note that there are two formulas with the same name but slightly different compositions. One is from Wang's Wen Re Jing Wei and tonifies the yin more strongly, the other (which is the one dis…
ViewRen Shen Yang Rong Wan (Ginseng Decoction to Nourish the Nutritive Qi)
Tonifies both qi and blood and nourishes the heart and calms the spirit - generally used for weakness from longer term or deep diseases such as cancer and for a host of other conditions affecting a b…
ViewShu Gan Wan (Liver Comfort Pills)
Abdominal and/or Hypochondriac pain, cramps or spasms resulting from liver qi stagnation. Alternating chills and fever. Nausea, bloating, acid reflux, alternating stools, or IBS like symptoms cause…
ViewShu Jing Huo Xue Wan (Relax The Channels and Invigorate The Blood Decoction)
Primarily used for blood stasis with wind-damp in the channels and collaterals characterized by internal deficiency with external excesses - joint pain, muscle aches, numbness and/or pain in the lowe…
ViewTong Xie Yao Fang Wan (Important Pills for Painful Diarrhea / Calm Wind Pills)
Diarrhea, particularly with abdominal cramping. Diarrhea with alternating constipation.
ViewWen Dan Wan (Warm the Gallbladder Formula)
Anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other shen disturbances caused by phlegm misting the mind. Seizures, convulsions or other types of involuntary muscle contractions that are caused by phlegm and he…
ViewXian Fang Huo Ming Yin Wan (Immortals Formula For Sustaining Life)
Generally for short-term use with early stage heat toxins - sores, carbuncles, boils, styes, acne. Swollen and painful skin lesions with other heat signs (chills/fever). Breast abscesses, mastitis…
ViewXiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Wan (Aucklandia, Amomi & Six Gentlemen Pills)
A modified version of the base, zhi zhu wan, which is used to treat qi stagnation and food retention from qi deficiency. This modification includes herbs which add more movement and damp drying. Di…
ViewXiang Sha Yang Wei Wan (Aucklandia Amomi Nurture Stomach Pills)
Low appetite, apathy towards eating due to spleen qi deficiency. Acid reflux, indigestion, epigastric pain, tendency to feel full even with small quantities of food. Food stagnation due to overeati…
As noted above, chen pi is within the herbs that regulate the qi functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.
(truncated intro "... used with qi disorders involving deficiency and stagnation. these herbs are primarily used for stagnation involving the spleen and stomach, constrained liver qi, and stagnant lung qi. )".
All Content 1999-2025
Chad J. Dupuis / Yin Yang House
Our Policies and Privacy Guidelines
Our Affiliated Clinics