Citrus tangerina. C. erythrosa  柑 橘 Gān jú  Tangerine  Family: Rutaceae  
橘 果 Jú guǒ Fruit    
 Tangerines are smaller than common oranges and closely related to the Mandarin- Citrus reticulata, and are usually easier to peel and to split into segments. The taste is considered to be sweeter, but stronger tasting, than that of an orange. A ripe tangerine is firm to slightly soft, heavy for its size, and pebbly-skinned with no deep grooves, as well as orange in color.
Nature- cool   FLAVOR: Sweet-sour    CHANNEL: Lung, Spleen, Stomach
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Qi Regulating
1.  Increase appetite, regulate Qi. Promoting the function of Stomach and regulating the flow of Qi. Promotes energy circulation.[3]
2. Quench thirst., moisturise the Lung.[2,4] Relieves coughing.[3]
INDICATIONS
1. Used to treat accumulation of Qi in the chest., and diaphragm, vomiting., and poor appetite.
2. Insufficiency of Stomach Yin, dry mouth and thirst.
3. Cough due to retention of pathogenic Heat in the Lung and excessive drinking.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Cough with sputum in common colds.[2] Cough caused by Wind Cold or phlegm retention should not take it.[4] Cough from common cold and edema.[4]
PREPARATIONS: Eat is raw after peeling, or squeeze its juice out for oral administration.[4]

- Relieve indigestion and help digestion- Eat a half ripe Tangerine.[3]
- Thirst from fever and dry thoat, and to relieve a hangover- Drink fresh tangerine juice.[4]
- Cough with yellowish mucous discharge- Steam 2 unpeeled tangerines with 30 g rock sugar; eat the tangerines at bedtime.[4]
陳 皮 Chén pí- Chen pi is aged (cured) to increase the spicy flavor and eliminate secondary effects. Generally, the older the Chen pi, the higher the quality and the more effective.[8] Commonly sold Chen pi is 3 years old.
Tangerine peel  or Mandarin peel  Family Rutaceae    
Tangerine peels are mostly sun dried.
Nature- warm  FLAVOR: Bitter, acrid, pungent  CHANNEL: Spleen, Lung
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Qi Regulating - More for stagnant Qi of Spleen/Stomach.[1,2,3]
1. Transform Dampness, and eliminate Phlegm.[1,2,3,7]
2. Lower the rising energy, and stop vomiting. Strengthen Stomach.[7] and Spleen.[1] Stop vomiting.[7] Stop hiccough.[7] Corrects Qi circulation.[7]
3. Relieve local infection.
4. Disperse Wind.[7]
INDICATIONS
1. Stomach Cold and stagnation of Vital Energy with fullness and pain in the abdomen and vomiting:[1] Fullness in the chest and abdomen. Regurgitation and vomiting.[1]
2. Spleen Deficiency and stagnation of Vital Energy with poor appetite:[7] Loose stool. Fullness of the abdomen. Chest and abdominal pains, indigestion, diarrhea.[1] Nausea and vomiting. For vomiting due to Stomach Cold, or Cold Deficiency of Spleen/Stomach or Stomach Heat.
3. Dampness retention condition involving Spleen Yang deficiency: fullness of the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, poor appetite and loose stool.
4. Phlegm Dampness condition with productive cough,[1,2,3,7] and thin expectoration.
5. Carbuncle, especially for acute mastitis.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Dry cough or vomiting of blood.[4]
PATENT COMBINATIONS
PREPARATIONS:Decoction 3-9 g,[1,4,7] 30-40 g for relieving local infection.[4] Dried ripe fruit peel 3-9 g.[2]
- Relieve vomiting- Boil 6 g dried tangerine peels with 3 g fresh ginger in water; drink a cup of the juice each time, twice a day.[4]
- Relieve vomiting and diarrhea- Chew 1 small tangerine cake slowly, like chewing gum, each 4 hours- Tangerine cakes can be by by spreading fresh tangerines in the sun until half dry. Press to flatten them; soak the flat tangerines in syrup to make tangerine cakes.[4]
橘 皮 Jú pí Tangerine fresh dried skin  
COMPARISON: Ju pi vs. Chen pi:
Ju pi is the recent skin, while Chen pi is the aged skin.
Ju pi is very drying and acrid, more draining and irritating to the stomach. Chen pi is moderate and more efficient. Chen pi is preferred for use in clinical practice.[8]
橘 紅 Jú hóng- Just the red part of the peel- outermost peel- rind  
Nature- warm   FLAVOR: Acrid, bitter  CHANNELS: Lung, Stomach
• Similar to Chen pi, but more drying and aromatic than Chen pi and less effective at harmonizing the middle and regulating the stomach and spleen.[8]
• Resolves phlegm, dispels wind-cold[8].
• Primarily used for vomiting, belching, phlegm-damp coughs.[8]
DY: Scatters cold, rectifies the Qi; resolves the exterior; dries dampness, transforms phlegm; disperses food stagnation and distention.
• With Zi wan to effectively dry dampness and transform phlegm without drying the Lungs, rectify the Qi, and stop cough. For indications such as:
– 1. Cough with profuse phlegm and chest oppression due to accumulation of phlegm and Qi stagnating in the Lungs.[8]
– 2. Cough with itchy throat, low grade fever, fear of cold, and profuse phlegm due to wind evils attacking the Lungs.[8]
PATENT COMBINATIONS
青 皮 Qīng pí   Skin of green Tangerine or Mandarin peel        
Nature: Warm     FLAVOR: Bitter, arid, pungent   CHANNEL: Liver, Stomach, Spleen, Gall Bladder,
FUNCTIONS- similar to Chen pi, though stronger in regulating Qi
GROUP: Qi Regulating
1. Disperse stagnant Liver Energy.[1,2,4,7] Alleviate pain.[7] Breaks up coagulation of energy.[1,7] Activate vital energy circulation. Loosens up stagnant energy.[1]
2. Promote digestion and relieve dyspepsia.
3. Diaphoretic, scatters Cold.[7]
INDICATIONS
1. Stagnation of Liver Energy with hypochondriac pain, lump and pain of the breast and swelling and pain of testis. Epigastric pain, hepatic congestion, pain in chest and sides, distension, hernia, breast congestion, chronic malaria.[1] Chest swelling and pain.
2. Distension and pain of the epigastrium due to Liver and Stomach disharmony:[7] indigestion and gas retention, mass and pain of the hypochondrium and upper abdomen due to stagnation of blood and Vital Energy. Abdominal pain due to indigestion. Pain in chest and ribs.
3. Recently, used for hepatic and biliary diseases and fibrous hyperplasia of breast. Mastitis. Hernia.
4. Good in external trauma when Qji knotted in one place.[7]
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Qi deficiency and excessive sweating, as Qing pi disperses energy.[7]
PATENT COMBINATIONS
COMPARISON: Compared to Qing pi, Chen pi has a more harmonious nature and tends to enter the Qi level of the spleen and Lungs. Its actions are primarily vertical and it is therefore used for both coughing and vomiting. Qing pi, on the other hand, has scattering and unblocking properties that are relatively harsh; it is accordingly prescribed for breaking up Qi stagnation. Its actions are more horizontal and it is therefore used primarily for pain.[8]
PREPARATIONS: Decoction.  Unripe peel 3-9 g.[1,2,4] 3-6 g.[7]
- Lumps, carbuncles, swelling on breast due to Qi congestion. Use with Honeysuckle- Jin yhin hua and Dandelion- Pu gong yin.[7]
橘 子 种 子 Jú zi zhǒng zǐ  Tangerine seeds    
Nature- neutral FLAVOR: Bitter
PREPARATIONS:
- Relieve pain and swelling in mastitis- Boil 15 g tangerine seeds in a mixture of half water and half wine. Drink a cup of the juice each time, 3 times a day.[4]
- Hernial pain, swelling and pain in testes, and lumbago- Fry until yellowish 30 g tangerine seeds and grind them; mix the powder with a quarter cup rice wine. Drink the juice twice a day.[4]
References
  Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.