Poncirus trifoliata vs Petasites japonicus

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Poncirus trifoliata

Digestive

Digestive

Poncirus trifoliata

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Petasites japonicus

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Cold-hardy citrus relative; immature fruit (Zhi Shi and Zhi Ke) essential TCM herbs for digestion and stagnation.

Japanese edible plant with large leaves; young stalks eaten as vegetable; traditional use for cough and pain.

Active Compounds

naringenin, hesperidin, flavonoids, limonoids, synephrine, essential oils

petasin, furanopetasin, flavonoids, pyrrolizidine alkaloids

Traditional Uses

digestive stagnation, constipation, chest tightness, phlegm, poor digestion

cough, constipation, pain relief, food source (fuki)

Modern Uses

digestive stimulant, prokinetic, expectorant, qi-moving in TCM

antispasmodic, digestive support, traditional food

Adult Dosage

3-10g dried immature fruit tea 2x/day

Young stalks as food; PA-free extract for medicinal use

Contraindications

pregnancy, spleen deficiency with no stagnation, hypotension

pyrrolizidine alkaloids in raw plant, pregnancy

Side Effects

GI cramps, hypotension

liver toxicity if PA not removed

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E