Fresh Tangerine Peel (Citrus reticulata var. deliciosa): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does fresh tangerine peel work for liver qi stagnation?

Fresh tangerine peel contains d-limonene, hesperidin, and synephrine, which work through multiple pathways. D-limonene promotes digestive motility and relaxes smooth muscle, while synephrine has mild adrenergic activity. These compounds help break up liver qi stagnation by promoting gastrointestinal movement and reducing abdominal distension. Evidence Level: C (preclinical and traditional use data).

Does fresh tangerine peel interact with any medications?

Fresh tangerine peel contains synephrine, which may interact with MAO inhibitors, stimulants, and certain cardiovascular medications. The synephrine content can potentially increase blood pressure and heart rate when combined with other stimulants or sympathomimetic drugs. Patients taking blood pressure medications, antidepressants, or stimulants should consult a healthcare provider before use. Evidence Level: C.

What is the recommended dosage for fresh tangerine peel?

The standard adult dosage for fresh tangerine peel is 3-10 grams of dried material, typically prepared as a decoction. Fresh peel may require slightly higher amounts due to water content. It is generally taken as part of a TCM formula rather than as a single herb. Consult a qualified practitioner for personalized dosing. Evidence Level: Traditional.

Is fresh tangerine peel safe during pregnancy?

Fresh tangerine peel is considered unsafe during pregnancy. The herb forcefully breaks qi stagnation and contains synephrine, which may stimulate uterine contractions or affect fetal circulation. Pregnant women should avoid this herb and consult a qualified practitioner for safer alternatives for digestive complaints. Evidence Level: Traditional/C.

What is fresh tangerine peel used for in TCM?

Fresh tangerine peel is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to forcefully break liver qi stagnation, disperse clumps, reduce distension, and support digestive motility. It is primarily indicated for liver qi constraint with symptoms such as abdominal bloating, pain, and digestive stagnation. Unlike dried citrus peel (Chen Pi), the fresh form has a stronger breaking action. Evidence Level: C.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 12 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride (Qing Pi) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb used for Qi-regulation and the treatment of anxiety and depression [PMID:38735421].

Background

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride, also known as Qing Pi or green tangerine peel, is a plant in the Rutaceae family [PMID:38735421]. It is categorized into different commodity specifications, such as Si Hua Qing Pi (SHQP) and Ge Qing Pi (GQP), based on harvesting time [PMID:33977590].

Traditional uses

It is used as a traditional Qi-regulating medicine in Chinese medicine and has extensive clinical practice in treating anxiety and depression [PMID:38735421].

Active compounds

The herb contains biologically valuable flavonoids [PMID:33977590], specifically polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs) including nobiletin (40.5%), tangeretin (45.6%), 5-demethylnobiletin (8.7%), and sinensetin (1.7%) [PMID:17367982]. Other identified compounds include hesperidin, neohesperidin, and naringenin [PMID:12212096, PMID:41475204].

Mechanism of action

Qing Pi essential oil may improve anxiety-like behavior by regulating Glu/NMDAR on the olfactory bulb [PMID:38735421]. Its pharmacological benefits are attributed to antioxidant capacities and neuroprotective effects [PMID:38735421]. Certain polymethoxylated flavonoids in the peel are noted for strong antitumor activity [PMID:35668040].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DAnxiety

Essential oil of Citri Reticulata Pericarpium Viride was evaluated for its ability to improve anxiety-like behavior via Glu/NMDAR regulation in animal models [PMID:38735421]

Evidence BChronic viral hepatitis B with compensated liver cirrhosis

Green tangerine peel was used as a component of the Xiaozhang Recipe (XR) in a clinical trial to assess efficacy alongside lamivudine [PMID:22013800]

Evidence summary

The evidence consists primarily of phytochemical profiling and animal-based pharmacological studies (Level D), with limited clinical trial data (Level B) where the herb is used as part of a multi-ingredient formula.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 33977590 (2021) — Simultaneous quantitative analysis of ten bioactive flavonoids in Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride (Qing Pi) by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry combined with chemometric methods. · Phytochemical analysis : PCA
2.PMID: 38735421 (2024) — Neuro-stimulating effect of Citri Reticulata Pericarpium Viride essential oil through regulating Glu/NMDAR on olfactory bulb to improve anxiety-like behavior. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
3.PMID: 35668040 (2022) — Rapid profiling of potential antitumor polymethoxylated flavonoids in natural products by integrating cell biospecific extraction with neutral loss/diagnostic ion filtering-based high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. · Phytochemical analysis : PCA
4.PMID: 17367982 (2007) — Identification of polymethoxylated flavones from green tangerine peel (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride) by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. · Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
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Fresh Tangerine Peel

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Fresh Tangerine Peel