Bitter orange (mature) - 枳壳 (Zhi Ke)
Bitter Orange (mature)
枳壳
Zhi Ke·Orange amère (mature)
Aurantii Fructus
- Traced and verified origin
- Dispatched within 24/48h, packed to order
- Kept away from light and moisture
According to the classical texts
理气宽中 行滞消胀
Pinyin
Li Qi Kuan Zhong · Xing Zhi Xiao Zhang
Overview
The fruit of Citrus aurantium, mature but short of full ripeness, picked in summer while still yellowish green and cut in two horizontally to reveal its characteristic inner structure (pale flesh with the segments set in a star).
Dried at low temperature, it comes as concave half-fruits, with a wrinkled skin and a bitter, aromatic flesh.
An essential plant of the pharmacopoeia for moving the Qi without excess, to be distinguished from its younger and more assertive brother, Zhi Shi.
Traditional uses
Traditionally used to move gently the Qi that stagnates in the median and lower regions, when that stagnation slows the descending movement and settles a persistent heaviness there.
A moderately moving herb, suited to more regular use than Zhi Shi.
Preparation and traditional-use quantity
- Decoction: 3 to 9 g, simmer for 25 minutes
- Distinction from Zhi Shi: Zhi Ke (the ripe fruit): a mild action on the Qi of the upper region; Zhi Shi (unripe): a more powerful action on the Qi of the lower region and on accumulations
- In a blend: often paired with Chen Pi and Hou Po for constitutions of stagnant Qi in the middle region
