Fruits and seedsQi-regulatingCitri Exocarpium Rubrum

Ju Hong (Red Tangerine Peel)

Q: What is Ju Hong? Are Chen Pi, Hua Ju Hong and Qing Pi the same?

Official Ju Hong (橘红) is the dried outer pericarp of Citrus reticulata and its cultivated varieties . The pharmacopoeial name is Citri Exocarpium Rubrum . The white inner layer is removed. Chen Pi is the whole ripe peel: acrid-bitter and warm, regulates qi, strengthens the Spleen, dries dampness and transforms phlegm, and harmonizes the middle more strongly. Hua Ju Hong is the outer peel of Citrus grandis ‘Tomentosa’ or pomelo: acrid-bitter and warm, disperses cold, dries dampness, moves qi and disperses phlegm, and is harsher. Qing Pi is the immature fruit or peel: bitter-acrid and warm, courses the Liver, breaks qi, disperses accumulation and transforms stagnation. Write Ju Hong. Use caution in yin-vacuity dry cough.

Q: What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Ju Hong?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Ju Hong is acrid, bitter and warm , enters the Lung and Spleen channels, and acts to regulate qi, ease the middle, dry dampness and transform phlegm . It is used for cough with copious phlegm, food accumulation with alcohol injury, and vomiting with oppression. Acrid-bitter, warm and drying, it suits wind-cold phlegm-damp—not yin-vacuity dry cough or fluid damage with dry mouth.

Q: How do you choose Ju Hong versus Chen Pi? Can Hua Ju Hong replace it?

The Bencao Gangmu says keep the white layer to harmonize the middle, and remove it to direct qi downward and disperse phlegm. Ju Hong has the white removed, so warming, drying, transforming phlegm and dispersing cold are stronger. Chen Pi keeps the white and harmonizes the middle better. Hua Ju Hong is pomelo peel and disperses phlegm more harshly; do not mix them by equal weight. Commercial red-peel tea is not equal-weight pieces.

Q: What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a phlegm tea?

The pharmacopoeial decoction dose is 3–10 g . It is not a four-season “red-peel phlegm tea.” Yin-vacuity dry cough only coughs further as it dries. Cough needs a practitioner to name a short course; it does not replace respiratory assessment.

Q: Which herbs is Ju Hong combined with? What are the representative formulas?

Phlegm-damp cough joins pinellia, poria and licorice in an Er Chen Tang type formula that substitutes red peel for aged peel. Food accumulation may join medicated leaven and hawthorn after pattern differentiation. Write Ju Hong 3–10 g; do not mix it by equal weight with pomelo peel or aged peel.

Q: How do you choose and store Ju Hong?

Choose outer peel, orange-red or brown-red, yellow-white inside, dense oil dots, an aromatic odor and an acrid-bitter taste . Lots with much white pith, mold, moths or a faint aroma are discarded. Store cool and dry. Buy pharmacopoeial Ju Hong; do not replace regulating qi, easing the middle, drying dampness and transforming phlegm with pomelo peel or aged peel by equal weight.

A practical guide to Ju Hong: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.

View Herb Profile →

Last reviewed Oct 13, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin Name	Citri Exocarpium Rubrum
Chinese Name & Pinyin	橘紅 · Ju Hong
Medicinal Part	Fruits and seeds
The herb	Ju Hong is the dried outer peel of Citrus reticulata. Chen Pi is the ripe peel. Hua Ju Hong is a different official drug. Qing Pi is the immature fruit.
Nature and channels	Acrid, bitter, warm. Enters the Lung and Spleen. Acridity moves qi. Bitter warmth dries dampness and transforms phlegm.
Pharmacopoeia line	Moves qi and eases the middle. Dries dampness and transforms phlegm. Used for cough with much sputum, food accumulation and alcohol injury, and vomiting and focal oppression.
Pattern cues	Cough with much sputum. Food accumulation. Vomiting and focal oppression. White greasy coating.
In this article	Ju Hong versus Chen Pi, Hua Ju Hong, and Qing Pi. Drying dampness and transforming phlegm versus moving qi and strengthening the spleen. Why yin-deficiency dry cough should skip it. Who should skip it.

What Is Ju Hong?

Ju Hong (橘红; Jú Hóng; Latin: Citri Exocarpium Rubrum; English: red tangerine peel) is the dried outer peel of Citrus reticulata Blanco and its cultivars. In Chinese medicine it is a qi-moving herb. It is acrid, bitter, and warm, enters the Lung and Spleen channels, and its core actions are to move qi and ease the middle, and to dry dampness and transform phlegm. The teaching point is cough with much sputum, and food or alcohol injury. It is not Chen Pi. Aged tangerine peel is the dried ripe peel, acrid, bitter, and warm. It moves qi, strengthens the spleen, dries dampness, and transforms phlegm. Strengthening the spleen is more specific. Ju Hong is the outer red peel. Drying dampness and transforming phlegm are more specific. It is not Hua Ju Hong. That is the outer peel of pomelo or Huazhou pomelo, a separate pharmacopoeia drug, and more drying. Fresh orange zest does not convert to the piece. Yin-deficiency dry cough and vomiting of blood are a poor match.

It is used most often for three patterns:

Cough with much sputum — damp phlegm
Food accumulation and alcohol injury — epigastric tightness
Vomiting and focal oppression

The usual decoction dose is 3–10 g. Acrid, bitter, warm, and drying, it is not a daily “phlegm peel tea.” Dry cough and sore throat with no sputum get drier if more drying is added.

When damp phlegm fills the Lung, or food and qi stagnate, cough with much sputum and focal oppression are common. Ju Hong is acrid, bitter, and warm. It moves qi, dries dampness, and transforms phlegm, which is why it appears in damp-phlegm cough formulas. It dries and disperses more than it moistens. A red tongue with little fluid and scant sputum get drier if more is added.

Ju Hong is not a catch-all phlegm or qi peel. In yin-deficiency dry cough or vomiting of blood, using it alone can warm, dry, and injure fluids. Ju Hong or Chen Pi should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis.

Ju Hong: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Citri Exocarpium Rubrum

Botanical Origin

The dried reddish outer pericarp of Citrus reticulata Blanco or Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck var. tomentosa Hort. (Rutaceae).

Production Regions

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong (Huazhou), Sichuan and Zhejiang.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material is reddish, thin, oily, and strongly aromatic.

Macroscopic Features

Curled pieces of outer peel, externally reddish-orange with oil pits; inner surface whitish with little albedo; intensely aromatic.

Origins and Quality Identification

The most authentic and high-quality Ju Hong traditionally comes from southern Chinese regions like Guangdong, Guangxi, and Fujian. Knowing how to spot good quality is important:

Premium Quality: Look for thick, irregular slices with an orange-yellow to orange-red outer layer. It should have dense oil spots, a slightly tough texture, a crisp, clean fruity aroma, and a taste that is a bit bitter, spicy, and faintly sweet.
Common Fakes: Be careful of ordinary, thin tangerine peels. These are usually pale yellow, brittle, lack dense oil spots, have a very faint smell, and taste sour or astringent.

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Acrid, Bitter; WarmLungSpleen

1. Historical Records

Classic Chinese medical texts have well-documented its specific uses for centuries:

Ming Yi Bie Lu states that it directs Qi downward, stops vomiting and coughing, and helps clear fluid retention.
Ben Cao Gang Mu notes its ability to treat stubborn phlegm, "open" the stomach, and improve digestion.
De Pei Ben Cao mentions it can help relieve alcohol toxicity and clear severe phlegm blockages.

2. Evolution of Herbal Understanding

Over time, TCM practitioners have refined how to use this herb safely:

Best for Cold/Damp: Many doctors emphasize its "warm and drying" nature, making it highly effective for people with cold-phlegm or heavy internal dampness.
Digestive Relief: Others focus on its ability to relieve stomach bloating and digestive stagnation.
When to Avoid: Historically, all experts agree that Ju Hong should not be used for "Yin deficiency" (which presents as dry, hacking coughs without much phlegm). It is a specialized tool, not a cure-all for every type of cough.

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Regulates qi, dries dampness, and transforms phlegm more strongly than ordinary Chen Pi. Apply to cough with copious phlegm and epigastric distension from qi stagnation and damp-phlegm.

1. Main Focus: Drying Dampness and Resolving Phlegm

What it does: Its primary traditional function is to dry internal dampness and break down sticky phlegm. It is highly effective for respiratory discomfort caused by phlegm-dampness blockages.
When it is used: It is commonly used when you have a cough with heavy, sticky, hard-to-expectorate phlegm, often accompanied by a heavy chest and a thick, white tongue coating.
Common Pairings: It is frequently paired with herbs like Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) to move Qi, and Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome) to boost the phlegm-resolving power. Together, they create a strong dampness-drying effect.
When to Avoid: Do not use this herb if you have a dry cough without phlegm, or if your phlegm is sparse, sticky, and yellow (signs of internal heat/dryness). Its warming nature can make dry-heat symptoms worse.

2. Second Focus: Regulating Qi and Easing the Digestive Tract

What it does: It helps smooth the flow of Spleen and Stomach Qi, relieving abdominal discomfort caused by stagnation.
When it is used: It is traditionally used for bloating, fullness, and frequent burping after meals, especially after eating overly sweet or greasy foods that cause digestive traffic jams.
Common Pairings: It is often combined with Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root) to enhance Qi circulation and Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit) to soothe the stomach.
When to Avoid: If your bloating is caused by a weak digestive system (e.g., you often have loose stools and chronic fatigue), do not use Ju Hong (Red Tangerine Peel) alone. Its drying nature can further weaken the Spleen.

3. Common Herb Pairing: The Stomach-Soothing Duo

Ju Hong (Red Tangerine Peel) and fresh ginger make a classic combination:

Ju Hong (Red Tangerine Peel) dries dampness and regulates Qi.
Fresh ginger warms the stomach and relieves nausea.
Together: They clear cold-dampness, ease bloating, and stop nausea. This pair should only be used after a practitioner confirms a "cold-damp" constitution, as using it for heat-based issues can aggravate symptoms.

Modern Research

Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.

1. Primary Chemical Components

Modern science shows that Ju Hong contains essential oils (such as limonene), flavonoids (like hesperidin), polysaccharides, and organic acids.

2. Pharmacological Research Focus

Western pharmacological research mainly looks at its essential oils and flavonoids. Lab tests suggest these components may help regulate respiratory mucus and mildly stimulate stomach movement. However, most of this data comes from test tubes or animal models.

3. Limitations of Modern Research

While modern science provides some clues, it has limitations when explaining TCM:

Lab vs. Real Life: Animal and test-tube results do not automatically guarantee the exact same effect in humans.
Extracts vs. Whole Herbs: Lab tests often use highly concentrated, single-chemical extracts, which act very differently than a traditional brewed cup of whole Ju Hong slices.
Synergy: TCM relies on how all the natural compounds in the herb work together as a whole, rather than just isolating one active ingredient.

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. What They Have in Common

Ju Hong (Red Tangerine Peel) and Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) both regulate Qi and resolve phlegm. Both are traditionally used for phlegm buildup and digestive stagnation, and both often appear in autumn/winter teas and soups.

2. The Core Differences

Nature and Strength: Both are warm, but Ju Hong (Red Tangerine Peel) is much more "drying" and "dispersing." Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) is milder and more gently harmonizing.
Primary Focus: Ju Hong (Red Tangerine Peel) is the heavy hitter for sticky, stubborn phlegm and severe bloating. Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) is better for gently strengthening the Spleen and addressing mild digestive sluggishness.
Action Mechanism: Ju Hong (Red Tangerine Peel) aggressively breaks up stagnation, while Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) gently restores the stomach's natural rhythm.
Contraindications: Because it is so drying, Ju Hong (Red Tangerine Peel) is strictly avoided for people with dry-heat constitutions. Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) is a bit more forgiving, though it still requires care.

3. The One-Sentence Summary

In short: Ju Hong (Red Tangerine Peel) is a strong, drying herb for heavy phlegm and severe bloating, while Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) is a gentle, harmonizing herb for mild digestive support and everyday wellness.

Classical Formulas Containing Ju Hong

Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang

半夏白朮天麻湯

Formula CategoryPhlegm-Resolving FormulasPrimary PatternPhlegm-DampnessPrimary FunctionDry damp, resolve phlegm, calm Liver, extinguish windRelated ConditionsDizziness & Vertigo·Headache·Nausea

View Formula Profile Read Complete Guide

Formulas vs. Single Herbs

Synergy is Key: A formula is a balanced team. The healing power comes from how the herbs interact, so a single herb cannot simply replicate a full formula's effects.
Holistic Balance: The exact dosage and combination in a formula affect the entire body. Never try to mix or alter these formulas at home based on internet articles.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. Home Teas and Recipes

Recipe: Ju Hong and Ginger Tea
- Ingredients: 3g Ju Hong (Red Tangerine Peel), 1 slice of fresh ginger (about 5g), a pinch of brown sugar (optional).
- How to make: Rinse the herb quickly. Put it in a cup with the sliced ginger, pour boiling water over them, cover, and steep for 10 minutes.
- When to use: Perfect for autumn and winter days when you feel a heavy chest, have phlegm, or feel bloated after a greasy meal.
- When to avoid: Do not drink if you run hot, have a dry mouth, or suffer from constipation. Keep it to a maximum of 3 times a week. Always buy medicinal-grade herbs from a pharmacy, not raw fruit peels.

2. Preparation Tips

Raw vs. Processed: Raw Ju Hong (Red Tangerine Peel) is best for drying phlegm, while the shredded, processed version is gentler and better for everyday Qi regulation.
Boiling: It does not need to be pre-boiled or bagged. Simply boil it with other ingredients for 15-20 minutes. Do not overboil, or you will lose the beneficial essential oils.

3. Dosage and Usage Cycle

Clinical Dosage: Traditionally 3-10g per day.
Dietary Dosage: For home wellness, use a much smaller amount (2-5g).
Cycle: Do not use this long-term. Stop after a week, and if your symptoms haven't improved, consult a doctor.

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. Who Should Avoid It

Dry and Heat Constitutions: If you easily feel hot, have a dry mouth, or experience constipation, avoid this herb. Its warm/dry nature will make you feel worse.
Pregnant and Nursing Women: Use only under strict medical supervision, as safety data is limited.
Children and the Elderly: Their digestive systems are sensitive; dosages must be carefully adjusted by a professional.
Liver/Kidney Issues: Consult a doctor before use to avoid adding metabolic stress.
Citrus Allergies: Do not use if you are allergic to tangerine, grapefruit, or other rutaceae plants.

2. Drug Interactions and Dietary Notes

Medication Conflicts: Because of its potential to alter drug metabolism, Ju Hong (Red Tangerine Peel) may interact with blood thinners (like warfarin), blood pressure drugs, blood sugar medications, or sedatives. Always disclose your herbal use to your doctor or pharmacist.
Professional Check: Never mix this herb with prescription medications without professional clearance to avoid adverse reactions.

3. Adverse Reactions and Overdose Risks

Overdose Symptoms: Taking too much can cause severe internal dryness, leading to a sore throat, dry mouth, or constipation.
Allergic Reactions: Rashes, itching, or breathing difficulties can occur in rare cases.
What to Do: If you experience sustained vomiting, breathing issues, allergic reactions, or severe discomfort, stop use immediately and seek medical attention. Do not exceed the recommended dietary dose.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ju Hong

What is Ju Hong? Are Chen Pi, Hua Ju Hong and Qing Pi the same?

Official Ju Hong (橘红) is the dried outer pericarp of Citrus reticulata and its cultivated varieties. The pharmacopoeial name is Citri Exocarpium Rubrum. The white inner layer is removed. Chen Pi is the whole ripe peel: acrid-bitter and warm, regulates qi, strengthens the Spleen, dries dampness and transforms phlegm, and harmonizes the middle more strongly. Hua Ju Hong is the outer peel of Citrus grandis ‘Tomentosa’ or pomelo: acrid-bitter and warm, disperses cold, dries dampness, moves qi and disperses phlegm, and is harsher. Qing Pi is the immature fruit or peel: bitter-acrid and warm, courses the Liver, breaks qi, disperses accumulation and transforms stagnation. Write Ju Hong. Use caution in yin-vacuity dry cough.

What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Ju Hong?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Ju Hong is acrid, bitter and warm, enters the Lung and Spleen channels, and acts to regulate qi, ease the middle, dry dampness and transform phlegm. It is used for cough with copious phlegm, food accumulation with alcohol injury, and vomiting with oppression. Acrid-bitter, warm and drying, it suits wind-cold phlegm-damp—not yin-vacuity dry cough or fluid damage with dry mouth.

How do you choose Ju Hong versus Chen Pi? Can Hua Ju Hong replace it?

The Bencao Gangmu says keep the white layer to harmonize the middle, and remove it to direct qi downward and disperse phlegm. Ju Hong has the white removed, so warming, drying, transforming phlegm and dispersing cold are stronger. Chen Pi keeps the white and harmonizes the middle better. Hua Ju Hong is pomelo peel and disperses phlegm more harshly; do not mix them by equal weight. Commercial red-peel tea is not equal-weight pieces.

What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a phlegm tea?

The pharmacopoeial decoction dose is 3–10 g. It is not a four-season “red-peel phlegm tea.” Yin-vacuity dry cough only coughs further as it dries. Cough needs a practitioner to name a short course; it does not replace respiratory assessment.

What are the contraindications? Can it be used in pregnancy?

Unsuitable in yin-vacuity dry cough, fluid damage with dry mouth, and vomiting of blood. Pregnancy needs a practitioner’s assessment. Stop if dry mouth or worsening cough appears. Panting with cyanosis and coughing blood need medical care.

Can Ju Hong regulate qi, ease the middle, dry dampness and transform phlegm?

It can help wind-cold cough with copious phlegm and food accumulation with vomiting. It is often joined with pinellia, poria and licorice in an Er Chen Tang type formula that substitutes red peel for aged peel. It regulates qi, eases the middle, dries dampness and transforms phlegm—not a specific for every cough or every distension.

Can Ju Hong be drunk daily as a phlegm, cough or digestion tea?

Cold phlegm and damp obstruction may enter a short formula; yin-vacuity dry cough only coughs further as it dries. “Red peel must transform phlegm” does not replace respiratory assessment. Regulating qi, easing the middle, drying dampness and transforming phlegm should name 3–10 g, and say Ju Hong rather than Hua Ju Hong.

How do you choose among Ju Hong, Chen Pi, Hua Ju Hong, Qing Pi and Ban Xia?

Red tangerine peel is acrid-bitter and warm: regulates qi, eases the middle, dries dampness and transforms phlegm—wind-cold with copious phlegm; the white layer is removed and it is more warming and drying. Aged peel is acrid-bitter and warm: regulates qi, strengthens the Spleen, dries dampness and transforms phlegm—epigastric distension; the white layer is kept and it harmonizes the middle. Pomelo peel is acrid-bitter and warm: disperses cold, dries dampness, moves qi and disperses phlegm—cold phlegm and food accumulation, and it is harsher. Green peel is bitter-acrid and warm: courses the Liver, breaks qi, disperses accumulation and transforms stagnation—Liver constraint and accumulation. Pinellia is acrid-warm and toxic: dries dampness, transforms phlegm and directs counterflow downward—cold-fluid phlegm, and it must be processed. Wind-cold phlegm cough favors Ju Hong; Spleen-vacuity distension favors Chen Pi; cold phlegm with food accumulation favors Hua Ju Hong; hypochondriac distension favors Qing Pi; vomiting and phlegm-fluid favor Ban Xia. They may be paired after pattern differentiation; yin-vacuity dry cough forbids large Ju Hong and Hua Ju Hong.

Which herbs is Ju Hong combined with? What are the representative formulas?

Phlegm-damp cough joins pinellia, poria and licorice in an Er Chen Tang type formula that substitutes red peel for aged peel. Food accumulation may join medicated leaven and hawthorn after pattern differentiation. Write Ju Hong 3–10 g; do not mix it by equal weight with pomelo peel or aged peel.

How do you choose and store Ju Hong?

Choose outer peel, orange-red or brown-red, yellow-white inside, dense oil dots, an aromatic odor and an acrid-bitter taste. Lots with much white pith, mold, moths or a faint aroma are discarded. Store cool and dry. Buy pharmacopoeial Ju Hong; do not replace regulating qi, easing the middle, drying dampness and transforming phlegm with pomelo peel or aged peel by equal weight.

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Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.