Ju Hong (Red Tangerine Peel)

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.

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.

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.