Qing Pi

English Name: immature orange peel, green tangerine peel

Literal translation: “blue-green peel”, “green peel”

Pharmaceutical Name: Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride

Medica Category: Qi-Regulating Herbs

Properties: Qing Pi enters the Liver, Gallbladder, and Stomach channels; it is bitter and acrid in nature and warm in temperature.

What is Qing Pi?:

The Chinese Herb Qing Pi is the dried peel of immature tangerines or mandarin oranges (Citrus reticulata Blanco).

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Qing Pi:

Qing Pi breaks up Liver qi stagnation and spreads Liver qi. It is appropriate for such clinical presentations as hypochondriac pain and distention, breast distention and pain, breast nodules, and hernial disorders. Associated symptoms of liver qi stagnation that may also present include: irritability, poor appetite, abdominal pain and bloating, and symptoms associated with the reversal of stomach qi (e.g. belching, hiccups, nausea, and/or vomiting). Stronger in its effects than Chen Pi (the dried peels of ripened mandarins), it is appropriate for persons with strong constitutions or acute conditions.

Qing Pi resolves food stagnation marked by indigestion, bloating, acid regurgitation, and/or belching with a foul, rotten smell.

Qing Pi is used in formula with other qi and blood invigorating herbs to help break up stagnations that has manifested as masses, nodules, or tumors.