In Chinese herbal practices, tangerine peel — Jú Pí (橘皮), known when aged as Chén Pí (陳皮) — is one of the most widely used herbs in classical TCM, appearing in hundreds of formulas. It is the principal qi-regulating herb (理氣) — moving stuck qi in the chest and middle, relieving distension, supporting appetite, and gently drying dampness. Its warming, drying character makes it ideal for combining with cooling or moistening herbs to prevent stagnation.
In Western herbal traditions, Citrus reticulata peel is rich in essential oil (predominantly limonene, up to 85%) and methoxylated flavonoids — including nobiletin, tangeretin, and hesperidin. Modern pharmacology has documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and digestive-supportive activities. The polymethoxyflavones of citrus peel are among the most studied bioactives in the citrus genus.
