Speaking of Chenpi, most people don't know what it is. Is it orange peel? Mandarin peel? In fact, Chenpi is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine with a fragrant aroma that can regulate the spleen and lungs. So what are the functions of Chenpi? What are the ways to consume it? And what are the precautions?
The efficacy of Chenpi in traditional Chinese medicine
1. It can be used for symptoms such as chest and abdominal distention. Chenpi has a dispersing and warming effect, with a fragrant aroma, and is good at regulating Qi. It can enter the spleen and lungs, as well as promote Qi circulation and relieve stagnation. It is used for conditions such as lung Qi congestion, chest tightness, spleen and stomach Qi stagnation, and abdominal distention. It is often used in combination with Muxiang and Zhike.
2. Chenpi is generally used for conditions such as damp obstruction in the middle burner, abdominal distention, and phlegm-related cough. Chenpi is bitter, warm, and drying, which can invigorate the spleen and promote Qi circulation. Therefore, it is often used for damp obstruction in the middle burner and abdominal distention. It is also good at drying dampness and resolving phlegm, making it a common medicine for treating phlegm congestion in the lungs and cough with excessive phlegm. It is often used in combination with Banxia and Fuling.
3. It can alleviate indigestion, nausea, and vomiting. Chenpi can invigorate the spleen, stimulate appetite, and is suitable for conditions such as weak spleen and stomach, indigestion, and diarrhea. It can be used in combination with Renshen, Baizhu, and Fuling. It can also regulate the stomach, and is effective in treating gastric disharmony, nausea, and vomiting. If there is vomiting due to cold in the stomach, it can be used in combination with ginger; if there is vomiting due to stomach heat, it can be combined with Zhuru and Huanglian.
The functions of Chenpi in traditional Chinese medicine
1. Cough suppression and phlegm reduction
Chenpi has the ability to reduce phlegm and suppress coughing. When suffering from a cough with excessive phlegm during a cold, we can make tea with dried orange peel and add some rock sugar to help alleviate the cough and reduce phlegm. Chenpi can also be added to cooking to harmonize Qi and reduce phlegm.
2. Gastrointestinal health
Chenpi has the effect of invigorating the stomach and relieving stomach pain. The volatile oil contained in Chenpi has a mild stimulating effect on the gastrointestinal tract, which is beneficial for harmonizing the spleen and stomach. It can also promote the secretion of digestive fluids and eliminate intestinal gas, showing the effects of aromatic stomach invigoration and wind dispelling. Therefore, drinking Chenpi water can help alleviate occasional vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal bloating.
3. Effects on the cardiovascular system
Chenpi decoction and alcohol extracts can stimulate the myocardium, but excessive dosage can lead to inhibition. In addition, it can cause mild vasoconstriction and a rapid increase in blood pressure. The active ingredients in Chenpi also have a preventive effect on arterial sclerosis caused by hyperlipidemia.
4. Effects on the respiratory system
Some substances in Chenpi can effectively dissolve phlegm and facilitate expectoration. Chenpi decoction has a weak bronchodilator effect, and its alcohol extract has a good effect on relieving asthma.
5. Anti-inflammatory effects
When used in combination with vitamin C and vitamin K, Chenpi decoction can enhance anti-inflammatory effects. Chenpi decoction has minimal side effects, and repeated animal experiments have not shown acute toxicity. However, it should be used with caution in cases of Qi deficiency, dryness cough, hemoptysis, red tongue with little saliva, and internal heat.
So what are the ways to consume Chenpi? Let's take a look at the methods below.
Methods of consuming Chenpi
1. Chenpi tea
Take 20 grams of Chenpi and steep it in boiling water. Drink it 1-3 times a day. It is suitable for people with spleen and stomach Qi stagnation, abdominal distention, indigestion, poor appetite, and cough with excessive phlegm. It is also suitable for preventing high blood pressure, myocardial infarction, and fatty liver.
