What is Fructus Aurantii (Immature Bitter Orange)?
Sep 13, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. He Haochen
Introduction
Citri Fructus (Zhi Qiao) is a traditional Chinese medicine derived from the nearly ripe fruits of the Rutaceae plant Citrus limonia and its cultivated varieties. It is commonly used to treat abdominal distension and pain, as Zhi Qiao has a bitter and descending property that effectively widens the chest and promotes diaphragmatic function, regulates qi flow, and alleviates fatigue. It is an essential remedy for chest stuffiness caused by stagnation of qi. In cases of food retention leading to abdominal distension, pain, breathlessness, vomiting, and diarrhea, Zhi Qiao helps eliminate food accumulation, relieve stagnation, reduce upward rushing of qi, and alleviate bloating. It is also used to treat conditions such as rectal prolapse and uterine prolapse due to qi deficiency with sinking of qi.
In daily life, people are relatively unfamiliar with Zhikē (Fructus Aurantii). You may wonder: what exactly is Zhikē?
What Is Zhikē?
Zhikē is a traditional Chinese herb, derived from the nearly ripe fruits of citrus plants in the Rutaceae family, particularly Citrus aurantium and its cultivated varieties. It has a bitter taste and a descending action, effectively widening the chest and promoting diaphragmatic function, regulating qi flow, and relieving fatigue. It is an essential remedy for treating chest tightness and discomfort caused by stagnation of qi. In cases of food retention leading to abdominal distension, pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, Zhikē helps eliminate food stagnation, direct qi downward, and reduce bloating. It is also used to treat conditions involving qi deficiency and visceral prolapse, such as rectal prolapse and uterine prolapse. Additionally, it can be applied during pregnancy to manage intestinal wind, urticaria with itching, and abdominal pain.
Zhikē can indeed be considered a unique and effective traditional Chinese medicinal herb, offering ideal therapeutic effects across a wide range of conditions. It improves various health issues. For instance, in cases of excessive phlegm accompanied by coughing, this herb can serve as an adjunct treatment, providing notable expectorant and antitussive effects. For many diseases, as long as Zhikē is used appropriately, satisfactory therapeutic outcomes can generally be achieved.
Although classified as a traditional Chinese medicine, Zhikē is actually the fruit of the plant—specifically, the dried immature fruit of the bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) and its cultivars in the Rutaceae family. Zhikē appears as a semi-spherical shape, about 3–5 cm in diameter. Its outer peel is brown or dark brownish in color. This material is typically used after drying and can be incorporated into herbal formulations to treat various illnesses. We hope this answer has been helpful to you. Wishing you good health and happiness!
