Does tangerine peel (chenpi) remove dampness?
Dried tangerine peel (Chenpi) can play a certain auxiliary role in removing dampness, but it should be used in moderation and not excessively.
Dried tangerine peel is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with a bitter and pungent taste and warm nature. It functions to regulate qi and strengthen the spleen, as well as dry dampness and resolve phlegm. It is commonly used to treat conditions such as abdominal distension, poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and cough with excessive phlegm. For individuals with significant internal dampness, soaking feet in water infused with dried tangerine peel may help promote sweating, thereby assisting in expelling some dampness from the body. Additionally, combining dried tangerine peel with other herbs that strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness—such as Poria (Fuling), coix seed (Yiyiren), and Euryale seed (Qianshi)—can enhance its dampness-removing effects.
It is recommended to use dried tangerine peel under the guidance of a physician. If dampness is severe, regular physical exercise may also help improve the condition.