Qīng Pí (青皮), known in English as Unripe tangerine peel (Citrus reticulata (immature)), is a warm, bitter and acrid Chinese herb from the Regulate qi category. It enters the Liver, Gallbladder and Stomach channels. Its main action: spreads Liver qi, breaks up stagnation (stronger than Chen Pi).
| Pinyin | Qīng Pí (Qing Pi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 青皮 |
| English | Unripe tangerine peel |
| Botanical name | Citrus reticulata (immature) |
| Category | Regulate qi |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Bitter, Acrid |
| Channels | Liver, Gallbladder, Stomach |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Qi deficiency; use with caution as it is harsh |
Actions
- Spreads Liver qi, breaks up stagnation (stronger than Chen Pi)
- Dissipates clumps, reduces food stagnation
Indications
- Liver qi stagnation with flank/breast pain
- Food accumulation
- Qi stagnation hernial pain
How to remember Qīng Pí
Regulate qi herbs are mostly warm or hot, acrid and bitter, and most enter the Spleen and Stomach channels.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Bitter, Acrid: like most Regulate qi herbs
- Liver channel: from its action “Spreads Liver qi”
- Stomach channel: from its action “reduces food stagnation”
- Learn by heart
- Gallbladder channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Other Regulate qi herbs
- Chén Pí
- Zhǐ Shí
- Mù Xiāng
- Xiāng Fù
- Chén Xiāng
- Fó Shǒu
- Chuān Liàn Zǐ
- Lì Zhī Hé
- Dà Fù Pí
- Wū Yào
- Zhǐ Ké
- Jú Hóng
- Xiè Bái
- Tán Xiāng
- Méi Guī Huā
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Qīng Pí?
Qīng Pí is warm and bitter and acrid.
Which channels does Qīng Pí enter?
Qīng Pí enters the Liver, Gallbladder and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Qīng Pí?
Spreads Liver qi, breaks up stagnation (stronger than Chen Pi); Dissipates clumps, reduces food stagnation.
What is Qīng Pí used for?
Liver qi stagnation with flank/breast pain; food accumulation; qi stagnation hernial pain.
Practise Qīng Pí and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.