Zhǐ Ké (枳壳), known in English as Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium (ripening fruit)), is a cool, bitter, acrid and sour Chinese herb from the Regulate qi category. It enters the Spleen and Stomach channels. Its main action: moves qi, loosens the chest.
| Pinyin | Zhǐ Ké (Zhi Ke) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 枳壳 |
| English | Bitter orange |
| Botanical name | Citrus aurantium (ripening fruit) |
| Category | Regulate qi |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Bitter, Acrid, Sour |
| Channels | Spleen, Stomach |
| Dosage | 3–10g |
| Cautions | Pregnancy (use with caution); qi deficiency without stagnation |
Actions
- Moves qi, loosens the chest
- Relieves stagnation, reduces distension (gentler than Zhi Shi)
Indications
- Qi stagnation in the chest and hypochondrium with distension and pain
- Food stagnation
- Phlegm-fluid retention
- Prolapse of organs
How to remember Zhǐ Ké
Regulate qi herbs are mostly warm or hot, acrid and bitter, and most enter the Spleen and Stomach channels.
- You can work these out
- Bitter, Acrid, Spleen and Stomach channels: like most Regulate qi herbs
- Learn by heart
- Cool: unusual for Regulate qi herbs (most are warm or hot)
- Sour: unusual for Regulate qi herbs (most are acrid or bitter)
Formulas containing Zhǐ Ké
Other Regulate qi herbs
- Chén Pí
- Zhǐ Shí
- Mù Xiāng
- Xiāng Fù
- Chén Xiāng
- Qīng Pí
- Fó Shǒu
- Chuān Liàn Zǐ
- Lì Zhī Hé
- Dà Fù Pí
- Wū Yào
- Jú Hóng
- Xiè Bái
- Tán Xiāng
- Méi Guī Huā
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Zhǐ Ké?
Zhǐ Ké is cool and bitter, acrid and sour.
Which channels does Zhǐ Ké enter?
Zhǐ Ké enters the Spleen and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Zhǐ Ké?
Moves qi, loosens the chest; Relieves stagnation, reduces distension (gentler than Zhi Shi).
What is Zhǐ Ké used for?
Qi stagnation in the chest and hypochondrium with distension and pain; food stagnation; Phlegm-fluid retention; prolapse of organs.
Which formulas contain Zhǐ Ké?
Chái Hú Shū Gān Sǎn, Xuè Fǔ Zhú Yū Tāng and Gé Xià Zhú Yū Tāng.
Practise Zhǐ Ké 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.