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Knowledge baseHerbs

Zhi Shi枳实

Fructus Aurantii ImmaturusImmature Bitter Orange

Also known asUnripe Bitter Orange · Chih-Shih · Ponciri · Citrus

Category
Herbs that regulate Qi
Nature
slightly cold
Taste
bitter, pungent
Channels entered
Large Intestine, Spleen, Stomach
Secondary channels
Lung
Dosage
3–10 g

Usual doses

Dosage
3–10 g
Visceroptosis
12–30 g
Tincture
1–4 ml
Essential Oil
2–3 drops

Actions & indications

Breaks up Stagnant Qi, reduces accumulation, descends Qi, unblocks the bowels and removes Stagnant Food
  • Qi Stagnation and accumulation with epigastric or abdominal pain and distention or indigestion with focal distention or gas
  • Food Stagnation
Transforms Phlegm, reduces distention and resolves hardenings
Turbid Phlegm Obstructing the Qi with focal distention and fullness in the chest and epigastrium

Contraindications

  • Use with caution during pregnancy.
  • Use with caution when Qi is weak.
  • Use with caution in Stomach Deficiency Cold.
  • Use with caution in those with gastric or peptic ulcers.

Interactions

Combining this herb with diuretics such as chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), or torsemide (Demadex) may increase the elimination of water and/or electrolytes.

Combinations

    • Qi Tonics

    For gastrectasis, gastroptosis, rectal prolapse, or uterine prolapse.

  • For distention, swelling, and pain from Food Stagnation and Qi Stagnation, and for patients recovering from chronic illness with epigastric fullness and distention.

  • For abdominal distention, pain, and fullness from Heat binding with the stool, and for constipation with abdominal fullness and pain.

  • For focal distention and fullness in the upper epigastrium, poor appetite, fatigue, and weakness arising from a Cold-Heat complex secondary to Spleen and Stomach Deficiency.

  • For constipation and abdominal swelling from Food and Qi Stagnation, and for diarrhea, dysentery, and abdominal pain from Damp-Heat.

  • For focal distention, swelling, and pain accompanied by foul-smelling belching, from Food Stagnation and Qi Obstruction.

    • Bai Zhu
    • (Zi Su Geng)

    For epigastric and abdominal distention from Spleen and Stomach Deficiency with Food Stagnation.

  • For dysenteric diarrhea with tenesmus from Damp-Heat, particularly where Food Stagnation has transformed into Damp-Heat.

    • Bai Shao

    For abdominal pain from Qi and Blood Stagnation.

  • For painful chest with epigastric distention from Upper Jiao Yang Deficiency with Phlegm-Cold obstructing the chest.

    • Zhi Zi

    For epigastric stuffiness and distention with feverishness following a febrile illness.

  • For epigastric distention and fullness, anorexia, and fatigue from a Cold-Heat complex that obstructs Qi and leads to Damp accumulation.

    • Chen Pi

    Strengthens the Middle Jiao.

    • Zhi Ke

    Powerfully promotes Qi flow, breaks up clumps, and unblocks both the upper and lower trunk — stopping Phlegm-induced wheezing, eliminating focal distention, and relieving tenesmus.

  • For Phlegm-Heat obstructing Qi flow with focal distention in the chest and epigastrium, hiccup, dry retching, nausea, and acid regurgitation, and for palpitations, irritability, insomnia, and emotional disturbance from Gallbladder constraint with Phlegm disturbing the Heart.

  • For feelings of bodily Heat.

  • For abdominal fullness, pain, gas, and irregular bowel movements.

  • For cholecystitis.

Notes

  • This herb has recently been used to raise blood pressure.
  • It frequently appears in purgative and diuretic formulas.
  • Zhi Shi is the unripe fruit, while the ripe fruit is called Fr. Aurantii Zhi Ke; the two work synergistically together.
  • Its descending action is intense.
  • The husk Zhi Qiao, taken from a larger fruit, has a gentler action and is used for patients with Yin Deficiency.
  • It is mainly used for Qi Stagnation in the Spleen and Stomach.
  • It is used when stagnant Qi has a Hot nature.
  • It also suits Stagnation in the chest and upper back.
  • At a moderate dosage it can treat allergies.
  • Zhi Shi and Fr. Aurantii Zhi Ke are one fruit harvested at two different stages — Zhi Shi unripe, Zhi Ke nearly ripe — and both break up Qi, disperse clumps and Phlegm, and relieve focal distention. Zhi Shi governs the lower trunk (Heart, abdomen, Spleen, Stomach) with a forceful nature suited to driving Qi downward, while Zhi Ke governs the upper trunk (chest, diaphragm, skin, body hair) and moves Qi more gently and gradually through the chest, diaphragm, Lungs, Stomach, and Large Intestine.
  • Dry-fried unripe Bitter Orange Chao Zhi Shi is slightly warmer and milder in nature, making it usable in both Hot and Cold disorders.
  • Dry-fried Goose-Eyed Unripe Bitter Orange Chao E Yan Zhi Shi is somewhat stronger than Chao Zhi Shi.
  • Charred Unripe Bitter Orange Zhi Shi Tan is slightly less cold, enters the Blood level to stop bleeding, and is commonly used for Qi blockage disorders accompanied by bleeding, such as Intestinal Wind.

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