Orange Peel
Citrus sinensis or aurantium
Quality: Yin
Element: Wood, Earth
This is bitter in taste. The orange tree was brought to Europe from China by Arab traders in the 10th century. Chen Pi has been used in Chinese medicine for over 2000 years. Its bitter taste contains more than 60 types of flavonoids and over double that of phyto-nutrients
As a herbal medicine, orange peel is used to regulate energy, strengthen the spleen, treat coughs and diarrhoea and also as an expectorant. Nowadays it is used to lower blood pressure. Well known for its high vitamin C and E content, it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain forms of cancer. It is a stimulant so can help induce weight loss.
Reference:
- Al-Ashaal HA, El-Sheltawy ST. (2011) Antioxidant capacity of hesperidin from citrus peel using electron spin resonance and cytotoxic activity against human carcinoma cell lines. Pharm Biol. 2011 Mar;49(3):276-82.
- Yang C, Chen H, Chen H, Zhong B, Luo X, Chun J. (2017) Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities of Essential Oil from Gannan Navel Orange Peel. Molecules. 2017 Aug 22;22(8). pii: E1391.