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Photograph of Citrus aurantium L. (Bitter Orange (mature fruit))
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Bitter Orange (mature fruit)

Bitter Orange (mature fruit) (지각, 枳殼) is recorded in the Donguibogam as a qi-regulating herb. Its nature is cold (some sources: slightly cold) and its taste bitter, sour (some sources: bitter, pungent), associated with the Lung, Spleen, Large Intestine meridians. Traditional uses recorded in the text include moves qi in the chest, resolves phlegm stagnation, relieves distension and fullness. Caution: Cold and qi-moving; not suited to qi deficiency or during pregnancy without professional guidance.

지각 (枳殼) · Citrus aurantium L.
Qi-regulating herb Cold (some sources: slightly cold) Bitter, sour (some sources: bitter, pungent) Lung, Spleen, Large Intestine
NatureCold (some sources: slightly cold)
TasteBitter, sour (some sources: bitter, pungent)
MeridiansLung, Spleen, Large Intestine
Part usedMature fruit
FamilyRutaceae
CategoryQi-regulating herb
Find by concern: Chest tightnessCoughItching

Overview

Bitter orange is harvested young as jishi (枳實) and mature as jigak (枳殼) — the Donguibogam explains the classical distinction plainly: the mature fruit (殼) acts higher, on the chest and skin, while the young fruit (實) acts lower, on the heart and stomach. Both share the same plant but different traditional targets.

In the Donguibogam

東醫
寶鑑
性寒一云微寒, 味苦酸一云苦辛, 無毒. 主肺氣咳嗽. 散胸中痰滯, 利大小腸, 消脹滿, 除關格壅塞, 消痰逐水, 破癥癖結氣, 除風痒, 麻痺, 去腸風痔腫.
Source: Donguibogam, Tangaek-pyeon (Herbology volume)
TranslationIts nature is cold (some say slightly cold), its taste bitter and sour (some say bitter and pungent), and it is non-toxic. It mainly treats lung-qi cough. It disperses phlegm stagnation in the chest, benefits the large and small intestines, resolves distension and fullness, clears blockage and obstruction, resolves phlegm and expels water, breaks up hardened masses and knotted qi, removes wind-itch and numbness, and clears intestinal wind and hemorrhoids.

Traditional uses recorded in the Donguibogam

  • Moves qi in the chest
  • Resolves phlegm stagnation
  • Relieves distension and fullness
  • Unblocks the bowels

Traditional applications recorded in the classical text

  • Chest oppression with cough
  • Abdominal or intestinal fullness
  • Wind-itch and numbness
  • Hemorrhoid-related bowel discomfort

Traditional preparation

Traditionally soaked to remove the pith and bran-fried before use.

This describes traditional preparation recorded in the classics, not a recommendation for use today. DonguiHub does not provide dosage guidance — consult a qualified professional before using any herb.

Cautions

Caution: Cold and qi-moving; not suited to qi deficiency or during pregnancy without professional guidance. Consult a professional.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between jigak (枳殼) and jisil (枳實)?

They come from the same tree at different ripeness: jisil is the young, unripe fruit, jigak the mature one. The Donguibogam records that the mature fruit acts higher, on the chest and skin, while the young fruit acts lower, on the heart and stomach.

What was bitter orange's main traditional use?

Relieving chest oppression and phlegm — the Donguibogam highlights lung-qi cough and phlegm stagnation in the chest as its primary use, alongside easing abdominal fullness.

Sources

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