This product is the fruit of the evergreen small tree or shrub plant of the beautiful steetgum resin family, finger citron (Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle). It is mainly produced in Guangdong, Fujian, Yunnan, Sichuan, and other regions. The fruit is harvested in autumn when it has not yet turned yellow or has just begun to yellow, then sliced thinly and dried in the sun or at low temperatures. It is used in its raw form.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Acrid and bitter, warm, act on liver, spleen, stomach and lung channels.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Soothing liver and relieving depression, regulating qi and harmonizing the middle, drying dampness and resolving phlegm.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for liver depression, chest and hypochondriac distending pain, and liver-stomach qi pain. This product is pungent and bitter, good at soothing the liver and relieving depression, moving qi to relieve pain, and can be used together with Bupleurum, Cyperus, Curcuma Root, etc.
2. Used for spleen-stomach disharmony syndrome/pattern. This product has the effects of moving qi and removing food stagnation, regulating the spleen and stomach. It is used to treat spleen-stomach qi stagnation, epigastric distension and fullness, nausea, and poor appetite, often used together with Aucklandia Root, Cyperus, Villous Amomum Fruit, etc.
3. Used for chronic cough with excessive phlegm, chest tightness, and hypochondriac pain. This product can both dry dampness and resolve phlegm, and soothe the liver and regulate qi, often used together with Luffa Vegetable Sponge, Trichosanthis Fruit peel, Dried Tangerine Peel, etc.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Bencao Gangmu: "Boil wine and drink it to treat phlegm and cough. Decoct it in water to treat heart pain and lower qi."
2. Bencao Biandu: "Regulate qi and relieve diaphragm, suitable for those with stagnant liver and spleen qi."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct and take 8-10 g.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

This product contains limonin and trace amounts of diosmin and hesperidin. The alcohol extract of finger citron has a significant inhibitory effect on intestinal smooth muscle, a notable antispasmodic effect on duodenal spasms induced by acetylcholine, and the ability to dilate coronary vessels and increase coronary blood flow. At high concentrations, it inhibits myocardial contractility, slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure, prolongs the survival time of mice, and protects against experimental myocardial ischemia. Finger citron has a certain effect of dispelling phlegm, and its decoction can counteract histamine-induced contraction of isolated guinea pig trachea.