Chinese Bulk Herbs – Bitter Orange (Zhi Shi)

Bitter Orange, also known as Zhi Shi, is effective as a weight loss herb because of its active ingredient Synephrine. Synephrine is a mild stimulant that increases the metabolism. It also has tyramine and octopamine that control appetite. Zhi shi helps with physical endurance and calms the nervous system.

Immature fruit bitter Orange — dried fruit of the orange or Chih-Shih
It’s also used for chest congestion and coughs plus gastrointestinal and digestive conditions

It is the essential herb for breaking qi and relieving stuffiness, for it has strong actions of promoting flow of middle energizer qi, and can break qi and dissipate nodulation, relieve stuffiness and fullness.
It is good at resolving phlegm and removing stagnation, breaking stagnant qi and unblocking stuffiness. For chest impediment due to accumulation of phlegm-turbidity, deficiency of chest-yang and qi stagnation in chest, it is usually combined with the yang-warming, phlegm-turbidity-resolving and chest-soothing herbs.

Clinical Use (Chinese):
Break up Qi stagnation, reduce accumulations, transform phlegm, expel focal distention, abdominal pain, indigestion, and constipation

Latin Name:
citrus aurantium

Chinese Name:
Zhi Shi

Common Names:
bitter orange, green orange, sour orange, Seville orange, bigarade orange, marmalade orange

Parts Used:
The fruit.

Properties:
bitter, sour, acrid and slightly cold

Cautions:
There are no known side effects.

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

**This information is provided to assist trained practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine with selection of products. If you are not familiar with these formulas or concepts, please consult an acupuncturist or herbal practitioner trained in the use of Chinese herbs or refer to more in-depth reference materials. Chinese herbal remedies are meant to improve health and function, not act as a substitute for medical care.