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The dried unripe fruit of Citrus aurantium or its cultivars (Rutaceae). Enters the Spleen and Stomach channels. Bitter, pungent, sour, and slightly cold, it is milder than zhishi and excels at relaxing the middle and reducing distention. A commonly used medicinal for regulating qi, broadening the chest, and eliminating focal distention.
行气力猛，多用于气滞实证
缓和燥性，适合脾胃虚弱者
煎服3–10g。炒用行气力缓，生用力峻。
Reference range for non-pregnant adults. Not a personalized prescription. Pregnancy, lactation, and pediatric use require specialist supervision.
Protective guidance only — when to avoid or use with caution. This block deliberately omits pregnancy, lactation, and pediatric dosing: any such use must be managed by a qualified TCM practitioner or appropriate specialist.
脾胃虚弱、气虚下陷者慎用。孕妇慎用。
过量易伤脾胃正气。孕妇不宜大量使用。
味苦，寒。主大风在皮肤中，如麻豆苦痒，除寒热结，止痢，长肌肉，利五脏。
@misc{bencaodian-zhi-ke,
author = {{Bencaodian Editorial}},
title = {Zhǐ Ké 枳壳 (Bitter Orange (Unripe Fruit)) — Aurantii Fructus},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {Bencao Dian: A Bilingual Knowledge Graph of Traditional Chinese Medicine},
url = {https://bencaodian.org/en/herbs/zhi-ke},
urldate = {2026-04-16},
note = {CC BY-SA 4.0}
}© Bencaodian Editorial · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
枳壳含柚皮苷、新橙皮苷、辛弗林等，能促进胃肠蠕动、升高胃肠平滑肌张力，并有轻度升压作用，与其行气消胀功效相对应。
Zhike contains naringin, neohesperidin, and synephrine, which promote gastrointestinal motility, increase smooth muscle tone, and exert mild pressor effects, corresponding to its qi-moving and distention-reducing actions.
《中国药典》以柚皮苷、新橙皮苷为含量测定指标。
Chinese Pharmacopoeia uses naringin and neohesperidin as assay markers.
枳壳作用较枳实缓和，偏于行气宽中，适合气滞而不耐猛攻者。
Bensky notes Zhike is milder than Zhishi, better suited for qi stagnation in patients who cannot tolerate strong purgation.
This section is provided for academic reference only and does not constitute medical advice.