Pummelo Peel
- Chinese
- 化橘红
- Pinyin
- Hua Ju Hong
- Latin
- Exocarpium Citri Grandis
Known in TCM as Hua Ju Hong (化橘红), this acrid and bitter, warm herb enters the Lung and Spleen. Traditionally, it dries dampness and transforms phlegm ... Hua Ju Hong is a classic citrus-phlegm herb for copious sputum, chest oppression, and dampness obstructing the Lung and middle burner, most often applied for productive cough, wheezing, and nausea. Modern research has identified Flavonoids among its active constituents.
Part used: Outer peel
Also Known As
Latin: Exocarpium Citri Grandis | Pinyin: Hua Ju Hong | Chinese: 化橘红
TCM Properties
- Taste
- acrid, bitter
- Temperature
- warm
- Channels
- Lung, Spleen
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Dries dampness and transforms phlegm ... Hua Ju Hong is a classic citrus-phlegm herb for copious sputum, chest oppression, and dampness obstructing the Lung and middle burner.
- Relieves cough and calms wheezing ... it is especially valued when thick sticky phlegm makes the cough heavy, noisy, or hard to clear.
- Supports the Spleen and improves food stagnation ... compared with lighter citrus peels, the thick pummelo rind is more strongly phlegm-facing but still assists a burdened middle burner.
Secondary Actions
- This page should stay on thick aromatic pummelo exocarp and pith rather than drifting into Chen Pi, Qing Pi, or other citrus-peel lanes.
- Huajuhong is more strongly phlegm-and-cough oriented than a generic culinary pomelo peel.
Classic Formulas
- Ju Hong Wan and related cough formulas ... Hua Ju Hong is chosen when phlegm is thick and hard to transform.
- Er Chen Tang modifications ... it can deepen the citrus-phlegm direction when dampness and cough travel together.
- Middle-burner and phlegm combinations ... the herb is used when cough, nausea, and poor appetite overlap.
Classical References
- Traditional medicine describes Hua Ju Hong as warming, drying, and strongly phlegm-transforming with a special affinity for cough and wheezing.
- Its thick coarse peel helps explain why it is treated as more substantial than thin tangerine peel.
- The herb is chosen for damp-phlegm and cold-phlegm tendencies, not for dry deficiency cough.
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Flavonoids including naringin-related citrus compounds ... major bioactives repeatedly discussed in Huajuhong research
- Coumarins from pomelo peel ... contributors to anti-inflammatory study interest
- Other peel phenolics and volatile compounds ... relevant to lung-inflammatory and oxidative-stress work
Studied Effects
- A 2019 study found that total flavonoids from Exocarpium Citri Grandis reduced particulate-air-pollution-induced pulmonary inflammation and oxidative stress in mice, which is a strong modern correlate for the herb's Lung-phlegm reputation (PMID 31762039).
- A 2024 study reported that Exocarpium Citri Grandis ameliorated LPS-induced acute lung injury by suppressing inflammation, the NLRP3 inflammasome, and ferroptosis, reinforcing its respiratory anti-inflammatory profile (PMID 38588989).
- A 2019 study on pomelo peel coumarins reported anti-inflammatory effects, supporting the broader pharmacologic plausibility of Hua Ju Hong's traditional phlegm and cough applications (PMID 31318199).
PubMed References
- Effects of Total Flavonoids from Exocarpium Citri Grandis on Air Pollution Particle-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Mice. (2019)
- Exocarpium Citri Grandis ameliorates LPS-induced acute lung injury by suppressing inflammation, NLRP3 inflammasome, and ferroptosis. (2024)
- Anti-inflammatory Effect of Pomelo Peel and Its Bioactive Coumarins. (2019)
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Dry cough from Yin deficiency without damp-phlegm
- Marked fluid depletion or dryness aggravated by aromatic drying herbs
Cautions
- Hua Ju Hong is stronger and rougher in texture than everyday citrus peel foods.
- Because it is warming and drying, it is a poor fit for coughs driven mainly by dryness without phlegm.
Conditions
- Productive Cough Traditional ★★★★☆ JSON
- Wheezing Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
- Nausea Traditional ★★☆☆☆ JSON
- Poor Appetite Traditional ★★☆☆☆ JSON
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pummelo Peel used for?
Pummelo Peel is traditionally used to Dries dampness and transforms phlegm ... Hua Ju Hong is a classic citrus-phlegm herb for copious sputum, chest oppression, and dampness obstructing the Lung and middle burner., Relieves cough and calms wheezing ... it is especially valued when thick sticky phlegm makes the cough heavy, noisy, or hard to clear., Supports the Spleen and improves food stagnation ... compared with lighter citrus peels, the thick pummelo rind is more strongly phlegm-facing but still assists a burdened middle burner.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2019 study found that total flavonoids from Exocarpium Citri Grandis reduced particulate-air-pollution-induced pulmonary inflammation and oxidative stress in mice, which is a strong modern correlate for the herb's Lung-phlegm reputation (PMID 31762039).; A 2024 study reported that Exocarpium Citri Grandis ameliorated LPS-induced acute lung injury by suppressing inflammation, the NLRP3 inflammasome, and ferroptosis, reinforcing its respiratory anti-inflammatory profile (PMID 38588989)..
What are other names for Pummelo Peel?
Pummelo Peel is also known as Huajuhong, Pummelo Exocarp, Citri. In TCM: 化橘红 (Hua Ju Hong); Exocarpium Citri Grandis.
Is Pummelo Peel safe during pregnancy?
The safety of Pummelo Peel during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for Pummelo Peel?
Pummelo Peel should not be used in: Dry cough from Yin deficiency without damp-phlegm; Marked fluid depletion or dryness aggravated by aromatic drying herbs. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.