Natural Herb Library

Tangerine Seed

Chinese
橘核
Pinyin
Ju He
Latin
Semen Citri Reticulatae
Botanical illustration of Tangerine Seed, Citrus reticulata, showing seeds, cut fruit, seed section, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Ju He (橘核), this bitter and bland, neutral herb enters the Liver. Traditionally, it moves qi and alleviates pain ... Ju He is classically used for colicky lower-abdominal, groin, and testicular pain from constrained Liver qi, most often applied for abdominal pain, mastitis, and liver qi stagnation. Modern research has identified Limonoids among its active constituents.

Part used: Seed

Also Known As

Ju He Mandarin seed Citri

Latin: Semen Citri Reticulatae | Pinyin: Ju He | Chinese: 橘核

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter, bland
Temperature
neutral
Channels
Liver

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Moves qi and alleviates pain ... Ju He is classically used for colicky lower-abdominal, groin, and testicular pain from constrained Liver qi.
  • Dissipates nodulation and reduces swelling ... the seed is also chosen for painful breast masses, nodules, and lower-burner qi congestion.
  • Targets Liver-channel constraint more narrowly than citrus peel ... this is a seed medicine for pain and swelling, not a general digestive peel.

Secondary Actions

  • Ju He belongs with Li Zhi He and Chuan Lian Zi in the pain-and-nodule branch of qi-regulating herbs rather than with the broad phlegm-transforming peel family.
  • The medicinal part is the dried seed, which gives this page a much narrower identity than the better-known peel records.

Classic Formulas

  • Ju He Wan ... the best-known named formula lane for testicular swelling, hernia-type pain, and qi stagnation with phlegm nodulation.
  • Ju He with Li Zhi He or Chuan Lian Zi ... common traditional pairing logic for groin and lower-abdominal pain.
  • Ju He with Hai Zao or Kun Bu ... nodule-dissipating strategy when breast or testicular swellings are more prominent.

Classical References

  • Traditional herbology describes Ju He as bitter, bland, and entering the Liver to move qi, dissipate nodules, and relieve pain.
  • Its classic indication list centers on colic pain, testicular swelling, and painful breast masses.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Limonoids from Citrus reticulata seed
  • Limonin and limonin glucosides
  • Seed flavonoid and bitter secondary-metabolite fractions

Studied Effects

  • A 2026 comprehensive review focused specifically on Citrus reticulata seeds and covered traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, quality control, and clinical applications, making it the key modern overview for Ju He (PMID 41183693).
  • Earlier phytochemical work isolated limonoids from Citrus reticulata seeds, helping define the seed's modern chemistry apart from peel literature (PMID 12710721).
  • Limonin and its glucoside from Citrus reticulata seeds inhibited colon adenocarcinoma-cell proliferation through apoptosis in experimental work, illustrating how seed-focused research has moved beyond old pain-herb framing (PMID 21338095).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Patterns without Liver-qi stagnation, nodulation, or pain

Cautions

  • Ju He is for a narrow pain-and-swelling pattern picture and should not be taken simply because a patient has groin, pelvic, or breast pain.
  • Persistent breast masses, testicular swelling, or severe abdominal pain require proper medical evaluation.

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tangerine Seed used for?

Tangerine Seed is traditionally used to Moves qi and alleviates pain ... Ju He is classically used for colicky lower-abdominal, groin, and testicular pain from constrained Liver qi., Dissipates nodulation and reduces swelling ... the seed is also chosen for painful breast masses, nodules, and lower-burner qi congestion., Targets Liver-channel constraint more narrowly than citrus peel ... this is a seed medicine for pain and swelling, not a general digestive peel.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2026 comprehensive review focused specifically on Citrus reticulata seeds and covered traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, quality control, and clinical applications, making it the key modern overview for Ju He (PMID 41183693).; Earlier phytochemical work isolated limonoids from Citrus reticulata seeds, helping define the seed's modern chemistry apart from peel literature (PMID 12710721)..

What are other names for Tangerine Seed?

Tangerine Seed is also known as Ju He, Mandarin seed, Citri. In TCM: 橘核 (Ju He); Semen Citri Reticulatae.

Is Tangerine Seed safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Tangerine Seed during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Tangerine Seed?

Tangerine Seed should not be used in: Patterns without Liver-qi stagnation, nodulation, or pain. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.