Zhi Ke

Bitter orange (mature) | Zhi Ke – The Classic Qi-Regulating Herb for Normal Digestion and Chest ComfortZhi Ke, also known as "Citrus aurantium" or "Immature Bitter Orange Fruit" or "Young Bitter Orange," is the traditional Chinese name for the dried immature fruit of Citrus aurantium, a bitter-acrid herb from the citrus family that has been part of traditional Chinese herbal systems for over 2000 years. This warm, sweet herb is particularly known for its ability to promote normal Qi movement, effectively resolve normal food stagnation, ease normal abdominal distention and gas formation, alleviate normal chest stagnation and discomfort, support normal digestion function and transform normal phlegm accumulation – making it an ideal choice for people with a tendency toward normal food stagnation, normal abdominal bloating, normal chest discomfort, normal digestive sluggishness and normal phlegm-related symptoms.Traditional Understanding in TCM Systems – "The Qi Liberator" Within traditional Chinese medicine, bitter orange mature (Zhi Ke) is described as "the Qi liberator" – a classical herb that addresses normal Qi stagnation throughout the body. In the TCM theoretical framework, it acts on the so‑called Spleen, Stomach and Large Intestine meridians. According to this traditional description, bitter orange (mature) | Zhi Ke specializes in normal "Qi regulation and food-stagnation removal" – which distinguishes it from many other digestive herbs that only address "food."Bitter Orange (Mature) | Zhi Ke is seen in TCM as "the universal Qi-mover herb" – one of the most fundamental herbs for normal digestive harmony AND normal Qi circulation throughout the body.Botanical Composition and ResearchBitter orange (mature) | Zhi Ke contains over 80 bioactive compounds, of which the main ones are:Flavonoids (hesperidin, naringenin, neohesperidin – characteristic components, up to 56% dry weight)Limonoids (limonene – very aromatic, up to 85% essential oil)Essential oils (limonene, linalool, β-myrcene)TriterpenoidsAlkaloids (amine components)Modern scientific research shows that bitter orange (mature) | Zhi Ke components can offer very diverse benefits:Normal Qi-regulation support: Studies show that certain components can support normal stomach muscle contractility and promote normal stomach-food transport.Normal food-stagnation removal: Research suggests that certain components can stimulate normal gastro-intestinal motility and ease normal digestive stasis.Normal gastric protection: Studies show that certain flavonoids can regulate normal stomach-acid secretion and support normal stomach protection.Normal antioxidant action: Hesperidin and other flavonoids possess strong free-radical-fighting action, especially for normal digestive tissues.Normal glucose and lipid balance: Research shows that certain components can support normal blood sugar and normal cholesterol levels.Normal anti-inflammatory action: Flavonoids can help maintain normal inflammation balance, especially in digestive system.Normal phlegm-transformation support: Traditionally used for "phlegm accumulation," research shows that certain components can regulate normal mucus production.Traditional Applications – TCM ContextIn traditional TCM formulas, bitter-orange (mature) | Zhi Ke is classically used in situations described as:Normal food stagnation with normal abdominal distentionNormal gas formation and normal surface discomfortNormal chest discomfort or normal stagnation-related painNormal poor appetite or normal slowed digestionNormal constipation or normal dampness-related diarrheaNormal phlegm accumulation or normal cough with copious phlegmNormal nausea or normal vomiting of food characterNormal persistent chest pain (xiong bi)Normal gallbladder stagnation symptomsNormal reversed-direction Qi (upward vomiting, surface-upward movement)These are traditionalist descriptions that form part of the TCM thinking system and must not be equated with medical diagnoses in the sense of European medicinal product law.Well-being and Daily UseBitter orange (mature) | Zhi Ke is highly valued by modern users as part of daily digestive support, normal food-stagnation prevention and normal Qi-circulation support. It is very suitable for regular daily wellness use.Many users see bitter orange (mature) | Zhi Ke as part of daily eating practices – as a mild, Qi-regulating element for normal digestion, ALWAYS under the guidance of a qualified TCM doctor (especially for chronic digestive problems).