English
Chinese
Author: Professor Chen Dazhen
Image source: Professor Zhang Xianzhe, Atlas of Authentic Medicinal Materials.
The origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival dates back to ancient times. In the Song Dynasty, Wu Zimu’s Meng Liang Lu (Volume 4, Mid-Autumn) records: “The Mid-Autumn Festival on the 15th day of the eighth month marks the middle of autumn, hence it is called Mid-Autumn.” It is also known as the “Eighth Month Festival” or “Reunion Festival.” Customs include moon gazing, eating mooncakes, and drinking osmanthus wine. The roundness of the moon symbolizes family reunion, evoking feelings of missing one’s hometown and loved ones, thus enriching the festival. Among the customs, eating pomelo, a citrus fruit, is one of the most important. However, there are also many commonly used traditional Chinese medicines derived from citrus plants, which will be introduced one by one later. Below are some common and easily confused items.
Pomelo peel, used as a medicinal material, is named “Hua Ju Hong” (化橘紅). It is also commonly known as “Ju Hong” (橘紅) in some areas. According to the third edition of the Taiwan Chinese Medicine Encyclopedia, the primary source is the dried outer peel of immature fruit from the Rutaceae family, specifically the Hua Zhao pomelo (Citrus grandis “Tomentosa”) or pomelo (Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck). Commonly available Hua Zhao pomelo peel is often cut into star shapes with 5, 6, or 7 points, hence the names “Five-Claw,” “Six-Claw,” and “Seven-Claw,” and is typically sold folded. The most renowned variety comes from Huazhou City in Guangdong Province, China, hence the name “Huazhou Ju Hong.” The quality is considered best when it has a mild fragrance and oil cells. Its primary effects include regulating Qi, relieving the middle, drying dampness, and transforming phlegm.
However, another item commonly found is called “Ju Hong” (橘紅). According to the third edition of the Taiwan Chinese Medicine Encyclopedia, its primary source is the dried outer peel of Citrus (Citrus reticulate Blanco) and its cultivated varieties from the Rutaceae family. This type mainly has the effects of dispersing cold, drying dampness, relieving Qi, and resolving phlegm. Although the names are similar, their effects and sources differ, so proper distinction is needed in clinical use.
Huazhou Ju Hong (化州橘紅) contains a variety of chemical components, including volatile oils such as citral, flavonoids like hesperidin, neohesperidin, and naringin, as well as inositol and vitamin B1. The primary quality standard for identification is naringin.
Pharmacological studies have shown that naringin offers several benefits:
- Cardioprotection: It helps protect heart muscle.
- Antioxidant Properties: It acts as a potent antioxidant, inhibiting excessive free radical production.
- Renal Repair: It can repair damage to kidney cells.
- Anti-inflammatory: It reduces inflammation and the occurrence of atherosclerosis.
- Blood Pressure and Lipid Management: It helps lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood lipids.
Due to naringin’s blood pressure-lowering effects, caution is advised when taking it in conjunction with antihypertensive medications.
Juhong: Orange-red fruit peel, thin slices, with densely packed round protrusions, sunken oil cells, yellow-white interior, aromatic and easily crumbled
