Sun-dried tangerine peels, or chenpi, are used as a seasoning in Chinese cooking, and also as a medicine. They smell a bit like cinnamon and have a slightly bitter taste.
In traditional Chinese medicine, sun-dried tangerine peels also aid digestion. They counteract symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, hiccups, reflux, nausea, and vomiting. After a heavy meal, drink a glass of water containing one piece of sun-dried tangerine peel to feel less full.
In winter, try hot meat bone soup with one or two pieces of sun-dried tangerine peels. It smells good and improves your digestion.
Benefits of sun-dried tangerine peels
- They regulate qi and promote downward movement, improve the transportive function of the spleen, relieve the diaphragm — abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, nausea, vomiting
- Dry dampness and transform phlegm — coughs with stifling sensation in the chest/diaphragm and copious viscous sputum
- Prevent stagnation — stops cloying of tonifying herbs
- Relieve coughing by helping to eliminate mucus
The following recipe combines the benefits of lemon and sun-dried tangerine peels to help rid swelling and reduce excessive body heat and toxins. With ice, it also can cool you down rapidly in the heat of summer.
Chenpi, lemon, and coix seed soup
Ingredients:
- 1 piece of sun-dried tangerine peel
- 5 tsp of coix seeds
- 2 lemons
- Sugar or ice to taste
Directions:
- Wash the coix seeds and sun-dried tangerine peel, then soak for an hour
- Boil them both for about an hour
- Peel the lemon skins, and cut the pulp into small squares
- Add the lemon and sugar to the boiled coix seed and sun-dried tangerine peel soup
- Heat gently for a further 20 minutes
- Allow to cool or add ice if desired before drinking
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