Ju He (橘核) — Tangerine Seed | TCM Herb Guide

At a Glance

• Herb: Ju He
• Chinese name: 橘核 (Jú Hé)
• Latin name: Citrus reticulata seed
• Nature: Neutral
• Taste: Bitter
• Meridian: Liver / Kidney
• Category: Herbs that Regulate Qi
• Introduction: Ju He (橘核), Semen Citri Reticulatae, is the dried seed of Citrus reticulata, the mandarin orange. A qi-moving herb that specifically targets the liver meridian in the lower jiao, it disperses cold accumulation, softens nodules, and relieves pain — primarily for cold hernia, orchitis, and breast lumps. Its limonoids and flavonoids exhibit anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, supporting its traditional use in swelling and pain conditions.

Action

• Moves qi and disperses cold stagnation
• Relieves pain (hernia, testicular, breast)
• Softens hardness and disperses nodules
• Regulates liver qi in the lower jiao

Clinical Application

• Cold hernia with testicular pain and swelling — combines with Li Zhi He, Xiao Hui Xiang, Wu Yao
• Orchitis with nodular hardness — combines with Hai Zao, Kun Bu, Chuan Lian Zi
• Breast lumps (ru pi) from liver qi stagnation — combines with Chai Hu, Xiang Fu, Qing Pi
• Lower abdominal cold pain from qi stagnation — combines with Xiao Hui Xiang, Wu Yao

Precautions

• Dosage: 3–9 g in decoction; crush before decocting
• Contraindicated in heat-type swelling and pain (orchitis with fever, heat signs)
• Avoid in yin deficiency with internal heat
• Use with caution in qi deficiency patterns
• Often stir-fried (炒) to enhance qi-moving and analgesic effect

Formula

• Ju He Wan (橘核丸): Ju He, Li Zhi He, Hai Zao, Kun Bu, Chuan Lian Zi, Tao Ren, Mu Xiang, Hou Po, Mu Tong, Yan Hu Suo, Gui Zhi — softens hardness, moves qi, relieves cold hernia
• Ju He San (橘核散): Ju He, Xiao Hui Xiang, Mu Xiang — simple formula for cold hernia and scrotal pain
• Ju He + Qing Pi + Xiang Fu: standard combination for breast lumps from liver qi stagnation

Combinations

• 荔枝核 (Lì Zhī Hé) — classic pair: cold hernia with testicular pain and swelling; both regulate liver qi in the lower jiao (橘核丸 core pairing). 2. 小茴香 (Xiǎo Huí Xiāng) + 肉桂 (Ròu Guì) — severe cold hernia with scrotal pain. 3. 乌药 (Wū Yào) + 延胡索 (Yán Hú Suǒ) — cold qi stagnation causing lower abdominal pain. 4. 海藻 (Hǎi Zǎo) + 昆布 (Kūn Bù) — phlegm-stasis causing testicular or breast masses. 5. 浙贝母 (Zhè Bèi Mǔ) + 夏枯草 (Xià Kū Cǎo) — breast nodules from phlegm-qi stagnation. Source: 济生方 (橘核丸), 本草纲目.

Pharmacological Effects

• limonin
  • Analgesic: inhibits PGE₂ synthesis and blocks TRPV1 pain receptor activation
  • Analgesic: reduces visceral pain in cold hernia models
  • Antiestrogenic: competes with estradiol at ERα
  • Antiestrogenic: may reduce estrogen-driven breast nodule growth
• nobiletin
  • Anti-inflammatory: inhibits NF-κB, COX-2, and MAPK pathways
  • Anti-inflammatory: reduces scrotal and testicular inflammation
• nomilin
  • Antitumor: induces apoptosis and autophagy in prostate and breast cancer lines
• limonoids
  • Antifungal: disrupt fungal cell membrane ergosterol
• naringenin
  • Digestive: stimulates bile secretion
  • Digestive: improves fat digestion

Classic Description

• Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》): ‘Treats Small Intestine hernia and swelling and pain of the genitals; stir-fried and ground, taken with wine — very effective.’
• Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao (《日华子本草》): ‘Treats lumbar pain, Bladder qi, and Kidney pain; stir-fried with shell removed, taken with wine — effective.’
• Ben Cao Bei Yao (《本草备要》): ‘Bitter and warm; moves Liver qi; treats lumbar pain, hernia qi, and breast abscess.’