Dai Dai Hua
StarCitrus aurantium L. var. amara Engl.
☯ TCM Properties
Regulates Qi and Widens the Chest; Harmonizes the Stomach and Stops Vomiting; Strengthens the Spleen and Opens the Appetite; Soothes the Liver and Regulates Qi
Traditional Chinese Uses
Dai Dai Hua (bitter orange flower, Seville orange flower) is a warm, aromatic herb used in Chinese medicine to move Liver Qi, harmonize the Stomach, and calm the Shen. Its Qi-moving action addresses the chest tightness, epigastric fullness, and emotional irritability of Liver Qi stagnation. It also settles nausea, vomiting, and belching from rebellious Stomach Qi. Its mild Shen-calming quality benefits anxiety and mild insomnia related to Liver Qi stagnation causing restlessness.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Citrus aurantium var. amara, the bitter or Seville orange, is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree in the Rutaceae, 4 to 10 meters tall with a dense, rounded crown and stiff, often sharply spiny branches. The bark is grey-brown and the alternate leaves are leathery, broadly ovate to elliptic, 7 to 10 cm long, with a faintly crenulate margin and a characteristically broadly winged petiole. The leaves and other tissues are dotted with translucent oil glands that release a strong citrus aroma when crushed. Flowers are borne singly or in small axillary clusters, white, very fragrant, 2 to 3 cm across, with five thick fleshy petals and numerous yellow stamens; these are the source of orange-flower water and neroli oil. The fruit is a hesperidium 7 to 8 cm in diameter, with a rough, deep orange rind rich in essential oil and a markedly bitter, sour pulp. The dried flower bud and flower constitute the drug Dai Dai Hua.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 3-9g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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