Fructus Aurantii Immaturus
Immature Orange Fruit

Source:
The young fruit of Citrus aurantium L. (Fam. Rutaceae).

Distribution:
Mainly in Chinese provinces such as Sichuan, Hunan and Jiangxi; hence the names 'Chuan zhishi' (Sichuan Zhishi), 'Xiang zhishi'
(Hunan Zhishi) and 'Jiang zhishi' (Jiangxi Zhishi) respectively.

Harvest & Processing:
Pick young fruits on the trees or collect fallen ones in May and June; cross-cut big ones into halves; dry under the sun.

Description:
Hemispherical, spherical or ovoid (egg-shaped); 0.5-2.5 cm in diameter. Outer surface dark green or dull brownish-green, marked with granular protuberances and wrinkles. Top part with a conspicuous scar of the style base; base with remnants of floral discs or a carpopodium scar. Cut surface shows slightly protuberant mesocarp yellowish-white or dull yellowish-brown in colour and 3-12 mm thick; margin scattered with 1-2 rows of oil cavities; pulp vesicles reddish-brown. Hard. Odour: fresh and fragrant; taste: bitter and slightly sour.

Indications:
1. Feeling of fullness in the chest and upper abdomen, productive cough and chest pain
2. Diarrhoea, dysentery, constipation
3. Gastroptosis, rectal prolapse, uterine prolapse

Chemical Composition:
Mainly contains flavonoids.

Note:
According to C.P., also used for medicinal purposes is the young fruit of C. sinensis (L) Osbeck.