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Tangerine
Citrus reticulata, JU
The tangerine, ju, is also called zhu ju (vermilion tangerine) and mi ju
(honey tangerine). It is a small evergreen tree reaching a height of 5
meters. The fruit is like a flattened ball with a diameter of about 45 mm.
The top of the fruit is concave, the skin vermilion red and covered with
small oil pores, and it is easy to peel. There is a small hollow in the
centre of the fruit, and the juicy part of the fruit is contained in 7
segments, more or less.
The fruit has a sweet, or slightly acid-sweet flavor. Its nature is cool.
Inside are egg shaped seeds. The fruit ripens in the autumn and winter. It
helps promote the flow of vital energy, benefits the spleen and lungs and
helps stop coughs.
'The skin has a bitter flavor, its nature is warm. It helps promote the flow
of vital energy, and clears phlegm. The flavor of the seed is bitter, its
nature neither hot nor cold. The seeds also help the flow of vital energy
and help stop pain.
The fruit contains glucose, fructose, sucrose, vitamins B1 and C, carotene,
malic acid, citric acid, glucoside, etc.
APPLICATIONS
1. SEVERAL TYPES OF INFECTION; CHRONIC ILLNESS NEEDING EXTRA NUTRITION. Take
60-90 grams of fresh fruit, discard the skin and eat. Do this 2-3 times a
day.
2. INDIGESTION; LACK OF APPETITE. Take 60 grams of half-ripe fresh fruit,
discard the skin and eat. Do this twice a day.
3. FEVER WITH THIRST; DRY THROAT AND TONGUE. Take 250 grams of fresh fruit,
discard the skin, squeeze and obtain the juice. Drink this 2-3 times daily.
4. HANGOVER. Take 250-500 grams of fresh fruit, discard the skin and eat in
one sitting, or squeeze the juice and drink this in one serve.
5. BURNING COUGH. Take 60 grams of fresh fruit (including the skin) and 30
grams of sugar. Add water, steam then mash. Eat this every evening before
bed.
6. NO COORDINATION BETWEEN SPLEEN AND STOMACH; VOMITING. Take 6 grams of
fruit skin, 3 grams of fresh ginger, cover with water, simmer and serve. Do
this twice a day. Alternatively take 30 grams of tangerine cake and slowly
chew it.
7. DIARRHEA THROUGH EATING TOO MUCH RAW OR COLD MELON OR FRUIT. Take 30
grams of tangerine cake and slowly chew it. Do this again after 4 hours.
8. BREASTS INFLAMED OR RED, SWOLLEN AND PAINFUL. Take 15 grams of fruit
seed, cover with an equal amount of water and wine and simmer for some time.
Drink the liquid 3 times a day.
9. HERNIA PAIN; TESTICLES SWOLLEN AND PAINFUL; LUMBAGO. Take 30 grams of
fruit seeds, stir-fry till yellow then crush finely. Add 30-60 grams of rice
wine* and drink. Do this both early in the morning and in the evening.
(*Japanese sake can be used. Ed.)
PREPARATIONS
TANGERINE CAKE. Take a quantity of fresh fruit and leave in the sun until it
is half dry. Put the fruit in a container and press it flat. Pour over it
boiling syrup made from sugar and water. When the syrup has soaked in this
is called tangerine cake.
WARNING
People with a cough caused by 'cold-evil' or dropsy should not eat this
fruit. People suffering from a deficiency of vital energy or a deficiency of
yin with a dry cough, or people vomiting blood should not eat the fruit
skin.
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