Evidence supporting the use of: Tangerine
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Tangerine (Citrus reticulata) has been traditionally used in various systems of herbal medicine, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), to support respiratory health and manage cough (including spastic or dry coughs). In TCM, the dried peel of tangerine, known as "Chen Pi," is a common remedy included in formulas for resolving phlegm, regulating Qi (energy), and alleviating coughs. Historical texts describe its use for conditions involving stagnation in the chest and lungs, where it is thought to help "move" stuck phlegm and ease cough spasms. The traditional belief is that tangerine peel has expectorant and antitussive (cough-suppressing) properties, and it is often combined with other herbs for enhanced effect.

From a scientific perspective, while tangerine peel contains bioactive compounds such as flavonoids (e.g., hesperidin, nobiletin, and tangeretin) that have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, direct clinical evidence supporting its efficacy for spastic cough is limited. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest mild antitussive and bronchodilatory effects of these compounds, but robust human studies are lacking. Therefore, the use of tangerine for cough (spastic) is primarily justified by tradition, with some preliminary pharmacological data offering weak support. The overall quality and quantity of evidence remain modest, meriting a rating of 2 out of 5.

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