For those with weak spleen and stomach or excessive phlegm-dampness, it's best to keep dried tangerine peel (Chenpi) readily available in the kitchen. Chenpi is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine that regulates qi, harmonizes the middle burner, dries dampness, and transforms phlegm. It is often used to treat chest and abdominal distension, poor appetite, and cough with excessive phlegm.
In Guangdong, people frequently add dried tangerine peel to dishes. This stems from Guangdong's location in Lingnan, where the climate is humid. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that prolonged exposure to damp environments can cause individuals to absorb "dampness pathogens," impairing spleen and stomach function. Additionally, various meats and rich, greasy foods are considered heavy and greasy in nature, and excessive consumption can also damage the spleen and stomach.
Therefore, adding a moderate amount of dried tangerine peel when cooking meat dishes serves dual purposes: its aromatic properties eliminate the gamey or greasy odors of meat while enhancing flavor to stimulate appetite. Simultaneously, it fully harnesses the peel's medicinal effects—regulating qi, harmonizing the stomach, invigorating the spleen through its fragrance, and dispelling dampness and phlegm—thereby reducing the harm caused by phlegm-dampness and greasy, rich foods to the spleen and stomach.
Individuals residing in coastal regions or other humid environments, as well as those with weak spleen and stomach function or significant phlegm-dampness, may benefit from adding appropriate amounts of dried tangerine peel when preparing meat dishes. Mao Wei notes that when using dried tangerine peel as a seasoning in cooking, the quantity and method of application should be determined based on one's constitution, taste preferences, and specific cooking technique.
For example, when using braising or stewing methods, generally add 10–20 grams of large dried tangerine peel pieces to 500 milliliters of braising liquid or broth. Those with stronger palates, weak spleen and stomach, or significant phlegm-dampness may increase the amount appropriately.For braising or stewing, wash the dried tangerine peel, cut it into thin strips, and add it directly to the meat during cooking. Additionally, dried tangerine peel can be used as a seasoning in hot pot dishes.Winter is an ideal season for nourishing the body, but certain tonic ingredients may cause discomfort like bloating or loss of appetite during consumption. Adding appropriate amounts of dried tangerine peel—which regulates qi and harmonizes the stomach—alongside spleen-strengthening and dampness-resolving ingredients like coix seed and poria, can help mitigate these discomforts.
For those experiencing gastrointestinal dysfunction due to overindulgence, consuming plain white rice porridge alongside a decoction or infusion made with 3 slices of ginger, 3 jujubes, and 1–2 pieces of dried tangerine peel can provide effective regulation. This helps promote rapid recovery of digestive function.