Tangerine peel, known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as Chen Pi, is one of the most revered herbs in the Chinese pharmacopeia. It has been documented since the Han Dynasty (2nd century BCE) in the Shen Nong Bencao Jing, the foundational encyclopedia of Chinese herbalism, and still used today. The name tells the story: Chen means “aged” and Pi means “peel.” The skin is aged a minimum of three years and can be stored up to 60 years, treasured much like a fine French wine. Older peels fetch high prices at auction, as the deeper the dis-ease, the older the peel. Fresh peel starts bright orange with a vivid, spiced citrus scent. Over time, it fades to pale orange, then deepens into rich brown. Chinese folklore says that holding an aged peel to the light reveals oil cells that resemble “scattered stars across the sky.” The most prized Chen Pi comes from Xinhui in Guangdong Province, home to a dedicated museum where visitors can learn about the herb and buy aged peels. Medicinal benefits. Brewed as a tea, Chen Pi delivers a warming, subtly sweet citrus flavor with gentle medicinal depth. As a Qi-regulating herb, it supports the spleen and stomach, easing indigestion, bloating, belching, nausea, poor appetite and acid reflux — especially after rich meals. It also enters the lung channel to clear cough caused by phlegm that rises from the digestive system. It is not intended for daily long-term use and should be avoided during dry cough. How to make your own. To make your own Chen Pi, eat or juice the tangerines, scrape out the white pith with a spoon and let them dry out on the counter. After a couple of days, I place them in the sun for a few more days, preferring this to a dehydrator or oven, especially in the summer. Place them in a brown bag for a day or two, then return the peels to the sun for one final day. Store them in glass jars or ceramic containers in a cool, dark cupboard and bring them into the sun every few months. You can use them right away in tea, coffee, soups or baked goods, or let time deepen them for greater medicinal potency. Diane Sheppard is a licensed acupuncturist and doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine with AcQPoint Wellness Center. She can be reached at (760) 345.2200. For more information, visit www.acqpoint.com. Sources: 1) John K. Chen and Tina T. Chen, Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (City of Industry, CA: Art of Medicine Press, 2004); 2) Henry C. Lu, Chinese Natural Cures (New York: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 1994); 3) https://baike.baidu.com/en/item/ Chenpi%20Village/57848 www.DesertHealthNews.com July/August 2026 Natural Options The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 8 www.acqpoint.com Get relief from pain and stress now! Traditional Chinese Medicine Meets Modern Healing Cupping Chinese Herbs Acupuncture K-Laser Cupping Chinese Herbs K-Laser Call 760.345.2200 Text 760.404.0194 45-190 Club Drive • Indian Wells Book online at AcQpoint.com Diane Sheppard, PhD, LAc ACUPUNCTURE CHINESE HERBS If truth be told, when my cat Mazel showed up five years ago, just after the loss of my beloved dog Havi, I was pondering rescuing a dog. In hindsight, I’ve become acutely aware that God must get a good laugh while we are busy making plans. I’ve never really given much thought to aligning with an animal’s spirit, one that possesses the qualities and attributes of who I am or aspire to be. If I did, I might imagine that animal to be a doggedly devoted dog or a horse, strong and sturdy when confronted by “neigh” sayers. Other choices might be a sloth, committed with each step of “slowbriety,” or for sure a monkey, playful and spontaneous. Possibly a lion, keeping its pride in check, or a dolphin, taking a risk to leap out of its element without fear. Maybe an elephant who never forgets but can learn to forgive. Or, a bee who can “behive” appropriately when in a sticky situation. But as I gaze at dozing Mazel, who admittedly was an acquired taste, I am reminded that I have been selectively invited into a cat’s world. Accepting that invitation, I’ve been able to recognize some “purrfectly” imperfect parts of me, and would like to share a few pearls of wisdom I have learned from life with a cat. mMazel has taught me about boundaries. One doesn’t approach a cat and automatically pet them. As with humans, cats have their own definition of what ‘safe space’ looks like and it’s up to us to honor it. Keep poking a bear (I mean cat) and it could end up a wounding experience. hHave you ever witnessed a relaxed cat, eyes closed with its head propped up? When thoughts race like a cascading waterfall through the human brain, observing a cat in chill mode can reduce overthinking to a trickle. It only takes a few minutes each day to oxygenate the brain by breathing deeply, inhaling relaxation and exhaling tension. Anything catastrophic can wait. gI’m learning that when life is hard, it’s ok to reach for a helping hand, as exemplified by Mazel when we met. He showed up on my doorstep wounded and starving, but mustering as much dignity in the moment as he could. Pain, sadness and hurt can coexist with dignity and integrity. Rather than reacting impulsively, conserve your energy and allow time to heal wounds. qPlaytime with Mazel allows me to engage and interact with the lighter side of myself. I “hissterically” watch Mazel with unrelenting zoomies run and stop and return to normal on a dime. I’m sure he gets the last laugh when he jumps out of nowhere and gives me a good scare. 4Even when hills feel like mountains and life feels like an uphill climb, Mazel has taught me to land on both feet with a fearless desire to ascend to new heights. It’s pretty evident that Mazel chose his home and human, but the truest gift I’ve received is how to embrace the unexpected with interest and curiosity, which I’ve learned is very much the true nature of a feline. Dr. Amy Austin is a licensed marriage and family therapist (MFC#41252) and doctor of clinical psychology in Rancho Mirage. She can be reached at (760) 774.0047. If My Spirit Animal Were a Cat By Amy Austin, PSYD, LMFT Mazel found his human in Dr. Amy. Tangerine peels drying on Dr. Sheppard’s kitchen counter Dried tangerine peels are one of the most revered herbs in Chinese pharmacopeia. Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) in TCM By Diane Sheppard, PhD, LAc Mindfully Crafted Culinary Ingredients | Artisanal Teas Wellness Supplements | Natural Body Care | Gifts 115 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs CA | 442.998.4085 PALM SPRINGS
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