Taxonomic Class

Rutaceae

Common Trade Names

None reported.

Common Forms

The two forms of tangerine peel are aged tangerine peel and green (young) tangerine peel. It is available as a peel and in pill form.

Source

After tangerines ripen, the skins are collected and dried.

Chemical Components

Tangerine peel contains dietary fibers and bioflavonoids (naringin and hesperidin). Tangerine seeds contain three limonoids: limonin, nomilin, and obacunone .

Actions

Information regarding the mechanism of action of tangerine peel is limited. Naringin acts as an antimicrobial and hesperidin acts as a blood pressure depressant. Both bioflavonoids have been pharmacologically evaluated as potential anticancer agents and anti-inflammatories and are thought to be associated with preventing hyperlipidemia.

Reported Uses

Tangerine peel has been used to treat anorexia, bloating, diarrhea, flatulence, hyperlipidemia, indigestion, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting. It can also be used as a diuretic, an expectorant, and a sedative.

Dosage

None reported.

Adverse Reactions

None reported.

Interactions

None reported.

Contraindications and Precautions

Some sources suggest that tangerine peel may be contraindicated in patients who have a dry cough or red tongue or in those who are spitting up blood. The red tongue could be a sign of inflammation or infection, which would be aggravated and cause pain in tangerine peel is taken.

Special Considerations

Advise the patient to consult a health care provider before using herbal preparations because a treatment that has been clinically researched and proved effective may be available.

Instruct the patient to report new adverse reactions if using tangerine peel.

Although no known chemical interactions have been reported in clinical studies, consideration must be given to the pharmacologic properties of the herbal product and the potential for exacerbation of the intended therapeutic effect of conventional drugs.

Points of Interest

Tangerine peel essential oil is popular in aromatherapy.

A red or orange peel is favored by some herbalists.

Commentary

Because of the lack of human clinical data, the use of tangerine peel is not recommended. One study in rats appears to show a connection between tangerine peel extracts and the prevention of hyperlipidemia, but further clinical trials are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy.