Basic Introduction to Hua Juhong
Hua Juhong, also known as Huajuhong, is referred to as the “Southern Ginseng” and is a specialty of Huazhou City, Maoming, Guangdong Province. In China's Ming and Qing dynasties, it was listed as an imperial tribute item, enjoyed exclusively by high-ranking officials. This herb comes from the outer dried peel of immature or nearly mature fruit of the Citrus grandis (Huazhou variety) or Citrus maxima, with the former commonly known as “Mao Juhong” and the latter as “Guang Qi Zha” or “Guang Wu Zha.” Hua Juhong is a type of traditional Chinese medicine produced in Huazhou City, Maoming, Guangdong Province, which thrives in warm and humid conditions. Its fruit, when steeped in water, can help alleviate coughs and expel phlegm. It is a common ingredient in various cough-relieving and phlegm-reducing Chinese patent medicines; it is also frequently exported abroad. Hua Juhong from its native Huazhou is considered the finest due to the natural soil minerals and climate conditions. Once reserved for the imperial court, it is now available to the public. In December 2006, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine approved geographical indication product protection for Hua Juhong.
Nutritional Value
The pulp contains a high level of vitamin C. It has the effects of aiding digestion and detoxifying alcohol.
Hua Juhong is used for regulating qi and transforming phlegm, strengthening the stomach and aiding digestion. It is used for symptoms such as abdominal distension and pain, nausea and vomiting, and loss of appetite caused by stagnation of spleen and stomach qi. Due to its slightly warm and drying nature, it is more effective for those with cold-dampness obstruction. It is often used in combination with Atractylodes and Pinellia, like in the formula Ping Wei San. For those with spleen qi deficiency and cold, it is commonly used with Codonopsis, Atractylodes, and Glycyrrhiza, like in the formula Liu Junzi Tang. It is used for symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and abundant white phlegm due to dampness obstruction, often in combination with Pinellia and Poria, like in the formula Er Chen Tang. When added in small amounts to tonifying herbs, it can invigorate the spleen and assist in digestion, making the tonifying herbs more effective without causing stagnation or greasiness.
Modern pharmacological research has confirmed that it contains volatile oils, inositol, vitamin B1, flavonoids, etc., which can promote gastric juice secretion and aid digestion; dilute phlegm, facilitating its expulsion; and reduce cholesterol levels and decrease capillary fragility to prevent microvascular bleeding.
Product Characteristics
The outer skin is pale red, the inner pericarp is white, and the entire surface has a bristle-like texture. This type is made from Citrus maxima and can also eliminate phlegm. Another highly valued variety consists of five pieces resembling claws, with a seal from Huazhou in the center, named “Five Claw Juhong,” also made from Citrus maxima, which is considered superior to palm-shaped slices. Currently, commercial Hua Juhong takes Mao Juhong (from Citrus grandis Huazhou variety) as the authentic product, while Guang Juhong (from Citrus maxima) is also used medicinally as Hua Juhong. According to Li Shizhen, “The skin of tangerine is finely veined, red, and thin, with many veins inside. Its taste is bitter and spicy… The skin of pomelo is the thickest and hollow, with coarser veins, yellow in color, with more membranes and no veins inside. Its taste is mostly sweet with a little spiciness. These are the distinguishing features.” It can be seen that ancient herbal texts pointed out that there were multiple different varieties of citrus.
History and Folklore
Luoxian Weng Plants Hua Juhong
One day, a person came walking down from upstream on the west bank of the Luo River. He walked slowly, panting with every step, appearing sickly. This man arrived at the mouth of the Luo River and climbed up Shilongtou Hill, coming to rest under an old tree with lush green leaves. His constant coughing seemed to have exhausted him, leaving him unable to walk any further. At this moment, he felt a burning sensation in his throat and tightness in his chest, yearning for a drink of water. Fortunately, there was some water collected in a small stone pit beside him. He bent down and drank from the water in the pit, and after drinking several sips, he felt relieved throughout his body and fell asleep. After an unknown amount of time, he woke up feeling refreshed, with his cough subsiding and his spirits much improved. At this point, he remembered the water he had drunk earlier. Looking down, he saw that the stone pit was right at the roots of the tree, with the water having a yellowish-green hue, and the surface covered with numerous flowers, many of which had sunk to the bottom. Looking up, he saw that the old tree was covered in blossoms, exuding a pleasant fragrance. He realized that this must be the Hua Juhong tree, and it was these flowers that had healed his illness! He thought, “There are many people suffering from coughs; why not plant Hua Juhong widely to treat illnesses for everyone?” Having made up his mind, he built a small thatched hut next to the old tree and settled down. Every day, he would cut branches from the old tree and transplant them to nearby mountainous areas. He worked from dawn till dusk, grafting branches continuously. After three years of diligent work, the area below Baoling Hill became shaded by Hua Juhong trees, their blossoms perfuming the air, and the fruits hanging heavily on the branches. Using the flowers and fruits of Hua Juhong, he treated countless patients with coughs.
One evening, under a full moon, the air was filled with the scent of Hua Juhong. Suddenly, the sound of flutes and drums could be heard in the sky, and a white ox descended and landed next to the man who planted Hua Juhong. He picked up his medicine basket, filled with Hua Juhong fruits and flowers, and mounted the ox, riding along the Luo River to treat the sick on both banks and beyond. Later, people learned that this man was Luoxian Weng.
In memory of Luoxian Weng's efforts in protecting and planting Hua Juhong, the citizens of Huazhou built the magnificent “Luoxian Gate” and “Huayan Hermitage” on the east side of the city gate. The couplet on the hermitage gate reads:
Recalling the past when thousands of orange trees were planted by hand
The immortal's traces remain here, where a thatched hut once stood
Hua Juhong's Ancestor, Luoxian Weng
Everyone praises his salvation of the world and assistance to the people
Luoxian Weng's Hua Juhong
Coughs and phlegm cease, demonstrating miraculous efficacy
Differentiating Genuine from Fake Hua Juhong
Hua Juhong Identification
Hua Juhong vs. Tangerine Peel
The effects of Hua Juhong and tangerine peel are similar, so there were historical pharmacopeias that recorded that Guangdong's Huazhou produces tangerine peel, and the white part removed is called Hua Juhong. In fact, Hua Juhong and tangerine peel have similar odors, shapes, and colors, so some people refer to it as Huazhou tangerine peel. Speaking of tangerine peel, the most renowned is that produced in Xinhui, Guangdong, known as Guang Tangerine Peel. Xinhui tangerine peel is made from the skin of ripe Cha branch oranges, and the older the better, hence the name “tangerine peel.” It is said that Xinhui tangerine peel becomes even more fragrant after crossing the Five Ridges and enduring frosty, cold, and dry climates. Old Guang tangerine peel is very precious. Legend has it that before the founding of the People's Republic of China, Chen Liji pharmacy in Guangzhou sold decades-old Guang tangerine peel using a gold scale, indicating its value.
Due to the high value of