Tangerine (Citrus reticulata)
Synopsis
Tangerine (Citrus reticulata) is a citrus fruit closely related to mandarin oranges, known for its bright orange peel, sweet flavor, and easy-to-peel skin. Native to Southeast Asia, tangerines are now cultivated globally and consumed both as fresh fruit and as juice, zest, essential oil, and botanical extract. Medicinally, tangerines are valued for their high content of vitamin C, flavonoids (like hesperidin and naringin), carotenoids (like beta-cryptoxanthin), and essential oils (primarily limonene).
Tangerines offer several therapeutic properties:
- Antioxidant: The high vitamin C and flavonoid content supports immune function, cellular repair, and inflammation reduction.
- Digestive aid: The peel and zest are often used to stimulate digestion, reduce bloating, and act as a mild carminative.
- Cardiovascular support: Compounds like nobiletin and hesperidin found in the peel have been shown to support blood vessel integrity, reduce LDL cholesterol, and regulate blood pressure.
- Anti-allergenic and anti-inflammatory: The flavonoid-rich extracts exhibit mild antihistamine activity and support in lowering inflammatory markers.
- Skin and respiratory support: The essential oil is used topically or aromatically to uplift mood, reduce tension, and relieve congestion.
Historical Use:
Tangerines have been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where the dried peel (Chen Pi) is considered an important herb for regulating qi (energy flow), resolving phlegm, and strengthening the spleen and stomach. It is often used in decoctions for digestive disorders, cough with mucus, and bloating.
In Ayurveda, citrus fruits like tangerine are used to balance digestion, cool internal heat, and nourish the body with natural antioxidants. The fruit is seen as sattvic (pure, light, and beneficial for clarity of mind), and is recommended to boost immunity, support skin clarity, and hydrate during warm seasons.
Throughout the Mediterranean and North Africa, tangerines have been used in folk remedies to aid appetite, soothe nervous tension, and treat mild fevers or colds, often as warm infusions made from the peel.
Modern Applications:
Today, tangerines are used in nutritional supplements, essential oil therapies, skin care products, and metabolic health formulas. Tangerine extract and peel are also under investigation for their potential anticancer, antidiabetic, and liver-protective effects, particularly due to polymethoxylated flavones like nobiletin and tangeretin.
Tangerine essential oil, cold-pressed from the peel, is commonly used in aromatherapy for its uplifting, calming, and anti-nausea effects, and is a favorite among children and those with sensitive constitutions due to its gentle nature.
Body Systems
Digestive System (Science)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Science)
Immune System (Science)
Liver (Science)
Respiratory System (Science)