Description
Santra Chilka — dried mandarin orange peel — is derived from Citrus reticulata (also encompassing Citrus sinensis varieties in the broader trade), the mandarin or tangerine citrus group of the family Rutaceae, believed to have originated in southern China and northeastern India. The outer zest layer (flavedo) is rich in limonene, beta-myrcene, and linalool from the essential oil; while the inner white spongy layer (albedo) contains pectin and hesperidin. In Ayurveda, dried citrus peel (Nimbuka-related) is incorporated in digestive and carminative preparations. In Unani medicine, Qishr-al-Naranj (dried orange peel) features in classical formulations for digestive stimulation and expectoration. Traditional Chinese medicine similarly employs Chen Pi (aged dried citrus peel) as a primary Qi-regulating digestive herb. India is among the world’s leading mandarin-producing nations, with Nagpur, Maharashtra, as the primary production centre.
