Citron Fruit Classic Formulas — Natural Herb Library

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Regulates Liver and middle-jiao Qi to relieve distention and pain - Xiang Yuan is used for epigastric fullness, abdominal discomfort, chest oppression, and flank tension when stagnant Qi is prominent.
Awakens the Spleen and harmonizes digestion - belching, poor appetite, nausea, and a sense of food or phlegm sitting in the middle burner are common traditional uses.
Transforms phlegm and eases cough - the fruit is classically used when Qi stagnation and phlegm combine to cause cough with abundant sputum or a blocked, stifling chest sensation.

Xiang Yuan with Mu Xiang and Huo Xiang - middle-jiao stagnation pairing logic for belching, poor appetite, and abdominal fullness.
Xiang Yuan with Chai Hu, Yu Jin, and Fo Shou - Liver-Qi-regulating strategy for flank or chest distention and pain.
Xiang Yuan with Ban Xia, Fu Ling, Gua Lou, or Zi Su Zi - phlegm-constraining-the-chest approach for cough with copious sputum and oppression.

American Dragon lists Xiang Yuan as acrid, slightly bitter, sour, and warm, entering the Liver, Spleen, and Lung, with actions of transforming phlegm, moving Qi, easing the middle, and stopping pain.
The same traditional comparison notes distinguish Xiang Yuan from Fo Shou and add that Xiang Yuan Pi has a stronger Qi-circulating function than the fruit itself.
Traditional summaries repeatedly emphasize that the herb is relatively mild and therefore commonly paired with other Qi-regulating or phlegm-resolving medicinals.