Bitter Orange

What is bitter Orange?
Also called bitter orange, city orange, bitter orange, the bitter citrus tree is native to Japan and tropical Asia.

Where is Bitter Orange grown?
Today,it is adult throughout the Mediterranean region, North America including California and other American states in addition to Asia.

Medicinal Value of Bitter Orange
Bitter orange oil is employed in foods, cosmetics, and aromatherapy. Bitter orange oil from the tree’s leaves is called petitgrain, and oil from the flowers is named neroli. Bitter orange has been used in ancient Chinese drugs and by endemic folks of theAmazon rain forest for nausea, upset stomach, and constipation.

Uses of Bitter Orange
Bitter orange has been used to treat:
 * Heartburn
 * Loss of appetite
 * Nasal congestion, and
 * Weight loss.

It is also applied to the skin for fungal infections such as ringworm and athlete’s foot.

How is bitter orange supplied?
he dried fruit and peel extracts are available as tablets, and capsules.

Bitter orange oil can also be applied to the skin.

Scientific evidence for Bitter Orange
According to the ACCAM, there is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of bitter orange for health purposes.

Warning from FDA on Bitter Orange with Ephedra
Many herbal weight-loss products now use concentrated extracts of bitter orange peel in place of ephedra. However, bitter orange contains the chemical synephrine, which is similar to the mainchemical in ephedra. The U.S. Food and Drug Administrationbanned ephedra because it raises blood pressure and is linked to heart attacks and strokes; it is unclear whether bitter orange has similar effects. There is currently little evidence that bitter orange is safer to use than ephedra.

Side Effects and Cautions for Bitter Orange

 * Because bitter orange contains chemicals which will speed up the center rate and lift blood pressure, it's going to not be safe to use as a dietary supplement.


 * There are reports of fainting,heart attack, and stroke in healthy folks when taking bitter orange supplements alone or combined with caffein.


 * Avoid taking bitter orange supplements if they need a heart condition or high pressure, or if they're taking medications (such as MAO inhibitors), caffeine, or alternative herbs/supplements that speed up the center rate.


 * Owing to lack of safety proof, pregnant ladies or nursing mothers ought to avoid bitter orange.


 * Bitter orange oil used on the skin might increase the danger of sunburn, significantly in white folks.

Adapted from information from ACCAM.

Also see

FDA warning on Bitter orange