Bitter Orange in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Bitter Orange

Scientific name

Citrus aurantium L. var. amara, Citrus aurantium L. var. dulcis L.

Family

Origin

Far East.

Synonyms

Parts Used

In therapy, the rind of the ripe fruit (bark), the rind of the immature fruit (bark), the flowers and the leaves are used.

Chemical constituents

• Essential oil (Essential oil of flowers called "Neroli");
• Citroflavonoids;
• Sympathomimetic amines such as synephrine (dry extracts of the rind of the immature fruit);
• Coumarins and Furocoumarins.

Bitter Orange in Herbal Medicine: Properties of the Bitter Orange

The peel of the ripe bitter orange fruit is used in infusion as a flavoring and bitter-tonic, and is also present in numerous herbal teas of Official Pharmacopoeia.
The essential oil has anti-inflammatory and disinfectant properties; in phytocosmetics, it is used for its decongestant, antiseptic, purifying, softening and softening properties.
Orange is used as a source of limonene (detergent, anticancer) and hesperidin (capillary-protecting flavonoid).
The rind of the immature fruit is used as a stimulant and anorectic.