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Bitter Orange - Benefits and Side Effects

Bitter orange is an aromatic bitter with a spicy aroma and taste, derived from the dry outer peel of both ripe and unripe fruits of Citrus aurantium, minus the white, spongy parenchyma. It contains the flavanone glycosides naringin and neohesperidin, which are responsible for the bitter flavor. The volatile oils limonene, jasmone, linalyl acetate, geranyl acetate, and citronellyl acetate contribute to the aroma.

A bitter orange aqueous extract may have vasoactive effects. Topical bitter orange has antifungal effects and may be useful as an antiseptic. The plant that bitter orange comes from also contains synephrine and other sympathomimetics that cause central nervous system stimulation, insomnia, hypertension, and tachycardia; bitter orange may also have these effects. Bitter orange is available as a crude, dry orange peel for use in tea and traditional Chinese medicine, capsules, and tablets in weight loss preparations, essential oil, and extracts for topical use.

Benefits And Uses of Bitter Orange

Bitter orange is used to stimulate appetite, aid digestion, and relieve bloating. It’s also used as an antifungal and as a gargle for sore throat, and may aid in weight loss.

Bitter orange is used to improve the taste and smell of herbal teas and is commonly added to sedative teas containing valerian or balm leaves. In traditional Chinese medicine, bitter orange is used to treat prolapsed uterus, prolapsed anus or rectum ,dysentery, abdominal pain, and other GI conditions.

Administration

• Herb: 4 to 6 g by mouth every day.
• Extract: 1 to 2 g by mouth every day .
• Tea: Prepared by steeping peel in 5 oz of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes and then straining .
• Tincture: 2 to 3 g by mouth every day.

Side Effects of Bitter Orange

Bitter orange may be associated with erythema, blisters, pustules, dermatoses leading to scab formation, and pigment spots. It may decrease the effectiveness of antihypertensives, anxiolytics, and sedatives. There is an increased risk of photosensitivity reactions with sun exposure for patients taking bitter orange.

Pregnant and breast feeding patients should avoid use because the effects are unknown. Patients with stomach or intestinal ulcers should avoid use because of bitter orange’s toxic effect on the GI tract. Those with cardiovascular disease anxiety, or insomnia should use bitter orange with caution. Bitter orange may be unsafe for use in children because large amounts can cause intestinal colic, seizures, and death.

Clinical considerations

• Frequent contact with the peel or oil, as through occupational exposure, can cause erythema, blisters, pustules, dermatoses leading to scab formation, and pigment spots.
• Warn patient not to delay seeking appropriate medical evaluation for indigestion, abdominal pain, or bloating because doing so may delay diagnosis of a potentially serious medical condition.
• If patient is pregnant or breast feeding, is planning pregnancy, or suspects that she may be pregnant, advise her not to use bitter orange.
• Advise patient that use of bitter orange may be unsafe in children.
• Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he’s taking when obtaining a new prescription.
• Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.

Research summary

Bitter orange may be effective when taken orally to stimulate appetite and for dyspeptic ailments. Currently there is insufficient scientific evidence evaluating its efficacy for other uses.

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