Bitter Orange

Citrus Aurantium, a fruit commonly known as bitter orange, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat chest congestion and indigestion, stimulate gastrointestinal function and improve circulation and liver function. In traditional western medicine, Citrus Aurantium has been used to treat digestive and circulatory problems.

Scientific name

Citrus Aurantium

Family

Rutaceae

Native to

Asia

Description

Citrus Aurantium, a fruit commonly known as bitter orange, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat chest congestion and indigestion, stimulate gastrointestinal function and improve circulation and liver function. In traditional western medicine, Citrus Aurantium has been used to treat digestive and circulatory problems.

Active substance(s)

Synephrine, hesperidine, N-methyltyramine, hordenine, octopamine, and tyramine.

Effect

Although synephrine and several other compounds found in bitter orange, are structurally similar to ephedrine and are known to act as stimulants, Citrus Aurantium does not appear to have the same negative central nervous effects of Ma Huang (Ephedra). It is theorized to stimulate fat metabolism without the negative cardiovascular side effects experienced by some people with Ma Huang.

Usage

Rind preparation: gather the rind of any ripe citrus fruit and sun-dry, either whole or cut into thin slices. Seed preparation: place the seed in a container, add an amount of water equal to one fiftieth of the total weight of the seeds, store for a short time and put into a dry kettle. Heat with a weak fire until the materials turn light yellow and smell fragrant. Sundry the material. Crush before using.

Dosage

The typical dose of bitter orange peel is 4-6 grams per day of the dry peel, which is free of the white pulp layer. For the peel extract, a typical dose is 1-2 grams per day. Weight loss remedies usually contain between 100 -200 mg of bitter orange extract in combination with other herbs and supplements. Bitter orange extract commonly contains from 1,5 to 6% synephrine.