Bitter Orange
Other Names: Aurantii Fructus, Aurantii fructus immaturus, Aurantii pericarpium, Aurantium, Bigarade, Bitter Orange Flower, Bitter Orange Peel, Chao Zhi Ke, Chisil, Citrus amara, Citrus aurantium, Citrus bigarradia, Citrus vulgaris, Extrait de Zeste d’Orange, Fleur d’Orange Amère, Fructus Aurantii, Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, Green Orange, Kijitsu, Methyl-Synephrine HCl, Méthyl-Synéphrine HCl, Naranja Amarga, Neroli Oil, Norsynephrine, Octopamine, Octopamine HCl, Orange Amère, Orange de Séville, Orange Peel Extract, Orange Verte, Seville Orange, Shangzhou Zhiqiao, Sour Orange, Synephrine, Synéphrine, Synephrine HCl, Synéphrine HCl, Zeste d’Orange Amère, Zhi Ke, Zhi Qiao, Zhi Shi.
Citrus aurantium, more commonly known as bitter orange, has evergreen foliage and can grow up to a maximum of 25 feet in height. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, there is Citrus sinensis or what is widely known as sweet orange. Depending on the particular sub-variety, a sweet orange tree has evergreen leaves and can reach up to about 40 feet. Bitter orange oil is made from the peel. The peel, flower, leaf, fruit, and fruit juice are used to make medicine.
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Special Precautions of Bitter Orange
- Bitter orange is LIKELY SAFE for children and adults when taken in the amounts found in food. But bitter orange is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken as a supplement for a medical purpose such as weight loss. Bitter orange, particularly when taken with stimulants such as caffeine or caffeine-containing herbs, increases the risk for high blood pressure, fainting, heart attack, stroke, and other severe side effects.
- There are reports that bitter orange can trigger headaches, including migraine and cluster headaches, in some people.
- Bitter orange can cause sensitivity to the sun. Wear sunblock outside, especially if you are light-skinned.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Bitter orange is LIKELY SAFE during pregnancy when used in the amounts found in food. However, it is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used in medicinal amounts. The effects of bitter orange on breast-feeding infants aren’t known. Stay on the safe side and avoid using bitter orange during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
- High blood pressure: Some studies suggest that bitter orange, especially in combination with caffeine, can increase blood pressure in healthy people. Other studies have found no such blood pressure elevation. To date, there haven’t been any studies looking at the effect of bitter orange on blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure. Don’t take a chance. Avoid using bitter orange, especially in combination with stimulants such as caffeine, if you have high blood pressure.
- Glaucoma: Bitter orange might worsen glaucoma. Avoid using it if you have this condition.
- Heart disease: Using bitter orange, especially in combination with caffeine or other stimulants, might increase the risk of serious side effects in people with a particular heart problem called “long QT interval syndrome” (named after the wave pattern made by a electrocardiogram).
- Irregular heartbeat (heart arrhythmia): Some studies suggest that bitter orange, especially in combination with caffeine, can increase heart rate in healthy people. Other studies have found no such effect on heart rate. So far, there have been no studies of the effect of bitter orange on people who have an irregular heartbeat. Avoid using bitter orange, especially in combination with stimulants such as caffeine, if you have an irregular heartbeat.
- Surgery: Bitter orange acts like a stimulant, so it might interfere with surgery by increasing heart rate and blood pressure. Stop taking bitter orange at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
- Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with BITTER ORANGE
- Midazolam (Versed) interacts with BITTER ORANGE
- Caffeine (Excedrin, Anacin, Vivarin, and others) interacts with BITTER ORANGE
- Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, and others) interacts with BITTER ORANGE
- Felodipine (Plendil) interacts with BITTER ORANGE
- Indinavir (Crixivan) interacts with BITTER ORANGE
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with BITTER ORANGE
- Medications that can cause an irregular heartbeat (QT interval-prolonging drugs) interacts with BITTER ORANGE
- Stimulant drugs interacts with BITTER ORANGE
Benefits and uses of Bitter Orange are
- The oil, when applied to the skin, might be effective for treatment of fungal skin infections (ringworm, jock itch, and athlete’s foot).
- Weight loss. Researchers disagree on the effects of bitter orange on weight. Some research suggests that a combination of bitter orange, caffeine, and St. John’s wort might help for weight reduction when used with a low calorie diet and exercise. But another study found that a combination of bitter orange, caffeine, and several other ingredients did not help people lose weight.
- Nasal congestion.
- Allergies.
- Intestinal gas.
- Cancer.
- Stomach and intestinal upset.
- Intestinal ulcers.
- Regulating cholesterol.
- Diabetes.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
- Liver and gallbladder problems.
- Stimulating the heart and circulation.
- Eye swelling.
- Colds.
- Headaches.
- Nerve and muscle pain.
- Bruises.
- Stimulating appetite.
- Mild sleep problems (insomnia).
