Bitter Oranges

Bitter Orange
Some 16 species of small, evergreen trees and shrubs comprise this genus, native to SE Asia and E Pacific islands. Most citruses have been cultivated for so long that their origins are obscure. The species are very closely related, with numerous hybrids and cultivars. Citruses were unknown in Europe in Classical times, through C. aurantium and C. bergamia were first mentioned in Chinese medicine in the first century CE. The first citrus to arrive in Europe was the bitter orange, C. aurantium, probably brought by the Portuguese from the East Indies. It was followed by C. limon, probably from China, somewhere between tthe 11th and 13th centuries. Medicinal uses of citruses are complex. Various parts of the tree are used, and also various parts of the fruit at different stages of ripeness. Commonly, the leaves, fruits, juice and bark are used, while in China several quite different drugs are prepared from the fruits alone - one of the most valuable being the peel of C. reticulata, which becomes more potent with age. The related Poncirus trifoliata (hardy orange, Japanese bitter orange) is used in identical ways to C. aurantium. Citruses are high in vitamin C, flavonoids, acids, and volatile oils. They also contain coumarins, such as bergapten, which sensitize the skin to sunlight. Bergapten is sometimes added to tanning preparations and may cause dermatitis or allergic responses. The most recent uses of citruses are anti-oxidants and chemical exfoliants in cosmetics.

The bitter orange tree is a small evergreen very similar to the sweet orange tree, although hardier. It has shiny leaves and bears fragrant white flowers.

Bitter orange is native to tropical Asia. Its peel is used to stimulate the appetite and ease indigestion. Bitter orange is also frequently found in modern weight-loss formulas because it contains synephrine and octopamine—chemicals similar to the ephedrine found in ma-huang. However, when taken in very large doses, bitter orange may be just as dangerous as ma-huang because these chemicals can cause high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and even death.

Rounded tree with slender, blunt-spined branches and ovate leaves, 7-10cm (3-4in) long. White fragrant flowers, 2cm (¾in) across, are borne during spring and summer, followed by orange fruits, 5-7cm (2-3in) across, with aromatic rind, and acidic pulp.

Common Name:	Bitter Orange
Other Names:	Bigarade Orange, Neroli, Seville orange
Botanical Name:	Citrus aurantium
Genus:	Citrus
Family:	Rutacea
Native Location:	Egypt, France, Morocco, Tunisia, SE Asia
Cultivation:	Well-drained, neutral to slightly acid soil in sun, with ample moisture during the growing season. Scale insects, mealybugs, and tortrix moth caterpillars may affect plants under cover. Citruses do not transplant well.
Propagation:	By seed sown when ripe or in spring at 16° C (61°F); by semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Cultivars do not come true from seed.
Harvest:	Flowers (C. aurantium, C. bergamia) are picked when first open and distilled for oil. Leaves (C. aurantiifolia, C. hystrix) are picked as required for flavoring and infusions. Oil is distilled from foliage, unripe fruits (C. aurantium) and ripe fruits (C. bergamia). Fruits are picked when unripe or ripe for culinary use, candying, or oil distillation, and either unripe or ripe (C. aurantium, C. reticulata) for use in Chinese medicine.
Height:	10m (30ft)
Width:	6m (20ft)
Variations:	Bouquet de Fleurs Has highly scented flowers that are distilled for oil of neroli. Bouquet de Nice Has double flowers and fruits embedded with a secondary fruit. Var. myrtifolia (Chinotta) Has symmetrical, compact growth, very tiny leaves, numerous flowers, and small fruits ideal for crystalizing, preserving, or pickling whole.
Hardiness:	Min. 7°C (45°F). Sometimes withstands short periods of 0°C (32°F)
History:	Almost everyone knows that citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C and provide delicious, thirst-quenching drinks. Many others are familiar with the fragrant citrus oils used in aromatherapy and bathwaters. Few people, however, realize that several of the citrus species have been used medicinally for centuries in Asian medicine, and are used increasingly in the West as well (where they were not introduced until the twelfth century). Bitter orange is one of the best examples of medicinally used citrus fruits.
Parts Used:	Leaves, stems, flowers, ripe fruits with seeds and peel removed (zhe ki), whole unripe fruits (zhi shi), peel, oil
Extraction:	Steam Distillation, Solvent Extracts
Color and Odor:	The essential oil is pale yellow in color with an exquisite sweet floral aroma.
Background:	The bitter orange tree is native to China and was introduced to Europe by the Portuguese in the twelfth century. The orange flower was named after the Italian Princess Anne-Marie, Countess of Neroli, who used it to perfume her bath water. It is now considered among the finest perfumery ingredients and is particularly important in Eau-de-Cologne toilet water. The Flowers are popularly used in bridal bouquets as they symbolize innocence and fertility.
Properties:	A bitter aromatic, expectorant, diuretic herb that lowers blood pressure and improves digestion. It reduces inflammation and controls bacterial and fungal infections. Sedative, antidepressant, soothing, carminative, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally for flatulent indigestion and diarrhea, stubborn coughs, colic in babies, and shock. Externally in aromatherapy for tension, depression, and skin problems. To treat loss of appetite, coughs, colds, apathy, uterine and anal prolapse, heartburn, bloating, and nausea. Germany's Commission E has approved the use of bitter orange peel to treat loss of appetite and dyspeptic complaints such as heartburn, bloating, and nausea. Bitter orange has antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, blood-pressure-lowering, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, and tonic properties. It is taken internally for bronchitis, colds, colic, coughs, diarrhea, flatulence, and indigestion. It is used externally for bacterial and fungal skin infections. Bitter orange oil is used in aromatherapy to relieve anxiety, depression, and stress.
Uses:	Digestive System—Soothes intestinal spasms and colic. Circulatory System—Slows down the heart rate, therefore useful for cardiac spasms and palpitations. Nervous System—Calms and slows the mind; useful for insomnia, hysteria, and all states of anxiety and depression. Skin—Beneficial for all skin types, especially if there is dryness, redness or irritation. Neroli stimulates the regeneration of new cells and the elimination of old ones, improving skin's elasticity. Generally helpful for all kinds of skin problems such as thread veins, scarring and stretch marks. Emotions—Calms highly charged emotional states and helps sufferers to deal with anxieties and fears, bestowing confidence. Rather hypnotic and euphoric for countering states of hysteria. Neroli is a valuable remedy for shock and the disorders caused by shock.
Blends:	DIGESTIVE Neroli 5 Orange 4 Peppermint 2 CIRCULATORY Neroli 5 Ylang-Ylang 4 Chamomile(R) 2 NERVOUS Neroli 5 Chamomile(R) 3 Petitgrain 2 SKIN Neroli 3 Frankincense 2 Chamomile(R) 2 EMOTION Neroli 4 Lemon 3 Basil 2
Typical Dose:	A typical dose of bitter orange peel is 1tsp cut and coarsely powdered drug added to 150ml of hot water, steeped for 10 minutes, then strained and taken as tea approximately 30 minutes before meals. There are no standard doses of bitter orange flower or flower oil.
Possible Side Effects:	No side effects are known when bitter orange is taken in designated therapeutic doses, although there may be an increase in photosensitivity in light-skinned individuals.
Drug Interactions:	Taing bitter orange with these drugs may increase drug levels in the body and risk of side effects: Dextromethorphan, (Found in various formulations of Alka-Seltzer, Contac, PediaCare, Robitussin, Sudafed, Triaminic, and other over the counter medicines.) Felodipine, (Plendil, Renedil) Iproniazid, (Marsilid) Midazolam, (Apo-Midazolam, Versed) Moclobemide, (Alti-Moclobemide, Nu-Moclobemide) Phenelzine, (Nardil) Selegiline, (Eldepryl) Tranylcypromine, (Parnate)
Disease Effects:	The synephrine and doctopamine in bitter orange may cause cluster or migraine headaches, or exacerbate elevated blood pressure, narrow-angle glaucoma, or an overly rapid heart rate.
Food Interactions:	Increased risk of hypertension and adverse cardiovascular effects when used in conjunction with large amounts of caffeine.
Supplement Interactions:	Increased risk of hypertension and adverse cardiovascular effects when used with herbs and supplements that have stimulant properties (for example caffeine, coffee, cola, ma-huang, and others).
Culinary Uses:	Fruits are used to make marmalade. Juice is used in drinks and sauces. Dried peel is used in bouquet garni and to flavor specialty beers. Essential oil flavors liqueurs, such as Cointreau, Grand Marnier, and Triple Sec. Flowers are used to scent tea. Orange-flower water is used in desserts.
Economic Uses:	Neroli oil (from flowers) and petitgrain (from foliage/twigs) used in perfumery.
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited Pp 171-172 Aromatherapy Blends and recipes by Franzesca Watson Copyright © 1995 Thorsons, Harper Parker Publishing Inc. Pp 136-137 The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp74-75 The Modern Herbal Primer by Nancy Burke Copyright©2000 Yankee Publishing, Inc. pp 137-138