Bitter Orange Profile
Also known as
Citrus aurantium, Seville orange, sour orange
Introduction
The bitter orange is native to Africa, Arabia, and Syria. It was brought to the Mediterranean and southern Europe in 1200 C.E. by traders. It is an evergreen tree with long spines and incredibly fragrant flowers. The membranes and pulp of the fruit, however, are very sour and bitter (hence the name). It is now widely cultivated in China, India, and the U.S. Herbalists in Europe began using bitter orange for stomach complaints, nervous conditions, gout, sore throat, and as a sedative. Currently, the British Pharmacopoeia lists it as a bitter tonic. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is used as an ingredient in several different formulas, most of them dealing with coughs, colds, indigestion, nausea, and even organ prolapse. Contemporary Chinese practitioners inject it for the treatment of anaphalylactic shock and shock syndrome. It is also used as a flavoring agent in many foods, and for its fragrance in bath and body care products.
Parts Used
The entire fruit, including the peel, fresh flowers, and the leaves and twigs, are all used for various commercial products.
Typical Preparations
Bitter orange peel, and the oil derived from it, is used in many different things. As a flavoring agent it can be used in a wide variety of foods, and is used in liqueurs (most notably Triple Sec), deserts, candy, gelatins and puddings. It is used to cover up the taste of pharmaceuticals, as well as being a key ingredient in marmalade. The peel is used in teas, especially those made for digestive complaints.
Summary
Bitter orange peel has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. The German E Commission has approved its use for loss of appetite, dyspeptic ailments and stomach complaints. There is some speculation and testimony that bitter orange peel can be used for weight loss and as a nasal decongestant, but according to the German Commission there still need to be clinical trials done before this can be emphatically established. Neroli and Petitgrain essential oils are both derived from the bitter orange tree, specifically from the fresh flowers (Neroli), and the leaves and twigs (Petitgrain).
Precautions
Photosensitization is possible in some individuals, but this has mainly been found in the whole raw fruit. It is not recommended during pregnancy, and it should not be used by children.
