Also known as sour orange, Seville orange and bigarade orange, the bitter orange tree is a member of the citrus family. Known for its use in perfume, essential oils and flavoring, bitter orange has also had a long history of use in Asian medicine and holistics. Despite its use as an herbal remedy, there is not enough scientific evidence to support or dispute its effectiveness.
History
Native to East Asia, and used in Chinese medicine as a botanical species, bitter orange was first cultivated in Europe around the 15th century. According to Oregon State University, all of the European varieties of bitter orange propagated from a single tree. The first documentation of bitter orange trees growing in the U.S. was in 1871, when the tree was identified growing on plantations in Florida. Bitter orange trees also grew abundantly in Louisiana and California during this time.
Identification
The bitter orange tree reaches heights between 10 and 30 feet at maturity. The bark of the tree is brown and smooth, accented by green twigs and 1- to 3-inch thorns. Not to be outdone are the highly fragrant white flowers with yellow stamens that the tree produces when in bloom. The bitter orange tree produces fruit that is round or oblong in shape with a bright, orange-reddish, bitter tasting outer peel.
Benefits
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the leaves, peel and sometimes the flowers of the bitter orange help to relieve heartburn. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports that bitter orange also helps to relieve nasal congestion and fungal infections. Holistic uses for bitter orange also include appetite reduction and the promotion of weight loss. Users use bitter orange orally and topically.
Misconceptions
The National Cancer Institute reports that natural does not always mean safe. Natural remedies can interfere with prescribed medications and disease treatments. Such is the case with bitter orange. In fact, bitter orange extracts contain synephrine and octopamine, which tend to have stimulating effects that resemble that of ephedra, or ma-huang. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned ephedra in 2004 because of its link to heart attack and stroke. The safety of bitter orange has yet to be determined.
Warnings
According to the Mayo Clinic, bitter orange has the potential to cause serious health problems. Stimulant-like effects can actually speed-up the heart rate and raise blood pressure. Migraines and fainting are also common side effects for users of bitter orange. Bitter orange also may cause heart attack and stroke. Pregnant woman should not take bitter orange, because of unknown side effects to the fetus. Bitter orange may also cause sunburn when applied to the skin.
Member Comments