Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesSide EffectsHow to TakeTree Growth and Fruiting
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Side Effects
How to Take
Tree Growth and Fruiting
Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) is a sour fruit native to Asia. Also called Seville orange, sour orange, orzhi shi, this fruit is usually not eaten whole due to its bitter taste.
Instead, different parts of the bitter orange (like the peel, zest, oil, and leaves) are utilized for various cooking, fragrance, and health purposes.
Bitter orange contains p-synephrine, a chemical compound that can suppress appetite. Bitter orange extract is commonly used in someweight losssupplements but may not be right for everyone.
Uses of Different Forms of Bitter Orange
Peels
The peel of bitter orange is often used as a culinary ingredient. You might find the bitter orange peel or zest in:
The peel of a bitter orange containsflavonoids, antioxidants that offer multiple health benefits, from reducinginflammationto interfering with cancer development.Research also found that bitter orange has a highvitamin Ccontent, increasing the fruit’santioxidantvalue.
Oils
Bitter orange oils and extracts can be used topically and in aromatherapy.Applying bitter orange oil to your skin may help treatfungal infectionslikeathlete’s foot,ringworm, and jock itch. It might also help with pain, bruising, and bedsores, though additional evidence is needed.
The fruit can also be used to produceessential oilsthat offer a citrus scent for soaps, fragrances, and other scented products.
Leaves
Bitter orange leaves are a component oftraditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and medical traditions in other parts of the world.
Some research outlines its potential benefits for treating:
In Latin America, bitter orange leaves are traditionally used as a tonic,laxative, and sedative to treat conditions like insomnia, anxiety, andepilepsy.
Studies have also suggested that it supports physical training, potentially increasing the total repetitions and volume load during a workout.However, more human clinical trials are needed.
A Word From VerywellBitter oranges may suppress appetite, but there is still a lack of research to show that consistently adding it to your diet will help with weight loss. Instead of focusing on one food, focus on a combination of healthy habits to aid your weight loss journey.—KARINA TOLENTINO, RD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Bitter oranges may suppress appetite, but there is still a lack of research to show that consistently adding it to your diet will help with weight loss. Instead of focusing on one food, focus on a combination of healthy habits to aid your weight loss journey.—KARINA TOLENTINO, RD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Bitter oranges may suppress appetite, but there is still a lack of research to show that consistently adding it to your diet will help with weight loss. Instead of focusing on one food, focus on a combination of healthy habits to aid your weight loss journey.
—KARINA TOLENTINO, RD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Side Effects and Interactions
While there is limited research on the health benefits of bitter orange in humans, available evidence suggests that there may be some potential side effects to be aware of regarding its naturally occurring p-synephrine compound.
Some studies show adverse side effects involving heart health with long-term bitter orange supplement use (eight weeks), including:
However, it’s unclear whether bitter orange or p-synephrine is the cause because some of the studied products have contained multiple ingredients. In addition, other studies did not find that bitter orange caused any effects on the cardiovascular system.
Ephedrine Ban ExplainedBitter orange contains p-synephrine, a chemical structurally similar to ephedrine, a main compound in theweight loss herb ephedra. Due to stimulant effects, in 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned ephedrine compounds from dietary supplements marketed for enhancing weight loss, energy, and athletic performance, citing safety concerns.After ephedra was removed from the market, bitter orange products became more popular as an alternative to dietary supplements.
Ephedrine Ban Explained
Bitter orange contains p-synephrine, a chemical structurally similar to ephedrine, a main compound in theweight loss herb ephedra. Due to stimulant effects, in 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned ephedrine compounds from dietary supplements marketed for enhancing weight loss, energy, and athletic performance, citing safety concerns.After ephedra was removed from the market, bitter orange products became more popular as an alternative to dietary supplements.
Bitter orange contains p-synephrine, a chemical structurally similar to ephedrine, a main compound in theweight loss herb ephedra. Due to stimulant effects, in 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned ephedrine compounds from dietary supplements marketed for enhancing weight loss, energy, and athletic performance, citing safety concerns.
After ephedra was removed from the market, bitter orange products became more popular as an alternative to dietary supplements.
How to Take Supplements
Bitter orange is generally safe when taken orally in amounts commonly found in foods. It’s also likely safe when applied topically or used in aromatherapy.
Studies onsupplement usesuggest that bitter orange extract appears safe to consume at 50 to 90 milligrams (mg) daily.One study found a 40 mg dose was safe with 320 mg ofcaffeine(roughly three cups of coffee).
It is important to follow the manufacturer’s suggested directions for taking a supplement and not exceed the recommended dose.To avoid potential interactions, always check with a healthcare provider before adding a new supplement to your routine, especially if you take other medications or supplements.
Bitter orange is a fruit tree native to eastern Africa and southeast Asia.It’s also grown in the Mediterranean region and has been cultivated in Florida, California, and other parts of the Western United States.
Bitter oranges grow in late winter and early spring, and the tree’s fruits form from summer until mid-fall. They require full sun, moist (but not drenched) soil, and regular watering. Bitter orange trees can grow to be 10 to 30 feet tall.
For some growers, the bitter orange tree is a popular landscaping plant due to its fragrant blooms and fruits, which can be picked and used to make marmalade and other foods.
Summary
Bitter orange is a sour fruit that can be consumed or applied topically for culinary, aromatherapy, and medicinal purposes. Because a chemical compound found in bitter orange can suppress appetite, it’s often utilized in supplement form for weight management and athletic performance purposes, though additional evidence is needed to confirm these potential benefits.
While bitter orange is likely safe in moderate doses, discuss it with a healthcare provider before adding it to your supplement routine, especially if you have an underlying health condition affecting your heart or are taking other medications.
19 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Bitter orange.Farag MA, Abib B, Ayad L, Khattab AR.Sweet and bitter oranges: An updated comparative review of their bioactives, nutrition, food quality, therapeutic merits and biowaste valorization practices.Food Chem.2020;331:127306. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127306Stohs SJ, Badmaev V.A review of natural stimulant and non-stimulant thermogenic agents.Phytother Res.2016;30(5):732-40. doi:10.1002/ptr.5583Watanabe M, Risi R, Masi D, et al.Current evidence to propose different food supplements for weight loss: A comprehensive review.Nutrients. 2020;12(9):2873. doi:10.3390/nu12092873Jabri Karoui I, Marzouk B.Characterization of bioactive compounds in Tunisian bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) peel and juice and determination of their antioxidant activities.Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:345415. doi:10.1155/2013/345415Panche AN, Diwan AD, Chandra SR.Flavonoids: an overview.J Nutr Sci. 2016;5:e47. doi:10.1017/jns.2016.41Wang F, Chen L, Chen H, Chen S, Liu Y.Analysis of flavonoid metabolites in citrus peels (citrus reticulata"cahongpao") using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS.Molecules.2019;24(15):2680. doi:10.3390/molecules24152680Suntar I, Khan H, Patel S, Celano R, Rastrelli L.An overview on citrus aurantiumL.: Its functions as food ingredient and therapeutic agent.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018;2018:7864269. doi:10.1155/2018/7864269Stohs SJ.Safety, efficacy, and mechanistic studies regarding citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extract and p-synephrine.Phytother Res. 2017;31(10):1463-1474. doi:10.1002/ptr.5879Ratamess NA, Bush JA, Kang J et al.The effects of supplementation with P-Synephrine alone and in combination with caffeine on resistance exercise performance.J Int Soc Sports Nutr.2015;12:35. doi:10.1186/s12970-015-0096-5Astell KJ, Mathai ML, Su XQ.A review on botanical species and chemical compounds with appetite suppressing properties for body weight control.Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2013;68(3):213-221. doi:10.1007/s11130-013-0361-1National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary supplements for weight loss.Koncz D, Tóth B, Bahar MA, Roza O, Csupor D.The safety and efficacy of citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extracts and p-synephrine: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutrients. 2022;14(19):4019. doi:10.3390/nu14194019Costache II, Miron A, Hăncianu M et al.Pharmacokinetic interactions between cardiovascular medicines and plant products.Cardiovasc Ther. 2019;2019:9402781. doi:10.1155/2019/9402781Kaats GR, Miller H, Preuss HG, Stohs SJ.A 60day double-blind, placebo-controlled safety study involving Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extract.Food Chem Toxicol. 2013;55:358-62. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2013.01.013National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Botanical dietary supplements information.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Frequently asked questions (FAQ).National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Herbs at a glance: Bitter orange.University of Arizona.Citrus x aurantium.
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Bitter orange.Farag MA, Abib B, Ayad L, Khattab AR.Sweet and bitter oranges: An updated comparative review of their bioactives, nutrition, food quality, therapeutic merits and biowaste valorization practices.Food Chem.2020;331:127306. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127306Stohs SJ, Badmaev V.A review of natural stimulant and non-stimulant thermogenic agents.Phytother Res.2016;30(5):732-40. doi:10.1002/ptr.5583Watanabe M, Risi R, Masi D, et al.Current evidence to propose different food supplements for weight loss: A comprehensive review.Nutrients. 2020;12(9):2873. doi:10.3390/nu12092873Jabri Karoui I, Marzouk B.Characterization of bioactive compounds in Tunisian bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) peel and juice and determination of their antioxidant activities.Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:345415. doi:10.1155/2013/345415Panche AN, Diwan AD, Chandra SR.Flavonoids: an overview.J Nutr Sci. 2016;5:e47. doi:10.1017/jns.2016.41Wang F, Chen L, Chen H, Chen S, Liu Y.Analysis of flavonoid metabolites in citrus peels (citrus reticulata"cahongpao") using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS.Molecules.2019;24(15):2680. doi:10.3390/molecules24152680Suntar I, Khan H, Patel S, Celano R, Rastrelli L.An overview on citrus aurantiumL.: Its functions as food ingredient and therapeutic agent.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018;2018:7864269. doi:10.1155/2018/7864269Stohs SJ.Safety, efficacy, and mechanistic studies regarding citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extract and p-synephrine.Phytother Res. 2017;31(10):1463-1474. doi:10.1002/ptr.5879Ratamess NA, Bush JA, Kang J et al.The effects of supplementation with P-Synephrine alone and in combination with caffeine on resistance exercise performance.J Int Soc Sports Nutr.2015;12:35. doi:10.1186/s12970-015-0096-5Astell KJ, Mathai ML, Su XQ.A review on botanical species and chemical compounds with appetite suppressing properties for body weight control.Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2013;68(3):213-221. doi:10.1007/s11130-013-0361-1National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary supplements for weight loss.Koncz D, Tóth B, Bahar MA, Roza O, Csupor D.The safety and efficacy of citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extracts and p-synephrine: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutrients. 2022;14(19):4019. doi:10.3390/nu14194019Costache II, Miron A, Hăncianu M et al.Pharmacokinetic interactions between cardiovascular medicines and plant products.Cardiovasc Ther. 2019;2019:9402781. doi:10.1155/2019/9402781Kaats GR, Miller H, Preuss HG, Stohs SJ.A 60day double-blind, placebo-controlled safety study involving Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extract.Food Chem Toxicol. 2013;55:358-62. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2013.01.013National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Botanical dietary supplements information.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Frequently asked questions (FAQ).National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Herbs at a glance: Bitter orange.University of Arizona.Citrus x aurantium.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Bitter orange.Farag MA, Abib B, Ayad L, Khattab AR.Sweet and bitter oranges: An updated comparative review of their bioactives, nutrition, food quality, therapeutic merits and biowaste valorization practices.Food Chem.2020;331:127306. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127306Stohs SJ, Badmaev V.A review of natural stimulant and non-stimulant thermogenic agents.Phytother Res.2016;30(5):732-40. doi:10.1002/ptr.5583Watanabe M, Risi R, Masi D, et al.Current evidence to propose different food supplements for weight loss: A comprehensive review.Nutrients. 2020;12(9):2873. doi:10.3390/nu12092873Jabri Karoui I, Marzouk B.Characterization of bioactive compounds in Tunisian bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) peel and juice and determination of their antioxidant activities.Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:345415. doi:10.1155/2013/345415Panche AN, Diwan AD, Chandra SR.Flavonoids: an overview.J Nutr Sci. 2016;5:e47. doi:10.1017/jns.2016.41Wang F, Chen L, Chen H, Chen S, Liu Y.Analysis of flavonoid metabolites in citrus peels (citrus reticulata"cahongpao") using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS.Molecules.2019;24(15):2680. doi:10.3390/molecules24152680Suntar I, Khan H, Patel S, Celano R, Rastrelli L.An overview on citrus aurantiumL.: Its functions as food ingredient and therapeutic agent.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018;2018:7864269. doi:10.1155/2018/7864269Stohs SJ.Safety, efficacy, and mechanistic studies regarding citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extract and p-synephrine.Phytother Res. 2017;31(10):1463-1474. doi:10.1002/ptr.5879Ratamess NA, Bush JA, Kang J et al.The effects of supplementation with P-Synephrine alone and in combination with caffeine on resistance exercise performance.J Int Soc Sports Nutr.2015;12:35. doi:10.1186/s12970-015-0096-5Astell KJ, Mathai ML, Su XQ.A review on botanical species and chemical compounds with appetite suppressing properties for body weight control.Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2013;68(3):213-221. doi:10.1007/s11130-013-0361-1National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary supplements for weight loss.Koncz D, Tóth B, Bahar MA, Roza O, Csupor D.The safety and efficacy of citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extracts and p-synephrine: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutrients. 2022;14(19):4019. doi:10.3390/nu14194019Costache II, Miron A, Hăncianu M et al.Pharmacokinetic interactions between cardiovascular medicines and plant products.Cardiovasc Ther. 2019;2019:9402781. doi:10.1155/2019/9402781Kaats GR, Miller H, Preuss HG, Stohs SJ.A 60day double-blind, placebo-controlled safety study involving Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extract.Food Chem Toxicol. 2013;55:358-62. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2013.01.013National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Botanical dietary supplements information.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Frequently asked questions (FAQ).National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Herbs at a glance: Bitter orange.University of Arizona.Citrus x aurantium.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Bitter orange.
Farag MA, Abib B, Ayad L, Khattab AR.Sweet and bitter oranges: An updated comparative review of their bioactives, nutrition, food quality, therapeutic merits and biowaste valorization practices.Food Chem.2020;331:127306. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127306
Stohs SJ, Badmaev V.A review of natural stimulant and non-stimulant thermogenic agents.Phytother Res.2016;30(5):732-40. doi:10.1002/ptr.5583
Watanabe M, Risi R, Masi D, et al.Current evidence to propose different food supplements for weight loss: A comprehensive review.Nutrients. 2020;12(9):2873. doi:10.3390/nu12092873
Jabri Karoui I, Marzouk B.Characterization of bioactive compounds in Tunisian bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) peel and juice and determination of their antioxidant activities.Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:345415. doi:10.1155/2013/345415
Panche AN, Diwan AD, Chandra SR.Flavonoids: an overview.J Nutr Sci. 2016;5:e47. doi:10.1017/jns.2016.41
Wang F, Chen L, Chen H, Chen S, Liu Y.Analysis of flavonoid metabolites in citrus peels (citrus reticulata"cahongpao") using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS.Molecules.2019;24(15):2680. doi:10.3390/molecules24152680
Suntar I, Khan H, Patel S, Celano R, Rastrelli L.An overview on citrus aurantiumL.: Its functions as food ingredient and therapeutic agent.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018;2018:7864269. doi:10.1155/2018/7864269
Stohs SJ.Safety, efficacy, and mechanistic studies regarding citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extract and p-synephrine.Phytother Res. 2017;31(10):1463-1474. doi:10.1002/ptr.5879
Ratamess NA, Bush JA, Kang J et al.The effects of supplementation with P-Synephrine alone and in combination with caffeine on resistance exercise performance.J Int Soc Sports Nutr.2015;12:35. doi:10.1186/s12970-015-0096-5
Astell KJ, Mathai ML, Su XQ.A review on botanical species and chemical compounds with appetite suppressing properties for body weight control.Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2013;68(3):213-221. doi:10.1007/s11130-013-0361-1
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary supplements for weight loss.
Koncz D, Tóth B, Bahar MA, Roza O, Csupor D.The safety and efficacy of citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extracts and p-synephrine: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutrients. 2022;14(19):4019. doi:10.3390/nu14194019
Costache II, Miron A, Hăncianu M et al.Pharmacokinetic interactions between cardiovascular medicines and plant products.Cardiovasc Ther. 2019;2019:9402781. doi:10.1155/2019/9402781
Kaats GR, Miller H, Preuss HG, Stohs SJ.A 60day double-blind, placebo-controlled safety study involving Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extract.Food Chem Toxicol. 2013;55:358-62. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2013.01.013
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Botanical dietary supplements information.
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Frequently asked questions (FAQ).
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Herbs at a glance: Bitter orange.
University of Arizona.Citrus x aurantium.
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