What is Citrus Aurantium Bitter Orange?
Bitter Orange is a plant with the scientific name Citrus Aurantium. The plant goes by several other names like sour orange, Seville orange, marmalade orange, and much more. When we say bitter orange, we refer to the plant, its fruits, peel, flower, and fruit juice, all of which are used to make medicine.
The plant is a native of Southeast Asia but has been spread to several parts of the world by human resettlement. This plant is what is used to produce bitter oil. The oil is usually made from the peel and has been found to have several uses. This oil is usually applied to the skin or taken orally.
The Benefits Of Bitter Orange
Bitter orange is quite effective in the treatment of fungal infections and has been used widely to treat ringworms, jock itch, and athlete’s foot. Citrus Aurantium Bitter Orange is usually applied on the skin where its antifungal abilities help treat almost all forms of fungal infections with ease.
Further research has also indicated the effectiveness of bitter orange in the treatment of diabetes. Drinking tea that has been made from the leaves of Indian snakeroot and mixed with the bitter orange for four months has been shown to help manage diabetes. Individuals with diabetes have experienced a decreased level of blood sugars after drinking this tea for some time.
Certain products containing bitter orange and other ingredients like zhizhu have been shown to help with indigestion problems. Taking bitter orange in combination with other ingredients for four weeks can help reduce indigestion.
It is also used to treat anxiety in patients that are about to undergo surgery. Bitter orange taken two hours before surgery helps reduce anxiety in patients.
There is some research that has shown that bitter orange helps in weight loss. A combination of bitter orange and caffeine has been shown to help people lose weight significantly.
Other common benefits of bitter orange include:
- Healing Of Cancer
- Prevention Of Allergies
- Treats Eye Swelling
- Headaches
- Reduces Muscle And Nerve Pain
- Stimulates Appetite
- Reduces Intestinal Gas
- Solves Mild Sleep Problems
- Heals Liver And Gall Bladder Problems
- Regulates Cholesterol
Possible Side Effects
Bitter Orange has been found to be safe for both children and adults when taken in the amounts found in food. It is also safe when applied on the skin or inhaled in the case of aromatherapy.
However, when taken as a supplement for medical purposes, bitter orange must be regulated as it has been found to have some side effects. Some of the common side effects include:
- Sensitivity of the skin to the sun
- Can cause high blood pressure in combination with caffeine
- Unsafe for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers
- It can interfere with blood sugar control
- Irregular heartbeat
- When used with caffeine it can increase the risk of heart diseases.
Top Citrus Aurantium Bitter Orange Products
There are some bitter orange products in the market right now, with these being the top ones:
- Naturetition Supplements Bitter Orange extract
- Solaray Bitter orange
- NutriCargo Bitter Orange Powder
- EarhNatural Supplements Bitter Orange
- PureControl Supplement Bitter Orange extract
- Renevitol Bitter Orange Standardized Extract
- TerraVita Bitter Orange Powder
- GLS Bitter Orange Standardized Extract
Citrus Aurantium Bitter Orange Conclusion
Most of the bitter orange extracts are made of 100% natural products, with only gelatin and rice powder being added. They are a great pick if you want to experience the benefits above but as usual, always consult with your doctor before starting to use them.
