Citrus aurantium is also known as bitter orange, green orange or sour orange. In traditional Chinese Medicine it is known as zhi shi and in Aromatherapy the essential oil is called neroli. The fruit of Citrus aurantium contains the active compounds used in herbal medicine.
Medicinal Properties of Bitter orange
Citrus aurantium contains an alkaloid called synephrine, which is chemically very similar to caffeine and the ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine found in many OTC cold/allergy medications. In the US, the herb ephedra (Ma Huang) is available which also contains ephedrine.
Synephrine is a stimulant, it is thought to have similar effects to caffeine and ephedrine in terms of providing an energy boost, suppressing appetite and increasing metabolic rate and caloric expenditure. Citrus aurantium also contains tyramine and octopamine. Octopamine is thought to be involved in appetite control.
In traditional Chinese medicine it is used to help stimulate the Qi (energy force).
In Aromatherapy, neroli is said to be calming and aphrodisiac.
Bitter orange Herbal Remedies
Citrus aurantium is often used by:
| Athletes to help increase energy levels.
| Slimmers to encourage thermogenesis and help stimulate metabolic rate in order assist fat burning and eventual weight loss.
Other Bitter orange Information
| Synephrine is the main active compound found in Citrus aurantium fruit, so a standardised extract is recommended. A dose of 4-20 mg of synephrine per day is a typical dose found in products providing 200-600 mg of a standardised citrus aurantium extract (3-6% synephrine).
| Although synephrine and several other compounds found in Citrus aurantium are structurally similar to ephedrine and are known to act as stimulants (via adrenergic activity), it does not appear to have the same negative central nervous effects of ephedra (ma huang). Through its stimulation of specific adrenergic receptors (beta-3, but not beta-1, beta-2 or alpha-1), Citrus aurantium is theorised to stimulate fat metabolism without the negative cardiovascular side effects experienced by some people with Ma Huang (which stimulates all beta-adrenergic receptors).
| Citrus aurantium is normally found in tablet or capsule form along with other ingredients targeted at weight management such as thermogenic products.
| In Aromatherapy, neroli is used for Depression, PMS and Post-natal Depression. Topically, it is used on mature skin and can help with scars, thread veins and stretch marks.
Side Effects of Bitter orange
| It is best not to take Citrus aurantium too late in the day, as you may not sleep when you go to bed.
| Do not take continually, as you will over-stimulate the body and cause adrenal gland exhaustion, which is linked to many health problems including Anxiety and fatigue. A general guide is to take no more than 4 days in a week and have one week break after every 4 weeks of use.
| Thermogenics, including Citrus aurantium are not a substitute for healthy eating and should be used occasionally in conjunction with a well-balanced diet and sensible exercise program.
| When first taking Citrus aurantium you may feel slightly jittery or light headed, this is a normal reaction which you become accustomed to.
| All thermogenics, including Citrus aurantium make you feel hotter, so menopausal women who already experience hot flushes should use it with caution.
| Citrus aurantium should not be used during pregnancy or when breast feeding.
| Citrus aurantium is a stimulant and should be avoided by people with heart disease, diabetes, thyroid problems or High blood pressure. It may also test positive on a sports drug test because of it contains alkaloids similar to ephedrine, so is best avoided by professional sports people and athletes.
| In addition these herbs are best avoided if you are already taking drugs that contains caffeine, ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, or if on amphetamine-like medications.
| It is wise to consult your doctor if you are on medications such as adrenalin, phenelzine, phenylpropanolamine, selegiline, sibutramine and oral corticosteroids, before using this herb.
| When this article was written there were no other well-known side effects, contra-indications or drug interactions with Citrus aurantium.
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