DESCRIPTION

Also known as

Citrus aurantium, Seville orange, sour orange

Introduction

It is an evergreen tree native to Africa, Arabia, and Syria with long spines and incredibly fragrant flowers. The membranes and pulp of the fruit are very sour and bitter.

Herbalists in Europe began using bitter orange for stomach complaints, nervous conditions, gout, sore throat, and as a sedative and 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.

Bitter Orange and Weight Loss

Bitter orange contains synephrine, a drug aimed at encouraging fat loss. It acts to constrict blood vessels, increase blood pressure and increase the heart rate. Contemporary Chinese practitioners inject it for the treatment of anaphalylactic shock and shock syndrome. While bitter orange has not undergone formal safety testing, it can cause the same spectrum of adverse events as ephedra. Case reports have linked bitter orange supplements to strokes, angina, and ischemic colitis.

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.

SUGGESTED USE

1/4 tsp in warm water 2-3x/day before meals or as directed by your practitioner.

How should I take my herbs? Follow these guidelines

This product contains loose rind for the freshest and most potent results. An organic cotton tea bag will be provided with your order to strain your herbs for enjoyable drinking. Your order will contain about 60 servings, 1/2 teaspoon each.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Bitter Orange Peel may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any product for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this product to treat a medical condition.

MEDICINAL QUALITIES

INCREASES Increases These Qualities (Gunas) Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main characteristics (gunas). Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick. Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic. Learn More	MOBILE ABOUT MOBILE GUNA Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity. LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE LIGHT ABOUT LIGHT GUNA Lightness is identified by reduced weight. LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT CLEAR ABOUT CLEAR GUNA Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama. LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR
TASTES The 6 Tastes Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below? Learn More	SOUR ABOUT SOUR GUNA Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic. LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUR PUNGENT ABOUT PUNGENT GUNA Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper. LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT BITTER ABOUT BITTER GUNA Bitter is disagreeable and stimulating rejection, and a strong taste often associated with black coffee, dark chocolate, and most salad greens. LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER
DOSHAS The Three Doshas / Body Types People tend to get sick, over and over again, due to similar causes and habitual imbalances that are unique to the person. Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness. Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency. Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses. The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history. The 3 functional body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha). Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. Catabolic people tend to be easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic people tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic people are heavy, stable and grounded, but if they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Learn More	PACIFIES AGGRAVATES
HAS THE FOLLOWING	EFFECT: Rajasic RAJASIC Rajasic foods stimulate desire or nervous energy. Red meat, high protein food, garlic and onions stimulate desire. Rajasic foods include chili peppers, coffee, and anything that stimulates movement. LEARN MORE ABOUT RAJASIC SUBTASTE: Aromatic AROMATIC Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues. LEARN MORE ABOUT AROMATIC

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Experiences are Personal

Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

Digestion:

Stimulates peristalsis

STIMULATES-PERISTALSIS

An herb that promotes involuntary smooth muscle contractions to facilitate the movement of food and waste through the digestive tract.

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Appetizer

APPETIZER

Herbs that cleanse the palate & stimulate hunger or desire to eat.

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Carminative

CARMINATIVE

Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward.

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Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestive.

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Stomachic

STOMACHIC

An herb that increases appetite or settles a nauseas or nervous stomach. These generally increase the digestive fire, therefore relieving symptoms of sluggish or difficult digestion.

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Energy Vitality Strength:

Stimulates energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs

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Heart & Circulation:

Cardiac stimulant

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.

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Lung and Sinus:

Irritates throat

IRRITATES-THROAT

Creates abrasive feeling in the back of the mouth. May stimulate coughing.

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Decongestant

DECONGESTANT

An herb that reduces mucus congestion in the sinus or lungs by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes.

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Mind, Stress & Sleep:

Wakes you up

WAKES-YOU-UP

Invigorates the body and improves energy by stimulating circulation.

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Weight Loss:

Raises Thyroid

RAISES-THYROID

An herb that increases thyroid function.

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