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How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?
CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW
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, Varicose Veins, and Hemorrhoids
Bitter orange peel contains high levels of diosmin and hesperidin, known to improve vessel tonic. It constricts blood vessels in the legs and reduces inflammation there - all of which are supportive for varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
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
Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics
(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.
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?
According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine,
people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and 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. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry.
Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed.
Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded.
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.
Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Bitter Orange Peel
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.
Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.
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.
STRONG HEPATOPROTECTIVE
An herb that is capable of preventing liver damage. Many hepatoprotectives work via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
In each clinical research trial below, students from the
Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda ate the selected food for 3 days and reported the pharmacological effects.
See other clinical research trials for diet & herbs at Joyful Belly.
TEMPERATURE/CIRCULATION
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your temperature?
1
1
10
5
3
Much colder
Slightly colder
Same
Slightly warmer
Much warmer
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your ear temperature?
5
13
2
Hotter
No Change
Cooler
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your sweat quantity?
0
1
13
6
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the color of your skin?
0
1
4
0
15
Yellower/Greener
Paler
Redder
Grayer
No Change
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the color of your tongue body?
0
9
0
11
Paler
Redder
Bluer
No Change
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the swelling of your tongue body?
3
7
10
More Swelling
Less Swelling
No Change
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your appetite/hunger?
1
5
5
5
4
Much less hungry
Slightly less hungry
Same
Slightly hungrier
Much hungrier
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your digestion speed?
1
14
5
0
0
Much faster
Slightly faster
Same
Slightly slower
Much slower
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
TOXINS
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the amount of gas & bloating?
4
7
7
2
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your stool smell?
1
2
11
6
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
Tongue: How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
1
8
8
3
0
Much smaller
Slightly less
Same
Slightly larger coating
Much larger
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the color of your tongue coating?
1
0
3
1
15
Yellower
Browner
Grayer
Whiter
No Change
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your throat soreness?
2
15
3
More sore
No Change
Less sore
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your urine smell?
0
3
16
1
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
1
2
14
3
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Many more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your sweat smell?
1
1
14
3
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your acne?
1
17
2
More acne
No Change
Less acne
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your freckles/moles?
2
17
1
Darker
No Change
Lighter
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the color of your sclera (white part of eye)?
1
0
0
0
4
Redder/Bloodshot
Yellower
Grayer
Browner
Whiter
15
No Change
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the color of the lower eye lid?
0
1
19
0
More green/dark green
More purple
No Change
Less green/purple
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
HYDRATION
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your urine frequency/quantity?
0
2
11
6
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the dryness of your skin?
9
0
11
Drier
Oilier
No Change
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the puffiness of lower eye lid?
1
14
5
Puffier
No Change
Less Puffy
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the cracks on your tongue?
0
6
11
3
0
Larger/longer/more cracks
Slightly more
Same
Slightly less/smaller/shorter
Much less
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
FLUID-THICKNESS
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your ear pressure?
1
15
4
More pressure
No Change
Less pressure
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your congestion?
0
12
8
More congestion
No Change
Less congestion
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the thickness of your mucous congestion?
0
12
8
More thick
No Change
Less thick
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
NERVOUS-SYSTEM
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your energy levels?
0
1
8
10
1
Much less energy
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more energy
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your muscle tension?
0
7
9
3
1
Much less tension
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more tension
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your anxiety?
1
2
14
2
1
Much less anxiety
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more anxiety
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the stillness of your tongue?
3
13
4
More still
No Change
More Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
DIGESTION
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect burning sensations in digestive tract (do not include acid reflux)?
2
1
13
4
0
Much relief
Slight relief
Same
Slightly more burning
Much more burning
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your appetite/hunger?
1
5
5
5
4
Much less hungry
Slightly less hungry
Same
Slightly hungrier
Much hungrier
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your digestion speed?
1
14
5
0
0
Much faster
Slightly faster
Same
Slightly slower
Much slower
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the amount of gas & bloating?
4
7
7
2
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
TONGUE
Tongue: How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
1
8
8
3
0
Much smaller
Slightly less
Same
Slightly larger coating
Much larger
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the swelling of your tongue body?
3
7
10
More Swelling
Less Swelling
No Change
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the color of your tongue body?
0
9
0
11
Paler
Redder
Bluer
No Change
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the stillness of your tongue?
3
13
4
More still
No Change
More Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the color of your tongue coating?
1
0
3
1
15
Yellower
Browner
Grayer
Whiter
No Change
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the cracks on your tongue?
0
6
11
3
0
Larger/longer/more cracks
Slightly more
Same
Slightly less/smaller/shorter
Much less
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
STOOL
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your stool frequency/quantity?
0
1
8
10
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your stool color?
4
0
0
3
13
More yellow
More gray
More green
More orange
Same
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your stool lightness?
4
7
8
1
0
Much lighter
Slightly lighter
Same
Slightly darker
Much darker
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your stool smell?
1
2
11
6
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your stool consistency?
2
11
6
1
0
Much softer
Slightly softer
Same
Slightly harder
Much harder
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
URINE
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your urine frequency/quantity?
0
2
11
6
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
1
2
14
3
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Many more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your urine clarity?
2
13
5
More cloudy
Same
More clear
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your urine smell?
0
3
16
1
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your urine lightness?
0
5
13
2
0
Much lighter
Slightly lighter
Same
Slightly Darker
Much Darker
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
SWEAT
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your sweat smell?
1
1
14
3
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your sweat quantity?
0
1
13
6
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
SKIN
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the color of your skin?
0
1
4
0
15
Yellower/Greener
Paler
Redder
Grayer
No Change
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your freckles/moles?
2
17
1
Darker
No Change
Lighter
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your acne?
1
17
2
More acne
No Change
Less acne
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the dryness of your skin?
9
0
11
Drier
Oilier
No Change
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
EYE
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the color of your sclera (white part of eye)?
1
0
0
0
4
Redder/Bloodshot
Yellower
Grayer
Browner
Whiter
15
No Change
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the color of the lower eye lid?
0
1
19
0
More green/dark green
More purple
No Change
Less green/purple
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the puffiness of lower eye lid?
1
14
5
Puffier
No Change
Less Puffy
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
ENT
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your throat soreness?
2
15
3
More sore
No Change
Less sore
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect the thickness of your mucous congestion?
0
12
8
More thick
No Change
Less thick
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your ear temperature?
5
13
2
Hotter
No Change
Cooler
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your congestion?
0
12
8
More congestion
No Change
Less congestion
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your ear pressure?
1
15
4
More pressure
No Change
Less pressure
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
SYSTEMIC
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your temperature?
1
1
10
5
3
Much colder
Slightly colder
Same
Slightly warmer
Much warmer
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your energy levels?
0
1
8
10
1
Much less energy
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more energy
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your muscle tension?
0
7
9
3
1
Much less tension
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more tension
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your anxiety?
1
2
14
2
1
Much less anxiety
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more anxiety
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
HEART
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your heart rhythm?
4
15
1
More palpitations
Same
Less palpitations
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your heart pain/pressure/cramping?
0
4
14
2
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
How did Bitter Orange Peel affect your heart rate?
0
2
11
6
1
Much slower
Slightly slower
Same
Slightly faster
Much faster
Total Responses: 20 Study ID:58 (2021-05-04 - 2021-07-26)
Bitter Orange Peel may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual.
Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.
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