Botanical Overview
Citrus × aurantium, commonly known as bitter orange, Seville orange, or sour orange, belongs to the Rutaceae family. The medicinal part used is the pericarp, or dried orange peel. It is native to the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and North Africa and has a long history as a digestive and mild stimulant herb.
Energetics
This herb is considered warming and drying with bitter, pungent, and aromatic tastes. Its actions are ascending and outward in directionality, tonifying in nature, and primarily influence the qi system.
Primary Actions
- Digestive stimulant
- Carminative
- Mild stimulant
- Anorectic (appetite suppressant)
Indications
Western
- Indigestion
- Loss of appetite
- Flatulence
- Gastrointestinal spasms
- Mild anxiety
Syndromes
- Dyspepsia
- Anorexia nervosa (supportive)
- Mild gastrointestinal cramping
TCM
- Epigastric fullness
- Poor appetite
- Belching
- Nausea
Syndromes
- Spleen Qi Deficiency with Dampness
- Liver Qi Stagnation causing digestive upset
Ayurveda
- Indigestion
- Loss of appetite
- Bloating
Syndromes
- Agni Mandya (weak digestive fire)
- Kapha-related digestive sluggishness
Unani
- Indigestion
- Flatulence
- Anorexia
Syndromes
- Su-e-hazm (indigestion)
Constituents & Mechanisms
Main phytochemicals include synephrine, limonene, flavonoids, volatile oils such as linalool, myrcene, and alpha-pinene, and pectin. These contribute to its digestive stimulant, mild stimulant, and carminative properties.
Dosage & Preparations
- Dried pericarp infusion 1-3 g, 2-3 times daily
- Tincture 1:5 50% ethanol, 2-4 mL, 2-3 times daily
- Powder 1-2 g in capsules or powder form
Safety & Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with hypertension or cardiovascular disorders due to synephrine content. Avoid use during pregnancy and lactation due to insufficient safety data. May interact with adrenergic drugs and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Possible mild gastrointestinal irritation in sensitive individuals.
Astrological Correspondences
No widely confirmed planetary or elemental rulers for Citrus × aurantium pericarp were identified with sufficient scholarly consensus.
Selected References
- European Medicines Agency (EMA) – Herbal Monograph: Citrus aurantium L., pericarpium (2012)
- Plants For A Future (PFAF) Database: Citrus aurantium L.
- Li et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2009): Phytochemistry and pharmacology of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) and its main components
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. III (2008): Citrus aurantium – Indications and Uses