Treatment with 1. Specific tests indicated that the preparation, in both doses used, did not promote deficits in general activity or motor coordination.

HF and DF fractions 1. The results obtained with EOP in the anxiety model, and with EOP, HF and DF in the sedation model, are in accord with the ethnopharmacological use of Citrus aurantium L. Already have an account?

Sign in here. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. Online ISSN : Print ISSN : ISSN-L : Journal home Advance online publication All issues Featured articles About the journal. Anxiolytic and Sedative Effects of Extracts and Essential Oil from Citrus aurantium L.

Maria Isabel Roth Carvalho-Freitas , Mirtes Costa Author information. Maria Isabel Roth Carvalho-Freitas Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Bioscience, São Paulo State University UNESP Mirtes Costa Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Bioscience, São Paulo State University UNESP.

The effects were greater when just a single oil was used, rather than a mixture of multiple essential oils. Results were also greater in those with insomnia compared to those with a general sleep complaint.

The bitter orange essential oil used in this study, made from the flowers, is also called neroli oil. Benefits of inhalation aromatherapy for sleep are that it is easily self-administered, does not take much time, and is relatively inexpensive. Challenges can be incorporating this treatment into the daily lifestyle; the 10 am dose may be particularly difficult to incorporate for people who are working.

Reviews have found evidence for use of bergamot, cedar, lemon, rose, sweet orange, valerian, and other essential oils. Sleep disorders among women increase with advancing age. In this study the primary outcome measure was the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, or PSQI.

The PSQI is a well-validated questionnaire in many populations. The cut-off for sleep disturbance is 5 or more. Although the PSQI is a well-validated subjective measure of sleep, it does not diagnose specific sleep disorders. There are over 60 sleep disorders. One concern of simply relying on subjective sleep improvement is that an underlying sleep disorder may go undiagnosed and untreated.

Although this treatment with bitter orange aromatherapy did bring the PSQI down significantly after the 4 weeks of treatment, the score was still above the cut-off for disrupted sleep, at 5. This indicates the participants still have clinically significant sleep disruption.

Therefore, in a clinical setting, it would be appropriate to do further screening and assessment for all 60 sleep disorders, followed by treatment. Given the high number of people with subjective sleep complaints and the ease of inhalation aromatherapy, this is a welcome addition to the clinical tool kit.

The bitter orange aromatherapy could be used for subjective relief while other sleep disorders are being ruled out. Catherine Darley, ND , is the director of The Institute of Naturopathic Sleep Medicine in Seattle. Her clinical work focuses on the treatment of sleep disorders in adults and children using behavioral and naturopathic medicine.

Additionally she regularly trains corporate employees and first responders on a variety of sleep, performance, and safety issues. Darley is adjunct faculty at Bastyr University and National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon, and has served on the Board of the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

You can learn more about her work at www. In her personal time she likes to be outside in nature with her loved ones. July 6, Bitter Orange: Another Tool to Improve Sleep. Findings from a randomized, controlled study.

Catherine Darley. Postmenopausal women with sleep disturbances found better slumber through aromatherapy with Citrus aurantium oil 5 minutes, twice daily, 4 days a week.

Reference Abbaspoor Z, Siahposh A, Javadifar N, Faal Siahkal S, Mohaghegh Z, Sharifipour F. There are 23 cultivars of the fruit, the most prominent of which is Bergamot. You can expect some varieties to be more bitter than others. Bitter orange contains several potent plant compounds that are sometimes extracted from the dried peel to make dietary supplements.

The patented extract of bitter orange, p-synephrine, is sold in capsule form as the herbal weight loss supplements Advantra Z and Kinetiq 4. Bitter orange is a citrus fruit with dimpled skin and potent plant compounds that are extracted and used in a variety of supplements.

The plant compounds in bitter orange, which are called protoalkaloids, have been used for over 20 years in supplements for weight loss, athletic performance, skin care, appetite control, and brain health, as well as perfumery 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8.

P-synephrine, the main extract from bitter orange, has a similar structure to ephedrine, the main component of the herbal weight loss supplement ephedra 8. This supplement was banned by the U.

Food and Drug Administration FDA because it raised blood pressure, increased heart rate, and caused heart attacks and stroke among some consumers 1 , 3 , 7. In addition, p-synephrine is structurally similar to your flight-or-fight hormones, epinephrine and norepinephrine, which also increase your heart rate 1 , 4.

P-synephrine is also found in other citrus fruits and their juices, such as mandarins and clementines 4 , 7. Like other citrus fruits, bitter orange provides limonene — a compound shown to have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties 10 , 11 , Population studies suggest that limonene may prevent certain cancers, namely colon cancer.

However, more rigorous human research is needed An ongoing study is also exploring the use of limonene as a treatment for COVID However, the results are not yet known. Bear in mind that limonene cannot prevent or cure COVID Another protoalkaloid found in bitter orange is p-octopamine.

However, little to no p-octopamine exists in bitter orange extracts. The leaves of the bitter orange plant are rich in vitamin C , which acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that may protect your body from disease by preventing cell damage.

They work by deactivating free radicals, which are unstable compounds that damage your cells, increasing inflammation and your disease risk 15 , Protoalkaloids are plant compounds found in bitter orange that have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.

They have been shown to be safe for consumption. Many weight loss supplements use bitter orange extracts in combination with other ingredients.

However, scientific studies have not thoroughly examined the composition of these supplements to determine which ingredient, if any, supports weight loss. Notably, p-synephrine has been shown to increase fat breakdown, raise energy expenditure, and mildly suppress appetite , all of which may contribute to reduced weight.

Yet, these effects occur at high doses that are discouraged due to the lack of safety information 4 , 8 , Bitter orange and its extracts are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM to treat indigestion, diarrhea, dysentery, and constipation.

In other regions, the fruit is used to treat anxiety and epilepsy 3. Another study noted that the bitter orange compound p-synephrine may improve athletic performance though by increasing total reps and volume load, or your ability to train harder

Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. Cited Jul Available from URL: www. gov, Hou YC, Hsiu SL, Tsao CW, et al. Acute intoxication of cyclosporine caused by coadministration of decoctions of the fruits of Citrus aurantium and the pericarps of Citrus grandis.

Planta Med ; Guo LQ, Taniguchi M, Chen QY, et al. Inhibitory potential of herbal medicines on human cytochrome Pmediated oxidation: Properties of umbelliferous or citrus crude drugs and their relative prescriptions.

Jpn J Pharmacol ; McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica , rev ed.

Learn more about TraceGains, the company. The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies human, animal, or in vitro , clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article.

The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Information expires December PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities because they do not comply with, nor are they condoned by, the ethics policies of our organization.

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Learn how we develop our content. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Home Health Information Library Bitter Orange.

Bitter Orange. Uses Botanical names: Citrus X Aurantium. What Are Star Ratings? This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions: Used for Why 2 Stars. Bitter orange has traditionally been used as a digestive aid.

Bitter orange has a history of use as a calming agent and to counteract insomnia. An amount providing not more than 70 mg of synephrine alone, or not more than 40 mg of synephrine in combination with up to mg of caffeine. Bitter orange contains synephrine, which might promote weight loss. Traditional Use May Not Be Supported by Scientific Studies Bitter orange is used similarly in a wide variety of traditions.

How It Works Botanical names: Citrus X Aurantium. How It Works Bitter orange has a complex chemical makeup, though it is perhaps most known for the volatile oil in the peel.

How to Use It Usually 1 to 2 grams of dried peel is simmered for 10 to 15 minutes in a cup of water; three cups are drunk daily. Interactions Botanical names: Citrus X Aurantium.

Interactions with Medicines As of the last update, we found no reported interactions between this supplement and medicines. It is possible that unknown interactions exist. If you take medication, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.

The Drug-Nutrient Interactions table may not include every possible interaction. Taking medicines with meals, on an empty stomach, or with alcohol may influence their effects. If you take medications, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects Botanical names: Citrus X Aurantium. Side Effects Bitter orange oil may possibly cause light sensitivity photosensitivity , especially in fair-skinned individuals. Related Information. Bitter Orange for Weight Control.

References 1. Next Section: How It Works ». Previous Section: « Uses. Next Section: Interactions ». Previous Section: « How It Works.

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All rights reserved. Topic Contents Uses How It Works Interactions Side Effects Related Information References. Bitter orange is likely safe in doses ranging from The juice of the bitter orange can be used as a marinade to flavor fish and meat. Bitter orange has several other household uses outside of the kitchen.

These include 2 :. Bitter orange is a citrus fruit with several household and industrial uses, ranging from food additives to perfumery. You may want to avoid this fruit and its extracts if you have high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, or glaucoma. Likewise, bitter orange supplements are banned for NCAA athletes.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Some argue that orange peels contain important nutrients and should be eaten rather than thrown away.

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New research suggests that running may not aid much with weight loss, but it can help you keep from gaining weight as you age. Here's why. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.

Nutrition Evidence Based What Is Bitter Orange, and Does It Aid Weight Loss? Medically reviewed by Adrienne Seitz, MS, RD, LDN , Nutrition — By Amber Charles Alexis, MSPH, RDN on March 17, The fruit and its extracts.

Compounds and nutrients. Does bitter orange aid weight loss? Health benefits of bitter orange. Downsides and side effects of bitter orange. Dosage and safety information.

Culinary uses of bitter orange. The bottom line. How we reviewed this article: History. Mar 17, Written By Amber Charles Alexis, MSPH, RDN. Medically Reviewed By Adrienne Seitz, MS, RD, LDN. Share this article. Read this next. Can You Eat Orange Peels, and Should You?

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