Citrus aurantium
Botanical Nomenclature | Citrus aurantium |
Common Name | Bitter Orange |
Taxonomy- Family | Rutaceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Citrus aurantium is a small, evergreen tree growing up to 6m, with oval, leathery, green leaves, white, small flowers and spherical, smooth fruits with depressed poles. The flowering lasts from April to June and the harvesting takes place after January, when the development of plant leaves happens. |
Region Found | Epirus |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Leaves |
Active Substances | Essential oil (which contains 90% (+) - limonene, 5% neral, geranial), coumarins (bitter agents as naringin, aourantiamarin), organic acids, vitamin C, flavonoids (0.1%), terpenes, esters alcohols (linalool 25%) |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The herbal tea has diuretic, digestive, soothing, appetizing, antitussive, sudorific and spasmolytic properties. Due to its high content in vitamin C, the whole plant is used as immune stimulant, as well to avoid cold and flu. Also, it is recommended for the treatment of dyspepsia, constipation, anorexia, cold and cough. Finally, it is administered against insomnia, hysteria, anxiety, depression, nervous tension, palpitation and various skin problems. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered as immune stimulant, soothing and digestive in the form of herbal tea (1-2g of dried bark in a cup of boiled water, three times a day) and in the form of tincture (2 to 3mL, three times a day). It is applied externally to the skin in the form of poultice made from the fresh leaves. Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | No side effects have been reported. |
References | 1)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Citrus+aurantium 2)http://www.kritikoskipos.gr/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=66 3)http://www.academicjournals.org/article/article1380019714_Suryawanshi.pdf 4)http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-976-bitter%20orange.aspx?activeingredientid=976&activeingredientname=bitter%20orange 5)http://www.drugs.com/npp/bitter-orange.html 6)http://botanakaiygeia.blogspot.com/2013/10/petitgrain-citrus-aurantium.html |