Orange Blossom

The Orange blossom is the fragrant flower of the Citrus sinensis (orange tree). Orange blossoms, also known as sour orange and Seville orange, are the flowers of the sour orange tree, better known as the bitter orange tree - Citrus aurantium. This plant is highly coveted in the world of perfume for its delicate scent and its fresh and floral notes. It is mainly cultivated for fragrance, food and aromatherapy. Thought to have originated in Southeast Asia, it’s now found throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, the South Sea Islands, Europe, and Western and Southern Africa.

It's a perennial, deciduous shrub that can reach a height of 6 feet. It produces red, white or pink flowers up to 3 inches across in summer.

Orange Blossom is commonly used in complementary medicine, herbal weight loss supplements, and certain foods and toppings like marmalade. In food, the oil is used as a flavoring agent. Also, oil is safe when applied to the skin or inhaled as aromatherapy. Fruit is used to make marmalade and liqueurs.

The juice, peel, and essential oil of Citrus aurantium (the Latin name for Seville orange, or bitter orange) have all been used medicinally. Traditionally uses include digestive problems, epilepsy, fatigue, insomnia, infections, respiratory problems, skin problems, and many other uses. As a flavoring, essence of bitter orange is found in the drinks Triple Sec and Cointreau.

Medicinal uses

• Bitter orange is a citrus fruit with dimpled skin and potent plant compounds that are extracted and used in a variety of supplements.
• Protoalkaloids are plant compounds found in bitter orange that have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. They have been shown to be safe for consumption.
• Although bitter orange extracts are often included in weight loss supplements, there’s limited evidence to support their effectiveness.
• Despite numerous studies showing that bitter orange extracts are not stimulants, widespread controversy  exists , and the NCAA has listed it as a banned substance. Bitter orange may also interact with certain medications.
• Bitter orange is likely safe in doses ranging from 30.6 mg of synephrine in the fruit itself to 98 mg in dietary supplements.
• This herb may be used before surgery to decrease nervousness and anxiety.
• The oil is used for treatment of Fungal skin infections, Athlete's foot and Jock.

Precautions

• Orange blossom is usually regarded as safe. There are no reported cases of intoxication.
• Avoid taking together with sedating drugs, as a possible interaction may occur.
• Rare allergic effects may theoretically occur in people hypersensitive to citrus plants.
• Safety during pregnancy and lactation is unknown. Consult with your health care provider.
• Pregnancy and lactation - Unsafe during this time. The effects of Bitter Orange on breast feeding infant's are not known. Stay on the safe side and avoid using Bitter Orange during pregnancy or breast feeding.
• For people with diabetes, monitor blood sugar levels closely. Avoid using Bitter Orange with stimulants such as caffeine or if you have high blood pressure. For people with glaucoma, it can worsen the disease. For people with heart diseases, it can increase the risk and side effects. Causes irregular heart beat used with caffeine. Avoid using if you have irregular heartbeat.
• This herb is unsafe when used as weight loss. Fainting, heart attack, stroke, headache and sensitivity to the sun can be some of the side effects.

Interactions

• Medications for depression interact with Bitter Orange.
• Midazolan interacts with Bitter Orange.
• Caffeine interacts with Bitter Orange.
• Dextromethorphan interacts with Bitter Orange.
• Felodipine interacts with Bitter Orange.
• Indinavir interacts with Bitter Orange.
• Medication changed by liver, medication that cause irregular heart beat and stimulant drugs all interact with Bitter Orange.
• Stop using Bitter Orange 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery if you have irregular heartbeat.

Bitter orange is a citrus fruit with several household and industrial uses, ranging from food additives to perfumery. It’s primarily used to make marmalades and jellies due to its high pectin content. Bitter orange is quite tart and unlikely to be eaten raw. Naturally high in pectin, a gelling agent, the fruit’s primary culinary application is for making marmalade. Bitter orange oil is also used as a flavoring or additive for preservatives (jellies), candy (chewing gum, hard candy, and candied fruit), desserts (ice cream, pies), sauces and chutneys, salad dressing, fermented wine. The juice of the bitter orange can be used as a marinade to flavor fish and meat. In some regions, it’s used similarly to vinegar. The extracted oils give a distinctive flavor to liqueurs like Grand Marnier. In China, bitter orange is used to make herbal teas and medicines. Bitter orange has several other household uses outside of the kitchen including soap substitues, essential oils (including neroli and petitgrain), perfumery, traditional medicine (such as antiseptics and hemostatics).