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Orange Bitter

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(Citrus aurantium) var. amara
Traditionally used to ease congestion, stimulate gastrointestinal function and balance appetite.

 Info

Orange, Bitter
Citrus aurantium var. amara

Plant Origin: Brazil
Method: Expressed from peel
Chemical Family: Monoterpene
Aroma: Citrusy, slightly bitter
Note (Evaporation Rate): Top

Key Constituents from GC/MS Analysis: Lot# 109
limonene 93.50%
linalyl acetate 0.49%
myrcene 1.69%
linalool 0.37%

Safety Information
Children: Suitable. Maximum dermal use level is 1.25% if applied to skin exposed to UV light.

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Suitable. Maximum dermal use level is 1.25% if applied to skin exposed to UV light.

Therapeutic Uses
Bitter Orange essential oil may support, aid, ease, soothe, reduce, calm, relax, promote and/or maintain healthy function of the following:

Allergies

Anticoagulant

Antihistamine

Anxiety, eases

Appetite

Bones, helps form collagen to repair (Sylla Sheppard-Hanger)

Bronchial dilator

Bronchitis

Cancer (limonene)

Circulation, increases

Colds

Constipation

Digestion, indigestion

Drug withdrawal anxiety (see studies below)

Edema (water retention)

Energizes

Flu

Gallbladder

Gastrointestinal

Immune supportive

Insomnia, eases when due to anxiety

Intestinal, resorption, relaxes smooth muscle cells in intestines and digestive glands (Sylla Sheppard-Hanger)

Kidney

Laxative

Liver

Mental Clarity, concentration

Metabolism

Muscles, sore

Post-Partum Depression

Sedative

Sleep

Stomach, eases nervous

Stress

Sympathetic Nervous System, activates

Uterus, relaxes smooth muscle

Hopewell Essential Oil Blends containing Bitter Orange
Balance
Endurance

Research and Aromatherapy Literature Notes:
Synephrine (a naturally occuring component of Bitter Orange) has a thermogenic effect in the body, which can be useful in burning fat. It is recommended that you drink plenty of water when taking Bitter Orange as a supplement. Since synephrine is a stimulant, it may increase blood pressure if used as an isolated component, but when used as a whole with the quenching components that naturally occur in Bitter Orange oil, it is believed that it can increase metabolic rate without affecting blood pressure or heart rate (although I couldn't find scientific evidence either way). Because it may increase the body's metabolic rate, it may also increase your system's capacity to burn calories.

Price writes in Aromatherapy for Health Professionals: "Citrus oils generally have a favourable effect on the digestive system, being mildly appetite stimulating and digestive. Citrus aurantium var. amara (per.) is given as a treatment for constipation as it encourages intestinal peristalsis and also acts as a cholagogue (Duraffourd 1982 p. 95); this oil is also mentioned for dyspepsia, flatulence and gastric spasm (Franchomme & Pénoël 2001 p. 365)."

Anxiolytic Effect of Citrus aurantium L. in Crack Users

"The EO of Citrus aurantium L., administered by nebulization, showed an acute anxiolytic effect in crack users in abstinence. This previously unreported finding has great clinical relevance when presenting a viable alternative of complementary therapy in the control of anxiety in users who are abandoning the use of drugs."

Clinical Pharmacology of Citrus aurantium and Citrus sinensis for the Treatment of Anxiety

"Citrus aurantium EO aromatherapy reduced anxiety level in the great part of stress conditions studied (subjects affected by chronic myeloid leukemia and preoperative patients) except for a sample of patients subjected to colonoscopy."

Essential oils in the treatment of intestinal dysbiosis: A preliminary in vitro study.

Results:

"Carum carvi [Caraway], Lavandula angustifolia [Lavender], Trachyspermum copticum [Ajowan] and Citrus aurantium var. amara [Bitter Orange] essential oils displayed the greatest degree of selectivity, inhibiting the growth of potential pathogens at concentrations that had no effect on the beneficial bacteria examined."

Conclusion:

"The most promising essential oils for the treatment of intestinal dysbiosis are Carum carvi, Lavandula angustifolia, Trachyspermum copticum, and Citrus aurantium var. amara. The herbs from which these oils are derived have long been used in the treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms and the in vitro results of this study suggest that their ingestion will have little detrimental impact on beneficial members of the GIT microflora. More research is needed, however, to investigate tolerability and safety concerns, and verify the selective action of these agents."

HEO's Comment: One impressive conclusion from this study is that these essential oils displayed "selectivity" against detrimental bacteria but had -0- effect on the beneficial bacteria.

This effect may be partly due to the pleasant nature of the odor, and partly due to the interaction of Bitter orange oil with serotonin receptors

"We believe that these results are promising, as EO treatment might be considered a complementary therapy for the treatment of anxiety disorders. However, further studies are necessary to explore the detailed mechanism of EO action on binding sites. Moreover, the EO appears to be well tolerated, as none of the different doses caused alterations or showed signs of toxicity."

Application Suggestions (See Essential Oil Usage for more information and a Dilution Chart.)
Topical: Dilute with a carrier oil, unscented lotion or unscented cream and apply on area of concern or as desired. Consider using a roll-on applicator for ease of application of prediluted oil.

Since Bitter Orange does not have a limiting dilution parameter, we suggest that adults follow the General Guidelines found on the Dilution Chart, which is:

2-3% for daily application

Up to 25% for short-term use

Children: For infants and children, please follow the Dilution Chart on the Babies and Children page.

Phototoxic Caution: If applying to skin that will be exposed to direct sunlight or UV light, maximum topical use is 1.25% of Bitter Orange (Ten drops per ounce or less is considered safe.)

Inhalation: Diffuse or use a personal Nasal Inhaler

Internal: Bitter Orange is suitable for internal use within safe parameters if such use is deemed appropriate. We feel that internal use is rarely *needed* and should only be used with respect for how concentrated the oils are. HEO does not advocate internal use of essential oils without appropriate knowledge and understanding of how to administer, for what purpose, how much, which essential oils, safety concerns and so on. In our experience, essential oils are generally more effective used topically with proper dilution or inhaled. Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D. notes that "French aromatherapy literature contains many references to using oils orally." He goes on to note that "generally 1 drop is always enough when ingesting essential oils." A potential toxicity hazard could occur when untrained people use essential oils orally and ingest too much. Keep in mind that while medical doctors or health care practitioners may prescribe essential oils for internal use, they are trained and experienced in the safe application of essential oils. It is not a matter of using "French" or "British" methods, it's a matter of experience and appropriate application. Click here for more information about internal use.

Safety
Phototoxic: Avoid applying to skin that will be exposed to direct sunlight for up to 12 hours after use. Tisserand notes that the maximum dermal use that will be exposed to UV light not exceed 1.25%.

Avoid contact with the eyes and other sensitive areas. Essential oils are both lipophilic and hydrophobic. Lipophilic means they are attracted to fat— like the membranes of your eyes and skin. They are also hydrophobic, meaning they do not like water. Applying a carrier oil will create another fat for the essential oil to be attracted to other than the membranes of the eyes or skin. Tisserand suggests: "With essential oils, fatty oil has been suggested as an appropriate first aid treatment, though the advantage of saline [eyewash] is that the eyes can be continually flushed, and this is less easy with fatty oil.” We are not aware of a case where essential oil in the eyes caused permanent injury or long-term discomfort, but if you feel concerned, please call your health care provider.

References
Price, Shirley and Len, Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, Third Edition, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2008.
Purchon, Nerys; Cantele, Lora, Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness, 2014, page 90.
Sheppard-Hanger, Sylla, The Aromatherapy Practitioner Reference Manuel.
Tisserand, Robert; Young, Rodney, Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals, Elsevier Health Sciences UK 2nd Edition 2014.

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May the Lord guide you continually, preserving your health and watering your life when you are dry. May you be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring full of hope for your future in His care.
From Isaiah 58:11 & Jeremiah 29:11