| Herbs & Supplements:

Citrus aurantium

Supplement Forms/Alternate Names:
  • Bitter orange; Seville orange; Sour orange

 

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Introduction

Citrus aurantium refers to the bitter orange fruit. The juice, peel, and pulp can be taken orally. They have been used to ease anxiety, digestion, and sleeplessness. Citrus aurantium has also been used to promote weight loss. It can be applied to the skin or diffused as an oil. Citrus aurantium can also be made into a tea or taken as a pill, powder, or extract.

Dosages

There are no advised doses for Citrus aurantium.

 

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What Research Shows

May Be Effective

• Menopause—may ease anxiety symptoms and improve sleep ^{B1, B2} 
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)—may improve symptoms when used as an essential oil ^C1 
• Preoperative anxiety—may ease symptoms ^D1 

Not Enough Data to Assess

• Chronic myeloid leukemia^A1 

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

 

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Safety Notes

It is likely safe for most adults to use citrus aurantium on the skin or to take it orally in small doses for a short time, but it may increase blood pressure and heart rate and cause other problems in some people.^E1  Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take citrus aurantium orally. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to use for a long period.

Interactions

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse such as:

• People taking nervous system stimulants or sedatives should talk to their doctor before taking citrus aurantium. It may interact with the medicine.
• People with depression or cystic fibrosis should talk to their doctors before taking citrus aurantium. It may interact with their medicines.

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References [ + ]

A. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

A1. Pimenta FC, Alves MF, et al. Anxiolytic Effect of Citrus aurantium L. on Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Phytother Res. 2016 Apr;30(4):613-617.

B. Menopause

B1. Farshbaf-Khalili A, Kamalifard M, et al. Comparison of the effect of lavender and bitter orange on anxiety in postmenopausal women: A triple-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018 May;31:132-138.

B2. Kamalifard M, Farshbaf-Khalili A, et al. Comparison of the effect of lavender and bitter orange on sleep quality in postmenopausal women: A triple-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Women Health. 2018 Sep;58(8):851-865.

C. Premenstrual Syndrome

C1. Heydari N, Abootalebi M, et al. Investigation of the effect of aromatherapy with Citrus aurantium blossom essential oil on premenstrual syndrome in university students: A clinical trial study. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018;32:1-5.

D. Preoperative Anxiety

D1. Akhlaghi M, Shabanian G, et al. Citrus aurantium blossom and preoperative anxiety. Rev Bras Anestesiol. 2011 Nov-Dec;61(6):702-712.

E. Safety

E1. Penzak SR, Jann MW, et al. Seville (sour) orange juice: synephrine content and cardiovascular effects in normotensive adults. J Clin Pharmacol. 2001 Oct;41(10):1059-1063.

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Last reviewed February 2020 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
Last Updated: 6/17/2020

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