Bitter
Orange - Citrus
aurantium
Bitter
Orange [citrus aurantium] or Seville Orange is an
evergreen tree up to 30ft tall, with leathery, dark
green leaves, fragrant white flowers, and orange
fruit.
The
Bitter Orange has provided food and medicine for
thousands of years - fruit, peel, leaves, flowers,
seeds are all used : Neroli oil is extracted from
the flowers, Petitgrain oil from the leaves and
young shoots The distilled flower water is antispasmodic
and sedative.
The
bitter orange fruit, perhaps best known in the form
of Marmalade, is an acidic fruit, which stimluates
the digestion and relieves flatulence, and is a
remedy for travel and morning sickness. An infusion
of the fruit helps to lower fevers, calm palpitations
and soothe headaches.
Bitter
Orange is a stimulating tonic remedy - it is often
used in cough remedies as it increases the coughing
response. The juice helps the body elminate waste
and is rich in vitamin C, although it should not
be taken in excess as the high acid content can
exacerberate arthritis. Resent research suggests
that the bitter orange can reduce high blood pressure,
it has also been shown to stimulate urination.
!
Avoid high doses of Bitter Orange during pregnancy
!
See
also Neroli & Petitgrain |