Bitter Orange 

This fact sheet provides basic information about bitter orange—common names, 

uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. The bitter 

orange tree is native to eastern Africa and tropical Asia. Today, it is grown 

throughout the Mediterranean region and elsewhere, including California and 

Florida. Bitter orange oil is used in foods, cosmetics, and aromatherapy 

products. Bitter orange oil from the tree’s leaves is called petitgrain, and oil 

from the flowers is called neroli. 

Common Names—bitter orange, Seville orange, sour orange, Zhi shi 

Latin Name—Citrus aurantium 

What It Is Used For 

•	 Bitter orange has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and by 

indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest for nausea, indigestion, 

and constipation. 

•	 Current uses of bitter orange are for heartburn, loss of appetite, nasal 

congestion, and weight loss. It is also applied to the skin for fungal 

infections such as ringworm and athlete’s foot. 

How It Is Used 

The dried fruit and peel (and sometimes flowers and leaves) are taken by mouth 

in extracts, tablets, and capsules. Bitter orange oil can be applied to the skin. 

What the Science Says 

•	 There is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of bitter orange 

for health purposes. 

•	 Many herbal weight-loss products now use concentrated extracts of bitter 

orange peel in place of ephedra. However, bitter orange contains the 

chemical synephrine, which is similar to the main chemical in ephedra. The 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned ephedra because it raises blood 

pressure and is linked to heart attacks and strokes; it is unclear whether 

bitter orange has similar effects. There is currently little evidence that bitter 

orange is safer to use than ephedra. 

Side Effects and Cautions 

•	 Because bitter orange contains chemicals that may speed up the heart rate 

and raise blood pressure, it may not be safe to use as a dietary supplement. 

There have been reports of fainting, heart attack, and stroke in healthy 

people after taking bitter orange supplements alone or combined with 
 

 

 

caffeine. People should avoid taking bitter orange supplements if they have a heart 


condition or high blood pressure, or if they are taking medications (such as MAO 


inhibitors), caffeine, or other herbs/supplements that speed up the heart rate. 


•	 Due to lack of safety evidence, pregnant women should avoid products that contain 

bitter orange. 

•	 Bitter orange oil used on the skin may increase the risk of sunburn, particularly in lightskinned people. 

•	 Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you 

use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure 

coordinated and safe care. 

Sources 

Bent S, Padula A, Neuhaus J. Safety and efficacy of citrus aurantium for weight loss. American Journal of Cardiology. 

2004;94(10):1359-1361. 

Bitter orange. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com 

on May 16, 2007. 

Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturalstandard.com 

on May 16, 2007. 

Orange peel, bitter. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. 

Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:287-289. 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Requests Seizure of More Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedrine Alkaloids. U.S. 

Food and Drug Administration Web site. Accessed at www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2006/new01325.html on May 23, 2007. 

For More Information 

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view: 

•	 What’s in the Bottle? An Introduction to Dietary Supplements at nccam.nih.gov/health/bottle/ 

•	 Herbal Supplements: Consider Safety, Too at nccam.nih.gov/health/supplement-safety/ 

NCCAM Clearinghouse 

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226 

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615 

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov 

CAM on PubMed 

Web site: nccam.nih.gov/camonpubmed/ 

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements 

Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov 

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. 

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute 

for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage 

you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The 

mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM. 

National Institutes of Health 

♦♦♦

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

D390 

Created August 2007 

Updated November 2008 

*D390*