BITTER ORANGE

Description

It is a small tree originated in Asia of up to 5 m high. Leaves are perennial with an erect trunk branched at the rounded top. Bark is green in the branches and blackish in the trunk. They are also alternate, petiolate (petiole is winged in the upper side), lanceolate and acuminate at the apex. Their edge is smooth. They are glossy, dark green on the upper side, paler beneath. Flowers are white, scented and displayed in small racemes in the leave axil. They have 5 to 8 petals with many scent glands. The fruit is a spherical berry that turns orange when ripe. The skin has plenty of scent secreting glands. The pulp is juicy (carpels) and has seeds.

It blooms all year long, especially in April.

Part used

Orange blossom is the flower of the orange tree. The medicine is composed by the dried parts of the flower. The fruit bark, fruits and leaves are also used.

Indications

Flowers

• Nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia.
• Anorexia, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal spasms
• Neurovegetative dystonia.
• Nervous coughing.

Rind of the mature fruit

• Anorexia, dyspepsia, and gastrointestinal spasms.
• It contributes to weight loss in case of overweight and obesity.
• Varicose veins, phlebitis, hemorrhoids, blood vessel fragility, edemas.
• Nervousness and excitement.
• Diarrhea.
• Hypercholesterolemia.