Bitter orange is a variety of oranges derived from the aurantium citrus tree. It became popular among dieters and weight watchers after the substance ephedra was banned from the US market due to its harmful side effects. Bitter orange, which contains the substance synephrine, became an alternative ingredient to ephedra to help safely lose weight.

Bitter orange can be effective in treating patients suffering from anxiety, epilepsy, and insomnia. The essential oils from the orange peel and the hydroethanolic extract extracted from the orange leaves are the key components that give the supplement its anxiolytic properties. Research shows that the oil extract delayed epileptic seizures during seizure attacks.

The use of essential oils of Citrica aurantium has aroused interest due to its relaxing and calming properties discovered in an experiment carried out with laboratory animals. He showed that the essential oil contains the compounds limonene and myrcene, substances known to have antidepressant effects on the central nervous system.

Seville orange, another term for citrus aurantium, is also believed to have antioxidant effects on the liver. Experiments show that the amount of glutathione, a widely used antioxidant, was significantly increased and the blood glucose level was lowered after taking bitter orange. Regular supplementation of this substance improves the activities of the superoxide dismutase enzyme and reduces damage to liver hepatocytes.

It is also suggested that bitter orange may be a safe and effective weight loss supplement for healthy overweight individuals when taken in combination with St. John’s wort and caffeine. In an experiment conducted on healthy overweight subjects given a combination of bitter orange, St. John’s wort, and caffeine supplements, the subjects lost significant amounts of body fat and body weight. The subjects also lost moderate amounts of cholesterol and triglycerides in their blood.

No significant changes were observed in the subjects’ heart rate, blood pressure, blood chemistry, or in the results of the subjects’ electrocardiography and urinalysis tests.

The results of this particular experiment show that bitter orange is a safe alternative when taken with St. John’s wort and caffeine combined with an effective diet and exercise program to achieve a successful weight loss program.

While research says that components of bitter orange may be effective in promoting weight loss, studies show that those same substances may be the very ingredients that are potentially dangerous to health. Synephrine and octapamine, chemicals similar to ephedra, are said to raise blood pressure and increase heart rate. It can cause migraines, blackouts, and can lead to stroke and heart attack. Always consult your doctor before taking any type of weight loss supplement.