Bitter Orange: benefits and uses
The bitter orange tree, in 3 essential points:
-Reduces nervousness and irritability and maintains a healthy nervous balance
-Reduces restlessness and promotes quality sleep
-Also stimulates appetite
The bitter orange has long been renowned as a decorative element and a key ingredient in perfumery. A decorative element and a key ingredient in perfumery, this citrus fruit also plays a key role in phytotherapy.
What can you tell a bitter orange tree by?
The bitter orange is a tree with a branched trunk which, in the wild, can grow up to 8 meters high. Today’s cultivation methods, however, keep it to a maximum height of 5 meters. This gives it an attractive, full, round branch. Bitter orange branches are slightly thorny when young. These thorns become longer as the tree ages.
Bitter oranges have whole, alternate, oval, smooth, evergreen leaves. However, the leaves are visually narrower than those of the sweet orange. Carried by a winged petiole, the leaf blade is 10 cm long and around 5 cm wide. Aromatic, bitter orange leaves are punctuated with translucent pockets and are a brilliant dark green color.
Growing in the leaf axils, inflorescences consist of solitary flowers or flowers grouped in clusters of 2 or 3. These flowers, about 4 cm in diameter, can be recognized by their white, slightly pinkish hues. They produce the famous essential oil of Neroli, whose pleasant scent is particularly seductive in the perfume industry. The fruit of the bitter orange is a yellow to orange globular berry. Ranging in size from 5 to 8 cm, it contains a greenish, generally hollow pulp. It is acidic and slightly bitter. The rind is thick, the zest highly aromatic and the seeds particularly numerous. Bitter orange berries ripen between November and January. They are made into syrup, jam or marmalade. The peel is candied, then covered in chocolate before being used as a delicacy for the festive season. The essence extracted from the zest is used in a number of famous liqueurs. The bitter orange is also known as the bigaradier or Seville orange.
How to grow this ornamental tree?
Originally from India, the bigaradier is now grown in the open ground in most warm and temperate regions. It is common all around the Mediterranean and around Biarritz. The bitter orange tree is easy to grow, but requires a little maintenance. For a beautiful, healthy tree, we recommend growing it in well-drained soil. Regular watering and fertilizing are also recommended. The Seville orange particularly likes full sun. In countries where temperatures can drop below -4°C, it is preferable to grow it in a container. For a healthy plant, opt for 50-60 cm tubs and citrus potting mixes. From autumn onwards, reduce watering frequency and avoid soaking roots in water. The bitter orange is undoubtedly one of the most disease-resistant citrus trees. What’s more, its extensive root system makes it an excellent natural rootstock for other species.
The benefits of bitter orange and sour orange extracts for the body
Phytotherapy uses various elements of the tree, including flowers, flower buds and leaves. The pericarp is also an ingredient of choice in herbal medicine. The pericarp is the skin of fresh fruit harvested before ripening. These various elements contain active substances, including flavonoids and monoterpenes. These include myrcenes and limonenes.
These active ingredients work synergistically to help you relax, especially if you lead a fairly stressful lifestyle. They reduce nervousness and irritability and maintain a healthy nervous balance. In addition, bitter orange extracts are traditionally used to reduce feverishness and promote quality sleep. They also stimulate the appetite. The benefits of bitter orange can be enjoyed in a variety of product formats. In fact, bitter orange is available in capsules, herbal teas and decoctions. In all cases, it’s important to follow the correct dosage. We also encourage you to respect the shelf life indicated on the packaging of your dietary supplements.