Synonym(s)
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Aurantii amari epicarpium, bitter orange peel is the phytotherapeutically used peel of the bitter orange.
The quality is listed in the European Pharmacopoeia.
HMPC: not processed
ESCOP: not processed
Commission E Monograph: Dyspeptic complaints and loss of appetite
Empirical medicine: Dyspepticcomplaints, stomach cramps, vomiting, appetite stimulant, digestive stimulant.
Bitter orange peel is an ingredient in lemon balm spirit and is marketed as Orongeat.
Cosmetics industry: Citrus aurantium amara peel extract (INCI)
CAVE: Due to its ß-synephrine content, it is also used as a slimming agent (fat burner) and dietary supplement for athletes to improve performance, also in combination with caffeine. This can lead to serious cardiovascular incidents and even death. A corresponding warning has been issued by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (see literature reference).
IngredientsThis section has been translated automatically.
The bitter orange peel used medicinally and monographed by Commission E contains up to 2 % essential oil, bitter and non-bitter tasting flavonoids(hesperetin, naringin) and furanocoumarins. The drug must have a bitter value of at least 600 and contain 2 % essential oil (n. Ph. Eur.8). The protoalkaloid ß-synephrine in small quantities.
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EffectsThis section has been translated automatically.
bitter orange peel stimulates the appetite, increases the secretion of gastric juices and has an antispasmodic effect. The effects of the flavonoids have been demonstrated in numerous experimental studies. The substance neohesperetin, a component of bitter orange peel that plays a key role in its effectiveness, has an apoptosis-promoting and neuroprotective effect and has been shown experimentally to inhibit beta-amyloid aggregation (see amyloid below) in the central nervous system.
Field of application/useThis section has been translated automatically.
Also used as a flavoring agent in the food and pharmaceutical industries, especially in gastrointestinal preparations.
DosageThis section has been translated automatically.
The average daily dose of the drug is 4 to 6 g, 2 to 3 g for a tincture and 1 to 2 g for dry extracts.
Undesirable effectsThis section has been translated automatically.
Due to the furanocoumarins, photosensitization may occur, especially in fair-skinned patients. This has not yet been observed when taking tea preparations.
Significant inhibition of the absorption of Ciclosporin!
Caution: In slimming products, so-called fat burners, high content of ß-synephrine with effects on the cardiovascular system up to fatal consequences!
ContraindicationThis section has been translated automatically.
There are no known contraindications.
InteractionsThis section has been translated automatically.
No interactions with other medications are known. Reduced absorption of ciclosporin at a daily dose of over 6 g.
Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.
Bitter orange peels are particularly well suited as a flavour correction. Bitter orange peels without essential oil are of inferior quality, but are easy to recognize. Bitter orange peel is interchangeable with orange peel.
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Bharti S et al. (2014) Preclinical evidence for the pharmacological actions of naringin: a review. Planta Med 80:437-451.
- Ho SL et al.(2015) Inhibition Of β-amyloid Aggregation By Albiflorin, Aloeemodin And Neohesperidin And Their Neuroprotective Effect On Primary Hippocampal Cells Against β-amyloid Induced Toxicity. Curr Alzheimer Res 12:424-433.
- Jia S et al. (2015) Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of neohesperidin derived from Citrus aurantium L. in diabetic KK-A(y) mice. Food Funct 6:878-886.
- Schilcher H (2016) In: Leitfaden Phytotherapie, Urban & Fischer Verlag Munich, p. 253 f.
- Szentmihályi K et al. (2015) Antioxidant value and element content in some tinctures used in medication. Acta Biol Hung 66:293-303.
- Xu F et al.(2012) Neohesperidin induces cellular apoptosis human breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells via activating the Bcl-2/Bax-mediated signaling pathway. Nat Prod Commun 7:1475-1478.
- Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl-Teedrogens and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practice. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 99-101
- https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/343/gesundheitliche-bewertung-von-synephrin-und-koffeinhaltigen-sportlerprodukten-und-schlankheitsmitteln.pdf
- Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl tea drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practice. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 99-101
- https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/bitterorange.php
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer
Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles