A closeup of furrowed bitter orange.

Bitter Orange Supplement Uses and Benefits

Are you aware of bitter orange uses in nutritional supplements? A native tree of eastern Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Arabian peninsula, bitter orange has been traditionally used to alleviate occasional constipation, indigestion, nausea, and other adverse health conditions. Beyond its medicinal properties, bitter orange is also commonly used in culinary applications  to enhance the flavors of dishes, spirits, and beer. Today, bitter orange is a key ingredient in many over-the-counter nutritional supplements, valued for its potential to supportgut health, skin vitality, and respiratory function.* 

This article highlights the differences between bitter orange and sweet orange, along with  the specific health benefits and uses of bitter orange, and why you should include an advanced supplement that contains bitter orange in your diet. Use the links below to jump ahead to different topics on the page.

Bitter Orange versus Sweet Orange

Most of us know sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis L.) and how consuming them fresh or as juice supports immune system function. Unlike sweet oranges, however, bitter oranges have an acidic pulp and a bitter albedo (commonly called “the pith”). Also known as sour or Seville orange, the fruit of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) has a characteristic pleasant odor and essential oil in its leaves. Both sweet oranges and bitter oranges are rich in vitamin C and a good source of antioxidants. Whereas sweet orange exerts beneficial effects on blood glucose and cholesterol levels, bitter orange promotes bone health and gut health.*

Compounds in Bitter Orange 

Bitter orange contains a variety of phytochemicals, including flavonoids, essential oils, and alkaloids, each contributing to its potential health benefits.  Notably, the fruit peel is rich in essential oils, primarily composed of terpenes, with limonene as the primary constituent. The fruit also contains different flavonoids, which are known for their antioxidant properties.

The key natural compounds in bitter orange can be classified as: 

  • Flavonoids: The flavanones hesperetin and naringenin are the most abundant flavonoids in bitter orange. These compounds, which are phenolic in nature, are responsible for many of the health benefits attributed to bitter orange, including antioxidant support and promoting a healthy inflammatory response.
  • Limonoids: These compounds, particularly limonin, are responsible for the fruit’s characteristic bitter taste. Limonoid aglycones are bioactive compounds that contribute to the overall therapeutic potential of bitter orange.
  • Phenylethylamine alkaloids: Bitter orange contains several alkaloids, including octopamine, hordenine, tyramine, and synephrine. Among these, p-synephrine is the most abundant, with the highest concentrations found in the peel of unripe fruits. P-synephrine is of particular interest due to its role in promoting thermogenesis and supporting metabolic health. 

These natural compounds collectively contribute to the diverse therapeutic properties of bitter orange, making it a popular ingredient in both traditional and modern formulations.

Benefits of Bitter Orange 

The bioactive compounds in bitter orange contribute to its antioxidant effects and help maintain natural inflammatory responses.* The fruit also exerts cytoprotective effects, which can down-regulate abnormal cellular proliferation and cell death (apoptosis).* Bitter orange essential oil exerts anxiolytic effects, which can lower anxiety levels (non-GAD) and promote calming or sleep-inducing effects.*

The beneficial effects of bitter orange on liver metabolism, cardiac functions, and the gastrointestinal system have been widely researched. The following table highlights some of the research-backed benefits of bitter orange.        

Bitter Orange Benefits
  • Works as an antioxidant and helps maintain normal inflammatory responses*: In a comparative study assessing the antioxidant potentials of the peels and leaves of different orange varieties, Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) displayed the highest action in slowing down the rate of linoleic acid and beta-carotene oxidation1.* The potent antioxidant activity of bitter orange is linked to the natural ability of its flavonoids to counter free radicals and disrupt radical chains.*

    The flavonoids in bitter orange also contribute to its immunomodulatory effects, which helps maintain the body’s normal inflammatory responses.* These flavonoids beneficially influence cell signaling pathways, such as the NF-ƘB pathway, and suppress mRNA and protein expression to maintain normal inflammatory responses.*
  • Exerts anxiolytic effects: Bitter orange extracts have been demonstrated to possess anxiolytic and sedative-like properties2.* Bitter orange’s essential oil is suggested to stimulate the central nervous system, help maintain normal blood pressure, and help alleviate anxiety (non-GAD).*
  • Promotes liver metabolism: A study evaluating the effect of extracts from Citrus aurantium and p-synephrine on liver metabolism found that both compounds enhance glycolysis (the breakdown of glucose to produce energy), glycogenolysis (the conversion of glycogen from the muscles and liver to glucose), and oxygen uptake3.*

    Synephrine has lipolytic effects on fat cells at high doses. Furthermore, the antioxidant effects of bitter orange help regulate the metabolism of fatty acids.* 
  • Promotes gut health: Flavonoids in bitter orange extract have been shown to maintain intestinal barrier integrity by increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and modulate the gut microbiota.4,5*Limonene in bitter orange essential oil exerts multiple protective effects in the gastrointestinal system.* In a clinical study on rats, the essential oil and limonene increased gastric mucus production6.*
  • Influence on cardiac functions: The cardiovascular effects of bitter orange are currently still being evaluated; however, a study on rats evaluating the cardiovascular effects of P-synephrine and bitter orange extract found that both resulted in clinically insignificant benefits in heart rate and blood pressure7. 

    The volatile oil (neroli oil) obtained from the flowers of the bitter orange tree has been found to exert endothelium and smooth muscle-dependent vasodilation in mice8.*   

    In a single-center, randomized, double-blind controlled trial, the efficacy of a combination of citrus flavones and flavanones (grapefruit and bitter orange) and olive polyphenols was assessed. The supplementation was found to enhance endothelial function, lower blood pressure, and enhance antioxidant antioxidant status9.

Bitter Orange Supplement Uses

Bitter orange is used in nutritional supplements both as a standalone ingredient and in combination with other botanical extracts. Bitter orange supplements are commercially available as extract powders, capsules, essential oils, topical lotions, and sprays. The following table highlights some of the common bitter orange supplement uses.  

Bitter Orange Supplement Uses
  • Used for gastric conditions: Bitter orange essential oil is used for its benefits in the gastrointestinal tract, including occasional constipation, bloating, indigestion, and other gastric conditions.*
  • Applied on skin: Bitter orange’s antioxidant effects promote skin health. Topical creams/lotions/ointments containing bitter orange can be applied to bruises, fungal infections (ringworm, jock itch, and athlete’s foot infections), and bedsores.* 
  • Used for weight management: Synephrine’s role in glucose and lipid metabolism contributes to the lipolytic and thermogenic effects of bitter orange.* Bitter orange supplements are widely promoted for healthy weight management.*  
  • Used as an athletic performance enhancer: Although the findings on bitter orange’s effects on exercise performance are inconclusive, it has been promoted as a performance-enhancing supplement for athletes.* However, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has banned p-synephrine, listing it as an unapproved stimulant. 

Is Bitter Orange Safe?

The safety concerns about bitter orange arise from the similar chemical structures of p-synephrine and ephedrine. Synephrine is structurally similar to ephedrine, the main component in the herb, ephedra. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the use of ephedra in nutritional supplements because it poses serious safety risks. Although synephrine is structurally similar to ephedrine, it has different pharmacologic properties and is widely used as a suitable and safe substitute for ephedra in nutritional supplements.

Bitter orange is ‘generally recognized as safe’ (GRAS) as a flavoring agent by the FDA. Notably, both p-synephrine and bitter orange extracts are safe to be used at defined doses in supplement formulations. Although p-synephrine alone seems to have low toxicity when used in combination with other ingredients (such as caffeine and salicin), it can induce some adverse cardiovascular effects; for example, high doses of bitter orange extracts promoted for weight management can cause cardiac stimulation.      

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bitter Orange Supplements 

The following are frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the uses of bitter orange supplements.

Can I take a bitter orange supplement to shed post-pregnancy weight while breastfeeding? 

Bitter orange has no specific lactation-related uses. No data exist on the excretion of any compounds of bitter orange into breastmilk or on the safety and efficacy of bitter orange in nursing mothers or infants. Animal data indicates that the adrenergic agents (that have effects similar to adrenaline) might decrease milk production. Therefore, nursing mothers should generally avoid taking a bitter orange supplement.      

Can I take a bitter orange supplement with prescription medications? 

There is inconclusive data on the long-term use of bitter orange and its potential contraindications with prescription medications. Therefore, it is always recommended to consult with your healthcare provider before including a bitter orange supplement in your diet.  

How do I choose the best bitter orange supplement?

The safety and efficacy of commercially available bitter orange supplements depend on the appropriate amount of bitter orange in the formulation and the nutrient delivery format that can optimize its bioavailability and absorption.  

BiomeAide® is an innovative gastrointestinal support supplement developed by Tesseract Medical Research that contains multiple clinically tested botanical extracts along with bitter orange, including ginger, cinnamon, citronella, lavender, clove, oregano, orange, and thyme and marjoram oils. The unrivaled CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology developed by Tesseract Medical Research enhances the bioavailability and absorption of BiomeAide’s ingredients. This proprietary technology enables optimal absorption, which means a lower amount of the formulation’s nutrients is needed to achieve the desired results. The micro-dosing of the nutrients in a single capsule to attain maximum efficacy optimizes the formulation for various indications of use for bitter orange supplements.  

The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing absorption and bioavailability, and micro-dosing multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they can help support gastrointestinal health.*

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1Lagha-Benamrouche S, Madani K. 2013;50:723–730. doi: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2013.07.048.

2Carvalho-Freitas, Maria Isabel Roth, and Mirtes Costa. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin vol. 25,12 (2002): 1629-33. doi:10.1248/bpb.25.1629

3Peixoto, Jéssica Sereno et al. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 17,5 5854-69. 16 May. 2012, doi:10.3390/molecules17055854

4Maurer Sost M, et al. Foods. 2023;12(18):3413. Published 2023 Sep 13. doi:10.3390/foods12183413

5Estrada-Sierra NA, et al. Foods. 2024;13(4):587. Published 2024 Feb 15. doi:10.3390/foods13040587

6Moraes, Thiago M et al. Chemico-biological interactions vol. 180,3 (2009): 499-505. doi:10.1016/j.cbi.2009.04.006

7Hansen, Deborah K et al. Toxicology and applied pharmacology vol. 261,3 (2012): 236-47. doi:10.1016/j.taap.2012.04.006

8Sánchez Macarro M, Martínez Rodríguez JP, Bernal Morell E, et al. Nutrients. 2020;12(5):1475. Published 2020 May 19. doi:10.3390/nu12051475

8Kang, Purum et al. “Endothelium- and smooth muscle-dependent vasodilator effects of Citrus aurantium L. var. amara: Focus on Ca(2+) modulation.” Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie vol. 82 (2016): 467-71. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2016.05.030

9Sánchez Macarro M, Martínez Rodríguez JP, Bernal Morell E, et al. Effect of a Combination of Citrus Flavones and Flavanones and Olive Polyphenols for the Reduction of Cardiovascular Disease Risk: An Exploratory Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study in Healthy Subjects. Nutrients. 2020;12(5):1475. Published 2020 May 19. doi:10.3390/nu12051475

Al Czap, Founder | Tesseract

Al Czap has more than four decades of professional experience in preventative medicine. He founded Thorne Research in 1984 (sold in 2010) and he published Alternative Medicine Review for 17 years beginning in 1996. AMR was a highly acclaimed, peer-reviewed, and indexed medical journal. Al was the first to recognize the need for hypoallergenic ingredients and to devise methods of manufacture for and delivery of hypoallergenic products to underserved patient populations. His work has greatly impacted those with impaired immune and digestive systems and compromised health due to environmental exposures.

The advanced formulations based on our revolutionary, patented, and patent-pending technology are only available through Tesseract. No other medical, pharmaceutical, or supplement company is licensed to utilize our proprietary technology.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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