Orange
Orange peel, flowers, and essential oils support digestive function, regulate qi stagnation, tone mucous membranes, and provide both calming and uplifting effects on the nervous and cardiovascular systems. The fruit offers antioxidant, connective-tissue–supportive, and anti-inflammatory actions due to its vitamin C–rich pulp.
Citrus refers to the citron tree, named for the aromatic African species that produced the first citrus fruits known in Western Europe. Sinensis means “from China,” reflecting the species’ origin.
Ripe peel supports digestion by easing fullness, gas, belching, hiccups, and nausea, and enhances circulation throughout the digestive tract. It benefits moist respiratory conditions such as chronic bronchitis, productive coughs, and asthma by astringing excessive mucus and dispersing dampness in the chest. It can help regulate loose stools and diarrhea.The juice and pulp, rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, reduce inflammation, stabilize connective tissue, modulate histamine release, and support individuals with allergies, asthma, respiratory infections, and vascular weakness. Long-term use may benefit varicose veins, atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, and elevated cholesterol, and can aid the healing of bruises.Unripe peel is used in Chinese herbal medicine to disperse liver qi stagnation and relieve distention of the chest, breasts, or abdomen. It promotes downward movement of qi, helps clear food stagnation, and supports bowel movement. Larger doses have a stronger peristaltic effect.Aged citrus peel dries dampness, reduces stagnation, and is often combined with tonic herbs to prevent their cloying nature from causing digestive obstruction.Orange blossoms have gentle calming effects and are used to ease nervousness, anxiety, irritability, and mild insomnia, often in tea, syrup, or honey. The sour flavor of the pulp stimulates bile flow and mildly supports laxation.Essential oils offer additional specific actions:Neroli (orange flower) calms the nervous system, relieves anxiety and palpitations, gently sedates, and supports emotional shock or trauma. It promotes cell regeneration and reduces skin irritation or redness. Hydrosol preparations soothe infant colic and help settle digestion.Petitgrain stabilizes the nervous system, reduces anxiety, and improves mood, awareness, and self-confidence.Sweet and bitter orange oils uplift mood, ease nervous tension, support cold and flu symptoms, and may help dissolve gallstones. Only organic oils should be used, as citrus is heavily sprayed. Many citrus oils are phototoxic and should not be applied before sun exposure.
Arab traders introduced the Asian bitter orange to Europe in the 13th century, where it spread to England and Spain by the late 1200s. The peel was traditionally used for digestive disorders and malaria. In China, references to citrus appear as early as 500 BCE, and a detailed monograph was written in 1178 describing its ability to reduce phlegm, treat coughs and colds, strengthen the spleen, and regulate qi. Citrus was used for blood in the stool and for supporting uterine or rectal prolapse. In Europe, candied orange blossoms became a specialty in Grasse, France, and orange flower water was added to baked goods for crispness.
An evergreen tree or large shrub reaching 4–12 m tall, forming a rounded crown with dense, glossy, aromatic foliage. Young twigs may be angular and bear small axillary spines. Leaves are alternate, leathery, and elliptic to ovate with a short, narrowly winged petiole and numerous oil glands visible when held to the light.Flowers are bisexual, fragrant, and white, borne singly or in small clusters. They possess 4–5 petals, a superior ovary, and numerous stamens fused at the base.The fruit is a globose to oblong hesperidium with a bright orange, oil-rich rind (flavedo) and a white spongy interior (albedo). The inner pulp divides into 10–14 segments of juice-filled vesicles. Seeds vary in number and are often polyembryonic.Most cultivated citrus species—including sweet oranges—are hybrids derived from three ancestral species: citron, pomelo, and mandarin.
Orange peel contains limonene, which may cause contact dermatitis or phototoxic reactions. Avoid applying citrus essential oils to the skin for at least 12 hours before sun exposure. Orange peel can be a food allergen, and excessive consumption may cause colic or more serious reactions in children. Individuals with calcium oxalate kidney stones should limit intake of large amounts of citrus peel. Avoid use with dry coughs, bloody sputum, sticky yellow phlegm, or significant qi, blood, or yin deficiency.
Fresh peel 1:2–1:3 (70–95% ethanol); dry peel 1:5 (60% ethanol).
Dose: 10–30 drops up to 3× daily.
Dry peel 1:5 (40% alcohol, 30% glycerin, 30% water).
Dose: 10–30 drops up to 3× daily.
1:5 apple cider vinegar.
Dose: 1 tsp, 1–3× daily before meals.
Cold infusion or a short 10–15 minute decoction of peel. Keep vessel covered to retain volatile oils.
Dose: 8–12 ounces, 3–4× daily.
Orange flowers may also be prepared as a cold infusion.
Used according to purpose and preparation method; essential oils applied externally should avoid sun exposure afterward.
Christina Sinadinos, David Hoffman, Bryan Bowen, all relevant CHSHS lectures.