Sour orange/ bitter orange – nutrition, benefits and recipes

The scientific name of the sour orange are Citrus aurantium Linn. , Citrus  aurantium L. var. dulcis L., Citrus longispina Wester , Citrus sinensis Osbeck , and Citrus vulagaris Risso. It is commonly known as Bitter orangeCoolie orange, and Citrus karna, Sadaphal, Gambhru khatta, Kharna katta, Mallikanarangi (Siddha/Tamil)

and Swadu-naringa (Sanskrit).

Other names are:

ARABIC: Burtuqâl, Burtuqual, Burtuqân, Kabbâd, Naffâsh, Nâring.
CHINESE: Cheng, Dai dai hua, Suan cheng, Jin qiu, Lai mu.
CROATIAN: Gorka naranča.
DANISH: Pomerans.
DUTCH: Bittere sinaasappel, Oranjeappel.
FINNISH: Hapanappelsiini, Hunaja-appelsiini, Makea appelsiini, Pomeranssi.
FRENCH: Orange amère, Oranger amer, Oranger à fruits amers.
GERMAN: Bitterorangen, Bittere Orange, Bitterorange, Pomeranze, Pomeranzenbaum.
GREEK: Neratzi (fruit), Neratzia (tree).
HEBREW: Khushkhash, Tapuz marir.
HINDI: Khatta, Naarangii, Naaringii.
ITALIAN: Arancio amaro (tree), Arancia forte, Melangola (fruit), Melangolo (tree), Melarancio (tree), Melarancia (fruit), Cedrangola (fruit) , Cedrangolo (tree).
JAPANESE: Bitaa orenji, Sawaa orenji, Daidai.
MALAY: Jeruk manis.
MALAYALAM: Karna.
NEPALESE: Kali jyamir.
POLISH: Pomaranćza gorzka.
PORTUGUESE: Laranja-azeda, Laranjeira azêda.
RUSSIAN: Pomeranets.
SPANISH: Naranja ácida, Naranja agria, Naranja amarga, Naranjo de fruta agria, Naranja mateca.
TAMIL: Kiccilippaḻam, Nārantai, Narantampaḻam, Tōṭaippaḻam.
THAI: Som kliang, Som.
TURKISH: Turunç.
VIETNAMESE: Cam chua, Cam đắng, Chanh đắng.

Sour orange refers to an orange with a sour, pungent, mouth-puckering quality. It is found in many regions of the world including Central America, Italy, France, Tropical Africa, China, India, Morocco, Haiti, Taiwan, Cyprus etc.

How to check for ripeness of sour orange?

There are more than 1500 types of it. Some types of sour orange possess green skins, some yellow, while others are deep orange. This means the fruit’s best indicator of ripeness is the fragrance and aroma of its skin. The best oranges have incredibly oily, zesty peels that practically burst with a citrusy aroma. Look for fruits that feel heavy for their size, and avoid those with hard, brown skin and small pores.

Like amlas, lemons, and limes, a sour orange cannot be eaten in their raw form—it’s extremely acidic, bitter, and, as its name suggests, sour. Drinking the juice requires adding copious amounts of water and sweetener.

Sour orange nutritional value and facts

A good source of vitamin C and rich in flavonoids. The flowers and rind of the fresh fruit contain neroli, a volatile oil, a fragrant yellowish liquid with a bitter and aromatic taste.

A 100 gm of Sour orange has about 37 to 66 calories. It contain

83-89.2 g Moisture

0.6-1 g Protein

0.1 g Fat

9.6-15.3 g Carbohydrates

0.4 g Fiber

0.5 g Ash

18-50 mg Calcium

0.2 mg Iron

12 mg Phosphate

200 IU Vitamin A

100 mcg Thiamine

40 mcg Riboflavin

0.3 mg Niacin

45-90 mg Ascorbic Acid

Sour-orange--Citrus--aurantium

Medicinal properties of Sour orange

• Aperitif, aromatic, stomachic, tonic, astringent, mildly carminative, cholagogue, antibacterial, antiemetic, antifungal, antispasmodic, antitussive, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, stimulant, vermifuge.

• Dried rind is considered aromatic, stomachic, tonic, astringent, and mildly carminative.

• Citrus flavonoids have potential antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-cancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory activity, and cholesterol lowering potential.

Traditional uses of sour orange

– Juice is a cooling drink, and used as food, particularly for the febrile and scorbutic.

– In the Philippines, the leaves, peel, and flowers are used as stomachic and antiscorbutic.

– Decoction of rind taken for gas pains. Decoction of peel also used as emmenagogue.

– Leaves are applied to reduce swelling in the legs. Also used as tonic, pectorals and in bronchitis.

– For nausea and fainting, squeeze rind near nostril for irritant inhalation.

– Dried flowers used as stimulant and preventive for dysentery. Flowers used as antispasmodic.

– Orange peel is an ingredient in the preparation of tincture of cinchona and tincture of gentian.

– Dried rind is used as tonic dyspepsia and for general debility; also used to check vomiting.

– Fresh rind is rubbed on the face for acne or eczema.

– Juice used with salt as a ringworm remedy.

– Water distilled from the orange flowers used as stimulant, and as a refreshing drink in nervousness and hysterical cases.

– Used as a stimulant and appetite suppressant

– In traditional Chinese medicine, Zhi shi, the immature dried fruit of citrus aurantium, has been used to treat chest congestion and stimulate gastrointestinal functions. Peel of immature fruit used for indigestion, abdominal pains, constipation, and dysenteric diarrhea.

– Bitter orange seeds or pips, first torrefied to remove the husks, taken as a stimulating remedy.

– Oil from the rind is used internally and externally, as a stimulating liniment, for gout and rheumatism.

– In Mexico and South America, leaf used as tonic, laxative, sedative; peel used for stomach aches and high blood pressure.

– Basque in Europe used the leaves for stomachaches, insomnia and palpitations.

-In India, neroli oil, mixed with vaseline, for leech prevention.

– In recent years, Citrus aurantium supplements has been promoted for appetite control.

– Perfumery: Oil distilled from flowers used in perfumery.

– Orange peel is an ingredient in the preparation of tincture of cinchona and tincture of gentian.

Scientific proven benefits of Sour orange

Thermogenic / Weight Reducing

Since the withdrawal of ephedrine in weight loss formulations, C. aurantium has gained entry as a substitute, and has been reported to aid in weight loss in two studies and increase thermogenesis in three studies. Three studies reported increased metabolic rates when ingesting C. aurantium products, presenting a thermogenic substitute for ephedra.

Antioxidant

Study of a methanolic extract of the CA peel showed good antioxdant activity.

Behavioral Effects

The orange essential oil has been attributed sedative and relaxing properties. In the study in rats, the decrease in level of emotionality in animals suggest a possible central action, in agreement with its phytochemical oil yield of limonene and myrcene components with known CNS depressant activity.

Safety and Efficacy As Weight Loss Supplement

A study on the safety and efficacy of the herbal remedy citrus aurantium for weight loss concludes that there was no evidence it is effective for weight loss.

Cardiovascular Effects

A study investigating the cardiovascular effects of citrus aurantium ingestion, in an herbal blend, on mildly overweight individuals showed that acute ingestion did not lead to increased cardiovascular stress and that fat oxidation increased in certain populations.

Chemopreventive

A study has shown that Citrus aurantium L. possesses chemopreventive properties against human colon cancer cells.

Anthelmintic or antiparasitic

Study evaluated the anthelmintic activity of fresh juice of Citrus aurantium against Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma. All dilutions showed dose-dependent anthelmintic activity.

• Flavonoids / Apoptosis in Human Gastric Cancer Cells

Study evaluated the anticancer effects of flavonoids isolated from C. aurantium against human gastric cancer AGS cells. The flavonoids induced G2/M phase arrest through modulation of cell cycle related proteins and apoptosis through activation caspase. Results suggest a potential agent for chemoprevention of gastric cancer.

Synephrine / Other Ingredients Concerns

Study reports on concerns regarding C. aurantium ingredients in dietary supplements. C. aurantium is marketed as a safe alternative to ephedra in herbal weight loss products. C. aurantium also contains synephrine (oxedrine), structurally similar to epinephrine, which may increase blood pressure. It also contains 6′,7′-dihydroxybergamottin and bergapten, inhibitors of cytochrome P450-3A, that can increase serum levels of many drugs.

• Safety of Citrus aurantium and p-Synephrine

While the potential inherent dangers associated with use of products containing C. aurantium extracts are frequently touted, millions of people consume various juice and food products from Citrus species containing p-synephrine. This study review summarizes information on safety of C. aurantium, and that based on current knowledge, the use of bitter orange extract and p-synephrine appears to be exceedingly safe.

Antispasmodic (used to relieve spasm of involuntary muscle) / Flower Extract

Study investigated the effect of an aqueous extract of flowers on uterine contraction in Wistar rats. Study showed cumulative concentrations of the extract dose-dependently decreased KCl, oxytocin and barium chloride induced uterine contractions. The extract induced antispasmodic effect mainly via calcium influx blockade. Results suggest a potential use of the flowers in the treatment of dysmenorrhea and other uterine spasmodic disorders.

Cytotoxicity / Human Colorectal Cancer Cell Line / Essential Oil

Study investigated the cytotoxic effect of essential oils of Citrus aurantium L. subspamara peels on a colorectal cancer cell line (Lim1863). Results showed limonene and myrcene to be the main components. The essential oil decreased the viability of Lim cell by over 80%. Results suggest a good potential for antitumor effects.

Antimicrobial / Citrus Rind Oil

 Study evaluated essential oil of C. aurantium for antimicrobial activity against various bacteria and fungi. The essential showed significant antimicrobial activity, but the test microorganisms showed different sensitivities, with significant activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella paratyphi.

Anticonvulsant (prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures in various types of epilepsy)/ Flowers

Study evaluated the effect of a hydroalcoholic extract of Citrus flowers on PTZ and maximal electroshock-induced seizures models in mice. Results showed an anticonvulsant effect in PTZ and MES induced seizure models. Effect was attributed to ingredients or synergistic effects of its constituents.

Auricular Acupressure Increase Absorption of Flavanones

A study find that auricular acupressure at some specific acupoints can significantly improve the absorption of naringenin and hesperetin in the extracts form C. aurantium L. in the human body.

Protoalkaloid p-synephrine

Review summarizes published and unpublished studies on C. aurantium and its primary protoalkaloids p-synephrine. p-synephrine alone or in combination with other herbals did not produce adverse events in heart rate, changes in EKG,BP, serum chemistry and urinalysis; it showed increase resting metabolic rate and energy expenditure, and modest increases in weight loss.

Anxiolytic-like (antipanic or antianxiety) Activity / Essential Oil

Study evaluated the biologic activity underlying the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of C. aurantium essential oil. Results showed the anxioytic activity to be mediated by the serotonergic system (5-HT1A receptors).

Dipsogenesis

Study showed C. aurantium can affect the thirst mechanism in rats with effects that are dose-dependent. Further studies on the association of cell signaling pathway related to leptin and Ang II hypothalamic receptors and pharmacology are needed to evaluate its potential in overweight treatment.

Nephroprotective (protects the kidneys from harm)

Study of C. aurantium against gentamicin induced renal damage showed a nephroprotective role which may be due to its flavonoid contents and antioxidant properties.

Blossoms on Preoperative Anxiety

Study assessed the anxiolytic effect of C. aurantium blossom on preoperative anxiety. Results showed Citrus aurantium blossom may be effective in terms of reduction in preoperative anxiety before minor operation. The study results open a window towards introducing herbal medicine for premedication.

• Effect on Paroxetine Induced Hyponatremia ( most common electrolyte disorder)

Study evaluated the effect of Citrus aurantium juice in paroxetine induced hyponatremia in albino mice. Paroxetine induced alterations in serum protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, sodium and potassium were brought back to normal.

Aromatherapy with Oil in First Stage Labor

Aromatherapy is the use of fragrant essential oils to stimulate the olfactory system and can create a state of calmness and help in alleviate anxiety. Study showed that aromatherapy with C. aurantium blossom oil is a simple, inexpensive, noninvasive, and effective intervention to reduce anxiety during labor.

• Aromatherapy Improved Sleep Quality in Heart Patients:

In a study on Coronary Care Unit patients, aromatherapy with C. aurantium had a meaningful effect on the initiating time of sleep, the sleep longevity, and sleep again after a period of being awake. Results suggest the essence of C aurantium can be used as a sleep remedy for sleep disorders in heart patients.

Caution !
Herbal Weight Loss Ingredient / Ephedra Substitute / Synephrine / Risks Since the banning of ephedra-containing weight loss products, products containing C. aurantium have surfaced. C. aurantium contains flavonoids and can increase blood levels of drugs (cyclosporine, felodipine, indinavir) with potential drug interactions and attendant side effects. Some extracts and/ or supplements contain high levels of synephrine which may cause increased heart rate and other signs and symptoms associated with increased metabolism.

How to Open or Cut sour orange

For sour orange juice, simply cut the fruit in half and squeeze the fruit. If a commercial juicer is on hand, slice away the rind of the whole fruit using a sharp paring knife, and then drop the fruit in the processor.

Because there are so many medicinal benefits in the rind, use a citrus rinder to make small fine shreds of the peel. Use in baked goods recipes or even atop salads. Or, cut the rind into fine, match stick-sized pieces for the purposes of candying the peel.

Storage tips

Keep sour oranges at room temperature, as they will retain their juiciness best when kept out cool climates. They will keep for two to three weeks. If willing to put in a bit more effort, individually wrap the fruits in newspaper and place in a cardboard box. Store the box in a low-humidity refrigerator with a temperature nearing 40F. These will keep for six to eight weeks. While the fruits will not tolerate freezing, it’s possible to freeze the juice as ice cubes and use as needed. They will keep for six months. Store orange oil in dark-colored glass away from direct sunlight. Keep in a cool location.

Sour orange recipe ideas and uses
-Dried flowers is a pleasant flavoring agent.

– Peel used for making marmalades and candies.

– Flowers used for scenting tea.

– Essential oil from the dried fruit used as food flavoring.

– Fruit rind used for baking flavors.

– In Iran, the orange peel used as flavoring for boiled rice and other vegetables.

– Fruit is used for making sauces, creams, jelly, honey, etc.

-Make sour orange salad dressing by including the juice with some olive oil, sesame seeds, soy sauce and coconut oil.

-Instead of making lemonaid, substitute the lemons for sour orange.

-Add sour orange juice to sweet breadpancake and cupcake batter.

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