COMMON NAME: Orange, Bitter, Seville Orange, Sour Orange, Bigarade

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Citrus aurantium, C. vulgaris, C. bigaradia

FAMILY NAME: Rutaceae (Rue)

INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: China

COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: West Indies

HISTORY INFORMATION: The bitter orange was considered by the Trojans to be the golden apple. Crusaders from Europe brought the fruit to Europe and finally made its way to England in the 16th century. The West Indians used the bitter orange to make a liqueur called Curacao. Early missionaries brought the fruit to California.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Bitter orange is smaller than the sweet orange and as the name implies bitter to eat, but smells sweeter than the sweet orange. This oil is either produced by cold press or steam distilling the peel. This oil is considered to be less of a skin irritant. Another oil is produced that is terpeneless, and the aroma is much stronger in this oil, although it is no longer a whole oil. It is the limonene in the oil that is considered to cause the skin irritation and it increases as the oil ages. The courmarins cause the phototoxicity.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: An evergreen tree growing to 33ft high with dark green, glossy, oval leaves bearing white flower producing green fruit ripening to yellow.

PARTS PROCESSED: Fresh or nearly fresh peels. By products of the orange juice manufacturing

PROCESSING METHODS: Cold pressed. Steam distilled

COLOR RANGE: Yellow to dark orange.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Class: Monoterpene. Limonene, myrcene, camphene, pinene, linalool, geranyl acetate, coumarins

PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Antibacterial, anticoagulant, antidepressant, antiemetic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antipyorrhea, antiscorbutic, antispasmodic, antistress, antitoxic, antitussive, antiviral, aperitif, aperitive, astringent, calmative, cholagogue, choleretic, depurative, digestive, disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hemostatic, hepatic, hypotensor, hypnotic, laxative, nervine, refreshing, sedative, stimulant, stomachic, tonic, vasoconstrictor, and vulnerary. Used for dull and oily complexion, mouth ulcers, obesity (water retention), bronchitis, chills, constipation, dyspepsia, colds, flu, nervous tension, and stress. Used to cool, purify, reduce cellulite, calm, promote restful sleep, uplift moods, improve mental clarity and alertness, calm angry and irritable children, and to relieve spasms.

MENTAL USES: Clearing, mind more alert and focused, regulates the nervous system, balances mind and soul.

EMOTIONAL USES: Stressed, anxious, cold, detached, blaming TO calm, relieved, responsible for own actions, refreshed.

SPIRITUAL USES: Can indicate you have been under considerable stress and may not be ill, but feel that you could be. It is time to relax and have some peaceful moments with your spirit. Bitter Orange harmonizes mind, body, and soul. It especially heals the etheric body of damage which enables the body to strengthen and prevent illness.

APPLICATIONS: Aroma lamp, bath, cooking, diffusor, inhaler, light bulb ring, liquid candle, massage, mist spray, perfume.

WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: Nontoxic, older old can irritant the skin, phototoxic more likely with pressed oil.