Also known as bitter orange, Seville orange, zhi chi, and chongcao, citrus aurantium is 
a member of citrus trees and its fruits and leaves have been used for medicinal and athletic purposes. The peels of bitter orange contain synephrine, octopamine, tyramine, hordenine, N-methyltyramine, volatile oils, and carotenoids.
a member of citrus trees and its fruits and leaves have been used for medicinal and athletic purposes. The peels of bitter orange contain synephrine, octopamine, tyramine, hordenine, N-methyltyramine, volatile oils, and carotenoids.Synephrine has the effects similar to that of ephedrine. It is a mild stimulant that has gotten a lot of attention in the world of sports nutrition. Synephrine mainly stimulates Beta-3 receptors that are responsible for lipolysis and thermogenesis.
Athletic Benefits of Citrus Aurantium:
Since ephedrine has been banned in sports, synephrine – containing citrus aurantium may be a good alternative. The potential athletic benefits are as follows:- May improve athletic performance by acting as a mild stimulant.
- Promotes mental clarity.
- Helps promote athletic agility.
- Useful in weight loss by decreasing appetite and increasing basal metabolic rate (BMR).
Non – Athletic Benefits of Citrus Aurantium:
Citrus aurantium may be beneficial in the following conditions:
- Gastrointestinal discomforts, such indigestion, constipation, and abdominal pain.
- Insomnia.
- Weight management.
- Loss of appetite.
Citrus Aurantium Triple Paradox:
Depending on whether you take extracts of the leaves or peels of the immature or mature fruits, citrus aurantium shows three paradox effects:- It may increase appetite, while it could suppress appetite due to a high amount of pectin.
- It acts as a mild stimulant, while it has been used as a sedative in insomnia as well.
- While some has used it for high blood pressure, it actually increases blood pressure.
Dosage and Interactions:
Citrus aurantium is available as “bitter orange extract” containing 2 – 6% synephrine. The recommended dosage is 200 – 400 mg of the extract. Similar to grapefruit, citrus aurantium interacts with the medications that are metabolized by the enzyme complex called cytochrome P450.Contraindications:
Citrus aurantium should be avoided in the following conditions:- People with high blood pressure.
- People with depression who take the medications MAO inhibitors. Citrus aurantium contains tyramine that interacts with MAO inhibitors, leading to hypertensive crisis (a sudden increase in blood pressure).
- Heart diseases.
- Along with statins, the cholesterol – lowering medications.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Raynaud`s phenomenon.
- Peripheral artery disease.
- Diabetic vascular involvement.
