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This page contains information on bitter orange (Seville) and how it is used as a herb in alternative herbal treatments to treat ailments and problems, such as skin elasticity, digestive problems and prolapsed anus and uterus.
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Please note that we are not advocating that people stop using their normal medication, but would like to make people aware that some alternative therapies can be very effective to help treat problems and create a healthier, younger and more vital you. For more information on our range of products, please click here.
Although we believe in the therapeutic and healing properties of herbs, care must be taken in the use thereof, as they are powerful compounds.
Family |
Rutaceae |
Genus and specie |
Citrus aurantium |
Bitter orange. Neroli oil is produced from the flowers and Petitgrain oil from the leaves and twigs.
The Seville orange tree has ovate leaves with fragrant white blossoms, followed by the oranges, which have an aromatic rind and an acidic inside.
The leaves, stems, flowers, fruits and peel are used.
It is a bitter, diuretic herb with aromatic, expectorant, carminative and diuretic properties, which is helpful to lower blood pressure and improve digestion. The peel has choleretic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal activity. Its anti-hyper cholesterolemic property helps to prevent increased cholesterol levels.
- Internal use
- Bitter orange is used internally to treat heartburn as well as flatulent indigestion and diarrhea.
- The peel can be used to boost the appetite and for dyspeptic complaints.
- The unripe fruit is used in Chinese medicine (zhi shi) for flatulence and bloating.
- External use
- The non-bitter flavonoids contained in the peel have good venotonic properties, and are used in cosmetics to prevent capillary fragility.
- In cosmetics, bitter orange extract is included in many cellulite treatments, where it acts by regularizing the situation in the affected area and stimulating cutaneous tone.
- It is used externally in aromatherapy and different parts of the tree are used to extract the oil, as these contain different properties
- Neroli essential oil is obtained from the flowers.
- Petitgrain essential oil is extracted from the foliage and twigs.
- Bergamot essential oil is extracted from the peel.
- Aromatherapy and essential oil use
- Neroli (flower oil)
- Neroli essential oil will calm and lift the spirits, fighting anxiety, depression and shock.
- It is great to relieve muscle spasms and diarrhea. It is also used as an aphrodisiac and assists in premenstrual tension.
- On the skin it is most useful in treating broken capillaries and veins under the skin's surface, improving elasticity, while stimulating cellular activity and new cell growth.
- It has antidepressant, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, aphrodisiac, bactericide, carminative, cordial, cytophylactic, deodorant, digestive, emollient, sedative and tonic properties.
- Petitgrain (leaves and twig oil)
- Petitgrain essential oil will help to calm anger and reduce panic. It has a relaxing effect on the nervous system and helps to calm a racing heart and relax muscles.
- On the skin it has a toning effect and helps to clear pimples and skin blemishes.
- It has antidepressant, antispasmodic, deodorant and sedative properties.
- Bergamot (peel oil)
- Bergamot essential oil is great to help with depression, SAD (Seasonal Affected Disorder) or a general feeling of being just a bit off, lacking in self-confidence or feeling shy. It also has superb antiseptic qualities that are useful for skin complaints, such as acne, oily skin conditions, eczema and psoriasis and can also be used on cold sores, chicken pox and wounds.
- It has a powerful effect on stimulating the liver, stomach and spleen and has a superb antiseptic effect on urinary tract infections and inflammations, such as cystitis.
- The therapeutic properties of bergamot oil include analgesic, antidepressant, antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-spasmodic, stomachic, calmative, cicatrisant, deodorant, digestive, febrifuge, vermifuge and vulnerary.
Bergamot oil can cause burns when used on a sensitive skin which is then exposed to sunlight, as the high content of bergaptene can cause photo-toxicity. It is advisable to keep out of the sun if this oil is used on the skin.
Petitgrain and neroli essential oil can be very relaxing, so take care when a clear head is needed.
To promote the interest and use of herbs and natural complementary health alternatives, we have included information on the following herbs.
Please note - although we discuss a wide variety of herbs, not all of them are used or sold by us.
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You are as young as your faith, as old as your fear and as long as your heart receives messages of beauty, cheer,
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