Bitter Orange: What It Is and Why It’s in Our Patches

We understand as well as anyone that transparency is important when it comes to product ingredients. OnMi was founded on the principle that people deserve clear answers from the companies whose products they purchase, especially when it comes to something as vital as personal health. We’re eager to explain why we select each of the ingredients in our patches and how they can potentially benefit you in your day-to-day life. 

Bitter orange is one of those ingredients, and it just so happens to be in our Healthy Weight Patch. Keep reading to learn about the origins of this fruit, the potential health benefits and side effects of bitter orange, and why we chose to include it in our transdermal patches.

Bitter Orange: What is it?

Dietary and health decisions should always start with research, so we’d like to clear the air with a deep dive into all things bitter orange. Citrus aurantium, commonly referred to as Seville orange or bitter orange, is a plant thought to have originated in Southeast Asia, although the bitter orange tree is also indigenous to the Arabian peninsula and East Africa. Known for its fragrant, bright white flowers and (surprise) bitter taste, Citrus aurantium began to spread westward and eventually became popular in the Mediterranean region around 1,000 years ago. The fruit became especially favored in Spain, hence the nomenclature “Seville” orange—a nod to the Spanish city of Sevilla. Today, bitter orange is commonly cultivated in Spain, Italy, and parts of North America.

Bitter orange is safe to eat, but (as the name suggests) is extremely sour on its own and is typically utilized as a flavoring and acidifying agent in food and drink. Bitter oranges are oblong in shape and possess notably thick, dimpled skin that turns a red-orange color when ripe. The peel of the fruit is frequently used in citrus marmalades and other similar food toppings. 

Outside of its utility in cooking, bitter orange has been used medicinally for centuries. The fruit is a staple in traditional Chinese medicine as a remedy for nausea, indigestion, and constipation. In Western culture, bitter orange has been used to treat anxiety and epilepsy, among other conditions. Today, you can find it listed as an ingredient in many essential oils and weight loss supplements.

Uses and Health Benefits of Bitter Orange

Scientists are still studying the potential benefits of bitter orange. Taken both orally and applied topically, the fruit does have a number of purported health advantages. 

As we mentioned before, the peel of bitter orange and its extracts have been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a treatment for indigestion, nausea, and constipation. Various bitter orange products are also advertised as treatments for heartburn, nasal congestion, weight loss, and (ironically) both appetite suppression and stimulation. In a topical form, bitter orange has been applied to the skin to suppress pain, inflammation, fungal infections, and bedsores. 

According to research from Purdue University, bitter orange is a good source of a variety of nutrients, including:

• Vitamin A
• Calcium
• Fiber
• Phosphorous
• Riboflavin
• Thiamine

In addition to being relatively nutritious, bitter orange is low-calorie and low-fat, making it a formidable option for people looking to maintain a healthy weight and diet.

Bitter orange is commonly used in modern weight-loss formulas because it contains p-synephrine, a compound similar to ephedrine. Bitter orange has become increasingly popular over the last 20 years since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the use of ephedrine in dietary supplements due to concerns over it causing high blood pressure.

Potential Side Effects of Using Bitter Orange

Despite its similar structure to ephedrine, bitter orange is widely considered safe to use in controlled amounts similar to the levels it can be found in foods. Only when bitter orange is combined with certain substances is it considered potentially unsafe. In particular, there have been concerns that bitter orange can cause high blood pressure and related complications when taken with stimulants such as caffeine. That being said, studies that suggest this involved subjects who were taking dietary supplements containing a multitude of other active ingredients. In short, there is no conclusive evidence that bitter orange had adverse effects on blood pressure since the ingredient has not been studied in an isolated form.

In addition to the concerns over blood pressure, some people have reported headaches and migraine after ingesting bitter orange. These effects tend to vary from person to person. Bitter orange can also increase sensitivity to the sun, so it is suggested to wear sunscreen when outside, especially if you have fair skin.

When it comes to bitter orange in your OnMi patch, you can rest assured that our scientifically formulated patches are completely safe. We only use a small amount (which is all we need) of bitter orange in our Healthy Weight Patch. Additionally, our products are applied transdermally (to the skin) rather than ingested orally, making them as safe as possible!

Who Should Try Bitter Orange and Who Shouldn’t?

Depending on who you are, bitter orange could be worth trying out for its health benefits. Always consult your doctor first if you have any reservations about adding any sort of supplement to your routine. If you are young and in general good health, you don’t have much to worry about when it comes to bitter orange. Due to the need for further research, we would suggest taking a more cautious approach to products containing bitter orange if you:

• Have high blood pressure
• Have glaucoma
• Have an irregular heartbeat
• Are currently taking a decongestant
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding

Try Bitter Orange With OnMi

If you’re looking for a natural solution to maintaining a healthy weight, bitter orange is certainly an option worth exploring. Luckily for you, our Healthy Weight Patch contains bitter orange as one of its main ingredients. Use it in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise and you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results.

Our transdermal patches are the clear choice for health and wellness. By delivering nutrients directly through the skin, our patches will help you bid farewell to swallowing those dreaded pill supplements. Apply your OnMi patch daily and wear it for 12-24 hours for the best results. Consistency is key! All of our patches are gluten-free, hypoallergenic, and 100% natural—the way they should be.

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on all things OnMi, your clear choice for personal wellness.