BITTER ORANGES: SLIMMING AND THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES

Bitter orange , also called bitter orange, has many therapeutic and slimming properties. Being a citrus fruit, it has all the properties and active ingredients of all the others, such as vitamins A, PP and C, fucocoumarins, limonene and bergaptene. However, compared to other citrus fruits, it has additional properties that make it indispensable in some therapeutic and slimming treatments: these are active ingredients such as linalool, synephrine and linalyl acetate. Let's find out in detail what the beneficial properties of bitter oranges are and how to make the most of both the slimming and therapeutic ones.

BITTER ORANGE: SLIMMING PROPERTIES.

The slimming power of bitter orange is due to synephrine, a substance that increases thermogenesis and burns fat. Synephrine is usually isolated and used in the preparation of weight loss supplements, however, according to some studies, its effectiveness is complete when it acts together with all the other principles contained in bitter orange. To have a little extra help in weight loss, just drink some good bitter orange juice or consume the citrus fruit once a day. Bitter orange also extracts a very precious essential oil that, if rubbed on the affected areas, helps to combat the blemishes of cellulite. To have slimming effects and reduce cellulite, just massage the critical areas with bitter orange essential oil mixed with olive oil.

BITTER ORANGE: THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES.

The properties of bitter orange do not end here: in addition to the slimming ones, there are therapeutic properties, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor or digestive.

Let's find out more about them:

Relaxing properties : in this case you need the essential oil, very often used in aromatherapy to relieve anxiety, nervous tension and depression.
Digestive properties : for those who have difficulty digesting it is very useful to drink an infusion of bitter orange peels. The intense flavor of the peels helps the taste buds to promote salivary and gastric secretions. In addition, vitamin C increases acidity contributing to the improvement of digestion.
Anti-inflammatory properties : thanks to the linalool contained in the peel, bitter orange is excellent for joint and muscle pain, or to relieve the pain of insect bites. To treat the affected areas, simply use bitter orange essential oil or dab with cotton pads soaked in bitter orange peel infusion.
Psoriasis treatment : thanks to vitamin PP, bitter orange essential oil is also useful for treating the parts of the skin affected by psoriasis. In this way, the dryness of the skin is reduced and its tissues are repaired.
Antitumor properties : According to some studies, limonene (generally contained in citrus fruits) has antitumor properties. In fact, it activates liver enzymes that render carcinogenic substances harmless.

BITTER ORANGE: CONTRAINDICATIONS

While on the one hand we have several benefits, on the other hand we must also consider the contraindications of bitter orange. In fact, not everyone can consume this citrus fruit: due to the presence of synephrine (useful for those who want to lose weight, as we have seen), the intake of bitter orange could cause the activation of the sympathetic nerves, therefore tachycardia and hypertension. Therefore, bitter oranges are not recommended for those who suffer from high blood pressure, heart problems and in cases of hyperthyroidism. Due to its ability to stimulate gastric secretion, however, bitter orange is also not recommended for those who have stomach problems, such as gastritis and ulcers. Finally, we must also pay attention to the essential oil: once applied, you must not expose yourself to the sun, as limonene is a photosensitizer, therefore it could cause redness, burning and itching.