BOTANICAL NAME Citrus aurantium

The Bitter Orange Tree is an evergreen that grows up to 10m high with glossy dark green leaves and fragrant white flowers. The essential oil is produced by cold pressing of the peel. The Bitter Orange is native to southern China and North-Eastern India. Both the Bitter Orange and Edible Orange trees bear a great resemblance to each other, but their leaf stalks show a noticeable difference. The Bitter Orange is much broader in the shape of a heart.

SCENT:Orange Bitter Essential oil has a very sweet citrus smell characteristic of sweet orange, while also carrying some of the bitterness of grapefruit.

STRENGTH OF AROMA:Medium

PLANT PART:Peel

EXTRACTION METHOD: Cold Press

ORIGIN: Italy

COLOUR: Yellow Orange

CONSISTENCY: Thin

NOTE: Top

USES:

The bitter orange has properties very similar to the sweet orange. They include the following properties: antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, carminative, cordial, deodorant, digestive, stimulant (nervous), tonic (cardiac, circulatory). Orange Bitter essential may be used in the same way as oil of turpentine in chronic bronchitis. It is non-irritant to the kidneys and pleasant to take. It has also been applied to combat Colds, constipation, dull skin, flatulence, the flu, gums, slow digestion, and stress.

BLENDS WELL WITH

Lavender, Lemon, Clary Sage, Myrrh and Spicy oils such as Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Clove.

HISTORY:

There is some argument, but it is believed that Bitter Orange was brought to Europe by the Arabs in the First century along with the Sweet Orange.

CAUTIONS:Generally non toxic, non irritant, non sensitizing.