Tell me about...
Bitter Orange Peel (zhi qiao/zhi shi)
What is bitter orange peel? What
is it used for?
Bitter orange peel is the dried outer peel of the highly
acidic Seville orange, which is grown and cultivated in Spain,
Italy and parts of the U.S. The peel has been found to exhibit
cholerectic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal
properties.
In traditional Chinese medicine, two separate preparations
are made using bitter orange peel. Zhi qiao is prepared
from the dried peel of a green, immature orange, while zhi
shi is prepared from dried fruit. Both forms are used
in TCM to treat indigestion and toxic or anaphylactic shock.
Bitter orange tinctures and extracts are primarily used as
tonics. In Great Britain, bitter orange peel is used to treat
heartburn and reduce muscle spasms. It is also thought to
facilitate weight gain by stimulating the appetite; however,
research into this area remains somewhat controversial. In
addition, some studies have found that bitter orange oil may
cure certain fungal infections.
How much bitter orange peel should
I take?
The German Commission E recommends 4-6 grams of cut peel
per day, which can be used in a tea. Some practitioners recommend
taking 1-2 grams of a fluid extract or 2-3 grams of a bitter
orange tincture.
What forms of bitter orange peel
are available?
Prolonged use of bitter orange peel may lead some people
to become highly sensitive to sunlight, especially in fair-skinned
individuals. In addition, it should not be used by women during
pregnancy or lactation. As of this writing, there are no known
drug interactions with bitter orange peel.
What can happen if I take too much
bitter orange peel? Are there any interactions I should
be aware of? What precautions should I take?
Prolonged use of bitter orange peel may lead some people
to become highly sensitive to sunlight, especially in fair-skinned
individuals. In addition, it should not be used by women during
pregnancy or lactation. As of this writing, there are no known
drug interactions with bitter orange peel.
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References
- Bown D. Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their
Uses. New York: DK Publishing, 1995, pp. 262-63.
- Huang KC. The Pharmacology of Chinese
Herbs. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 1993.
- Pei DK. Dissolution of tetained biliary
stones with a compound prescription of orange peel emulsion
— a clinical analysis of 134 cases. Chung His I
Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 1985;5(10):578, 591-94.
- Ramadan W, Mourad B, Ibrahim F, et al.
Oil of bitter orange: new topical antifungal agent. Int
J Dermatol 1996;35(6):448-49.
- Tang W, Eisenbrand G. Chinese Drugs
of Plant Origin: Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Use in Traditional
and Modern Medicine. New York: Springer Verlag, 1992.
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