Healing Properties of the Orange Tree

Citrus Orange Plant Profile and its Medicinal Uses

Dec 20, 2008

The orange tree has many healing properties; there are different species of citrus orange, although medicinal uses of the differing oranges are similar.

There is often confusion between the sweet orange tree (Citrus sinensis) and the bitter orange tree (Citrus aurantium); the bitter orange tree is the more versatile of the two trees, producing three different essential oils. However, the sweet orange tree also has healing properties within its fruit. Orange trees need a minimum temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit to grow successfully; they also need plenty of sun, well-drained soil and plenty of water through the growing season.

The Differences Between Sweet Orange and Bitter Orange

Both species of orange trees are members of the Rutaceae plant family; the bitter orange tree is an evergreen tree which grows up to 33 feet in height. It has dark green, glossy leaves, with sharp spines, fragrant white flowers and small fruit. The sweet orange tree is smaller than the bitter orange tree but with larger fruit; it has few spines and is not as hardy as the bitter orange tree.

Essential Oils Produced by the Orange Tree

The bitter orange tree produces three different essential oils which are used in aromatherapy; bitter orange oil from the fruit of the tree, Petitgrain oil from the leaves of the tree and orange blossom (or Neroli) oil from the flowers of the tree. The sweet orange tree produces one essential oil from the fruit of the tree.

Origin and Cultivation of the Orange Tree

Both varieties of orange trees originated in the Far East but are now found growing abundantly in the Mediterranean region. It is thought that the ancient Moorish people brought the orange tree to Spain, from where it spread to the New World. It was the first citrus species to be brought to Europe. The tree has been known by many different names in many languages; the Italians originally called it portogallo, taken from the Portuguese, a name which was used also by the Arabs and the Greeks.

The Germans called the fruit of the orange tree Apfelsine (Chinese apple); Paracelsus called it pomerancia, a combination of the Latin pomum (apple) and an Italian name arancia (orange). France introduced orangeries to enable the growing of orange trees in a colder climate; King Louis XIV was responsible for popularizing the orange in France and many orangeries began to appear throughout the country, in addition to the appearance of the orange in paintings, garden sculptures and jewelery.

Healing Properties of the Orange Tree

The fruit of the sweet orange tree contains vitamins A, B and C, in addition to potassium. In Chinese medicine, the dried orange peel is used to treat coughs and colds; however, traditional Chinese medicine consider oranges as a source of internal heat, which may aggravate skin conditions such as eczema. The Chinese also advise pregnant women against eating the fruit to lessen hyperactivity in the baby; in the West, it is thought that hyperactivity in children may be aggravated by oranges.

The fruit of the bitter orange is also high in vitamin C. In Chinese medicine, dried bitter orange is used to treat diarrhea and prolapse of the uterus. An essential oil of the bitter orange fruit is obtained by cold expression of the outer peel of the ripe fruit.

The essential oil of both orange trees are used in the treatment of skin care, water retention, bronchitis, constipation, colds, flu and nervous conditions. Healing properties of orange are anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, anti-depressant, sedative and a tonic. Essential oil of orange is obtained by cold expression of the ripe outer peel of the fruit.

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The copyright of the article Healing Properties of the Orange Tree in Medicinal Plants is owned by Sharon Falsetto. Permission to republish Healing Properties of the Orange Tree in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.