MEDICINAL PLANTS

The bitter orange tree is a tree that can measure from 3 to 5 feet high from India and China and arrived in Europe long before the sweet orange was introduced by the first Arab North Africa and later in Spain (approximately in the fifteenth century). It is an evergreen tree, with leaves elliptic-lanceolate. It has three essential qualities: a beautiful foliage, a fragrant white flower that is orange, and a tasty fruit, orange. It breeds in coastal gardens also beautify parks and promenades. The bitter variety is much more fragrant and used in pharmacy fresh variety.

FLOWERING

The orange flowers in spring. Are used for medicinal purposes, leaves, flowers and bark of the fruit. The leaves are harvested in spring, directly from the tree and dried as quickly as possible, keeping them away from light and moisture, the flowers are collected when they are newly opened or unopened and are dried carefully. On the bark of the fruit, you get peeling the same and proceeded to dry in airy place.

APPLICATIONS

In essence the leaves are called "petitgrain, which is more abundant in young oranges. The flowers are another essence called neroli "as well as other compounds, and in the cortex appear favoroides, other essences," curacao ", various alcohols, mineral salts, pectin, citric and ascorbic acid. The essence of bitter orange has an antispasmodic action, slightly sedative and hiprótica. The flavonoids confer a protective vitamin P action and preventive capillary bleeding. For its part, the presence of a bitter principle, the limonene, orange gives a tonic effect, eupeptic appetizer and, lastly, the pectin has antidiarrheal properties and reducing cholesterol. For all of this is indicated in cases of anorexia, upset stomach, anxiety, insomnia, nervous cough, varicose veins, phlebitis, capillary fragility and diarrhea. It is important to remember to be careful and cautious when using essences, possible side effects that may result when therapeutic doses are exceeded.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion: In a cup of boiling water put 2 g of orange leaves, strained and sweetened before drinking. Very useful against nervous excitement and sleep disorders. You can also make tea with the flowers, putting the same amount, 2 g in a cup. They take 2 to 3 cups a day.
Fluid extract. 30 drops of the extract three times daily.
Essence. If this is the pure essence, not administer more than 3 drops per shot, 3 times a day.
Curaçao Liqueur. 50 g bitter orange peel, 1 g of cinnamon, clove and 1 g of alcohol 500 grams of high alcohol content. Flavorings are macerated in alcohol for 8 days, after which the filtered liquid add 1 / 2 kg of sugar and water to the mixture is smooth, stirring the liquid once daily and weekly filtered and bottled. It is recommended not to abuse this liqueur.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Rutaceae
HABITAT: Orchards of the coast
FLOWERING: Spring
PART USED: Leaves, flowers and bark of tree
CASTILIAN: Naranjero agrio
CATALAN: Taronger agre
BASQUE: Larango
GALICIAN: Laranxeira aceda

USES

Tonic Moderate, Appetizer Moderate, Mild sedative.