Properties:

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, carminative, digestive stimulant, expectorant, bitter tonic

Dosage:

2-5 grams daily of dried peel (or as a decoction, infusion, or tincture). (Break for at least 2 weeks after 12 weeks of continuous daily usage).

Benefits:

Supports healthy digestion, relieves gas, bloating, and sluggish digestion, and helps clear respiratory congestion. Rich in bioflavonoids (such as hesperidin and naringin) and volatile oils that provide robust antioxidant protection and support healthy capillary and cardiovascular function.

Hormonal Benefits:

Supports liver clearance and metabolic pathways that help process and eliminate excess systemic metabolic waste, while bioflavonoids help modulate inflammatory pathways related to menstrual discomfort.

Avoid if:

You have acute gastritis, severe stomach or intestinal ulcers, or a known allergy to citrus fruits. (Note: If using commercially, ensure the fruit is organically grown and thoroughly washed to avoid residual pesticide exposure on the rind).

Cautions:

Avoid large therapeutic doses if pregnant or breastfeeding (culinary amounts in food or drinks are safe, but concentrated medicinal extracts lack sufficient safety data). Can occasionally cause acid reflux or heartburn in individuals sensitive to citrus.

You should also be cautious if you are taking any of the following:

Cytochrome P450 liver substrates (citrus bioflavonoids can inhibit certain liver enzymes like CYP3A4, potentially altering the breakdown of medications such as statins, calcium channel blockers, or certain anti-anxiety drugs), or Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs.

References

American Botanical Council (ABC). (2000). Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Integrative Medicine Communications.

British Herbal Medicine Association (BHMA). (1996). British Herbal Compendium: Volume 1. BHMA.

European Medicines Agency (EMA). (2015). European Union herbal monograph on Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck, pericarpium. EMA/HMPC/716172/2014.

Health Canada. (2025). Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID): Citrus sinensis (Sweet Orange). Government of Canada.

Mills, S., & Bone, K. (2005). The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Churchill Livingstone.

World Health Organization (WHO). (2007). WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants (Volume 4). World Health Organization.