Last update Feb. 22, 2026

Bitter Orange

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

The fruit, flowers, leaves and seeds of the tree are used. It contains essential oil (limonene), flavonoids (naringin), citric acid and various sympathomimetic agents (synephrine, octopamine and methyl-tyramine) that behave as adrenergic agonists (Fugh 2004). Properties attributed without clinical evidence: appetite stimulant, digestive aid, sedative and weight loss aid (Fitoterapia.net). Oral administration and topical administration in the form of patches of unproven usefulness.

At the time of the last update, we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

Synephrine and octopamine are similar to pseudoephedrine, which can decrease milk production. (Aljazaf 2003)

Ascorbic acid from citrus products passes into breast milk, increasing the levels of ascorbic acid in breast milk, especially in women who are deficient in ascorbic acid. (Daneel 2005)

Due to the synephrine content of products sold as slimming aids, which have caused serious adverse cardiovascular effects (Smith 2014, Thomas 2009, Sultan 2006, Gange 2006, Nykamp 2004), moderate use is recommended in general, and even more so during breastfeeding.

Synephrine consumption of less than 100 mg per day has not caused cardiovascular or other side effects (Bonetti 2022, Shara 2016). Products containing more than 30 mg of synephrine per day should not be consumed and should never be mixed with caffeine or medications (such as some cold remedies) containing pseudoephedrine or derivatives. (Health Canada Guidelines 2010)


See below the information of this related product:

  • Pseudoephedrine (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

Bitter Orange is also known as


Bitter Orange in other languages or writings:

Groups

Bitter Orange belongs to these groups or families:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Bitter Orange in its composition:

List of 6 tradenames
  • Agua del Carmen™. Contains other elements than Bitter Orange in its composition
  • Bittner™. Contains other elements than Bitter Orange in its composition
  • Lipomin (Липомин)™. Contains other elements than Bitter Orange in its composition
  • Parches de GLP-1 (patches)™. Contains other elements than Bitter Orange in its composition
  • Pervivo™. Contains other elements than Bitter Orange in its composition
  • Sedonat™. Contains other elements than Bitter Orange in its composition

References

  1. Fitoterapia.net. Vanaclocha B, Cañigueral S. Fitoterapia.net. 1992 - - Disponible en: https://www.fitoterapia.net. Consulted on March 12, 2025 Abstract
  2. Bonetti G, Herbst KL, Donato K, Dhuli K, Kiani AK, Aquilanti B, Velluti V, Matera G, Iaconelli A, Bertelli M. Dietary supplements for obesity. J Prev Med Hyg. 2022 Oct 17;63(2 Suppl 3):E160-E168. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  3. Shara M, Stohs SJ, Mukattash TL. Cardiovascular Safety of Oral p-Synephrine (Bitter Orange) in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Cross-over Clinical Trial. Phytother Res. 2016 Abstract
  4. Smith TB, Staub BA, Natarajan GM, Lasorda DM, Poornima IG. Acute myocardial infarction associated with dietary supplements containing 1,3-dimethylamylamine and Citrus aurantium. Tex Heart Inst J. 2014 Abstract
  5. Health Canada Guidelines for the use of Synephrine in Natural Health products 2010 Full text (in our servers)
  6. Thomas JE, Munir JA, McIntyre PZ, Ferguson MA. STEMI in a 24-year-old man after use of a synephrine-containing dietary supplement: a case report and review of the literature. Tex Heart Inst J. 2009 Abstract
  7. Sultan S, Spector J, Mitchell RM. Ischemic colitis associated with use of a bitter orange-containing dietary weight-loss supplement. Mayo Clin Proc. 2006 Abstract
  8. Gange CA, Madias C, Felix-Getzik EM, Weintraub AR, Estes NA 3rd. Variant angina associated with bitter orange in a dietary supplement. Mayo Clin Proc. 2006 Abstract
  9. Daneel-Otterbech S, Davidsson L, Hurrell R. Ascorbic acid supplementation and regular consumption of fresh orange juice increase the ascorbic acid content of human milk: studies in European and African lactating women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 May;81(5):1088-93. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  10. Fugh-Berman A, Myers A. Citrus aurantium, an ingredient of dietary supplements marketed for weight loss: current status of clinical and basic research. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2004 Abstract
  11. Nykamp DL, Fackih MN, Compton AL. Possible association of acute lateral-wall myocardial infarction and bitter orange supplement. Ann Pharmacother. 2004 Abstract
  12. Aljazaf K, Hale TW, Ilett KF, Hartmann PE, Mitoulas LR, Kristensen JH, Hackett LP. Pseudoephedrine: effects on milk production in women and estimation of infant exposure via breastmilk. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2003 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)

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