| Most Common Name: | Orange | | Botanical
Name: | Citrus Aurantium, Citrus Vulgaris | | Also
Known As (other names): | Bitter Orange, Sweet Orange,
Seville Orange, |
Orange - General description: Orange was first mentioned
in ancient Arab writing. Today Oranges are cultivated world wide. The
entire Orange fruit is used in Herbal medicines although most extracts are from
either the peel or the peeled fruit. Orange juice is very high in Vitamin C.
Orange
Properties, or Orange use in treatment of: | | Antibacterial | Antifungal | Anti-inflammatory | | Bronchitis | Tonic | |
Orange
Constituents: | | Below we list
reported constituents of this herb. This may not be complete as continuous
research constantly discovers new constituents. Where possible we also provide
information about constituents and their application, effect and side effects,
if any. We do not provide information on the interaction between constituents.
We do not give quantities of each individual constituent as these vary
considerably due to region and climate. By comparing the treatments above with
the constituent benefits below some indication of quantities can be gained. | | Flower:
A Volatile Oil - See Neroli Essential Oil Peel:
A Volatile oil |
Hesperidin: One of the Flavanoids, Hesperidin is effective in
reducing permeability of blood vessels and are used in the treatment of vascular
disorders.
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Flavonoids: Flavonoids occur (as white and yellow plant pigments
found almost as commonly as chlorophyll) as Glycosides or in a free state. In
plants it is essential for protecting plant tissue from UV radiation and acts as
antioxidants. As pigments it is also responsible for Autumn colors in leaves and
yellow/red pigmentation in flowers. Laboratory experiments have been
conducted on the beneficiary effect of Flavonoids on the heart and circulatory
system. Flavonoids are also used to mitigate stress, especially environmental
stress. Flavonoids are often used for their antioxidant effect against free
radicals. There are also strong indications that they have antiviral,
anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties but dosage has not been
determined which will obviously have a profound effect on their efficacy as a
component of this herb. |
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Aldehydes: Aldehydes are a class of highly reactive chemical
compounds that are intermediate between acids and alcohols, containing less
hydrogen than alcohols and less oxygen than acids.
Aldehydes are mostly irritants and can cause skin
irritation in even when diluted. Monoterpene Aldehydes are geranial,
citronellal, citral (which is responsible for the sharp distinctive citric
smell) while Cyclic Aldehydes are also known as aromatic Aldehydes have far more
cloying and sweet smells like Cinnamic Aldehyde and Benzaldehyde, which are
Cyclic Aldehydes, widely used in the perfume industry.
If ingested aldehydes are very irritant to the gastrointestinal tract, causing
nausea and diarrhoea.
For further detail see specific aldehydes:
Geranial
Citronellal
Neral
Citral
Cinnamic Aldehyde
Benzaldehyde |
Limonene: Limonene has been studied for the anti-tumour effect
noticed in mice. Herbalists often prescribe herbs with this constituent as an
antioxidant and cancer or tumour inhibitor although there is evidence that these
properties are volatile and may be lost as a result of processing of the herb.
Limonene also has antiviral properties. | |
Bergapten: has photosensitising properties and is often used in
conjunction with solar radiation to treat psoriasis. Bergapten causes
photosensitivity which is frequently used therapeutically against skin
conditions like psoriasis and vitiligo where the patient is exposed to the sun as part of the
treatment.
Use of bergapten on normal skin will also cause photosensitivity so exposure
to solar radiation (the sun) must be avoided while using medications that
contain this constituent. Bergapten is a
Linear Furanocoumarin.
Although it is generally held of all Furanocoumarins that
they may be carcinogenic during exposure to the sun or other sources of UV light
Bergapten is frequently mentioned as a potential photo carcinogenic, so please
consult your medical practitioner before using substances that contain
Bergapten.
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Furanocoumarins: Furanocoumarins have sun- or
photosensitizing properties and are often used for the treatment of skin
conditions sometimes with controlled exposure to the sun.
Other effects of Furanocoumarins reportedly are: hypotensive activity,
antiasmatic and antispasmodic.
Furanocoumarins are potentially photo-carcinogenic and may promote a cancer that
is initiated by interference with the skins natural ability to protect
underlying cells against the carcinogenic effect of harmful ultra violet
radiation.
Furanocoumarins are Coumarins with a furan ring
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Coumarins: Coumarins are lactones of hydroxycinnamic
acids. Coumarins are lactones. There are many variations of coumarins: Furanocoumarins found in Angelica have a
spasmolitic effect but must be used with caution as they have a strong
phototoxic effect as has many of the Furanocoumarins (Warfarin a blood thinning
drug but also virulent rat poison, is a coumarin derivative). In general
coumarins have antifungal, hypotensive, anticoagulant and antimicrobial properties.
Many of the Coumarins are phototoxic and skin sensitising.
Lactones: A lactone is an Ester that's
functional group has become part of a ring structure with carbon atoms.
Lactones are widely present in the plant kingdom and many are expectorants and
febrifuges. |
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Orange
Contraindications, do not use if: | | | | | | | | | | We
at Beneforce are certainly not experts in the use of every herb. In our studies
and research we do come across warnings that a herb should not be used in
certain circumstances or for certain conditions and ailments. Where possible we
will reflect these on our pages but cannot guarantee that for any herb our list
of contraindications are complete or valid. We urge that you consult an
appropriate and knowledgeable practitioner before treatment. |
Orange
is Administered as/Available in: | | | | | | | | |
* Statements made
have not been evaluated by American Food and Drug Authority or similar board
or authority of any other country.
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You must consult your healthcare practitioner or doctor before commencing
any dietary change, taking or ceasing to take any medication, starting or
stopping a treatment of any suspected or diagnosed medical condition or self
improvement plan. |
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