Bitter Orange

The fruit of the Bitter Orange tree – the bitter of Seville orange – cannot be eaten. However, in herbal medicine it is one of the finest plants with a particular strong scent.

The bitter orange is a small tree originally found in India which is now cultivated around the Mediterranean. Uses are found for the leave, the bloom and the fruit peel.

The leaves are harvested when the tree is pruned. Dried leaves are used in infusions. The flowers are picked as soon as they open and are also dried and used to make orange blossom water and to make the essence of Bitter Orange Neroli.

The peel is used to make essence of bitter orange. Bitter orange infusions help stimulate a slow digestive process and calm nerves thanks to their sedative effect with their bitter principles in the plant such as the leave limonine.