ORANGE BLOSSOM

Citrus aurantium

Plant family: Rutaceae (Citrus family)

Part used: flower

Taste: bitter, sweet, aromatic

Historical commentary: Oranges have long been used as a source of food and medicine; most often, the peel is used; the flower oil was originally used for its pleasant fragrance and was later adopted to use as a sedative and digestive aid.

EFFECTS

Sedative: for nervous tension and insomnia.

Digestive aid: Relieves gas and bloating (carminative), improves appetite and alleviates gastric insufficiency and distress (stomachic), alleviates constipation (aperient).

Modern findings: Orange blossom has antiseptic properties.

Dosage: 1.5 grams; lesser amounts are adequate for digestive effects, larger amounts for sedative effects.

Active constituents: The essential oils are the main active constituent, and orange flower oil is sometimes used as a replacement for the whole flower. The oil contains pinenes, neryl acetate, farnesol, geraniol, linalool, nerolidol, linalyl acetate, methyl anthranilate and indole.

Cautions: none known.

Künzle Formulas: Tea for Tension, Tea for Sleep.