Seville Orange

Identity

Common Name

Seville Orange

Scientific Name

Citrus aurantium

Botanical Family

Rutaceae

Native Region

Southeast Asia

Cultivation Regions

Mediterranean, Asia, warm temperate regions

Plant Parts Used

Peel, Flowers (neroli), Leaves

Synonyms

Bitter Orange, Sour Orange, Zhi Shi

Caffeine Level

Caffeine Free (but synephrine is stimulant)

An evergreen tree with glossy ovate leaves, fragrant white orange-blossom flowers, and a round bumpy orange fruit; the leaves, flowers (neroli), and peel are used.

Historical Background

Seville (bitter) orange has been a Mediterranean and Asian treasure for centuries, its sour fruit prized for marmalade, its fragrant blossom distilled into neroli, and its leaves and peel brewed into a bitter digestive tea. Traditional Chinese practice uses the immature fruit (zhi shi) for digestion.

Earliest recorded uses: Mediterranean and Asian traditions for centuries; a bitter orange for peel, blossom (neroli), and leaf.

Traditional Uses

These uses document historical traditions and do not imply proven effectiveness.

Flavor & Aroma

Aroma: Citrus, bitter-orange, floral, slightly spicy

Tea Information

Research Summary

Seville orange has a tradition as a bitter digestive, and its blossom (neroli) as a calming aroma; the peel contains synephrine, a stimulant with cardiovascular concerns at high doses. Clinical evidence is mixed; it is not a treatment for obesity, indigestion, anxiety, or any disease, and stimulant-containing products warrant caution.

Evidence levels reflect the currently available scientific literature and may change as new research emerges. Where evidence is limited or conflicting, this is stated plainly.

References & Sources