In some parts of the world, bitter orange is used in cooking and consumed as a food.
However, many people find this small citrus fruit to be much too bitter to eat.
Because it appears to help suppress the appetite, bitter orange is a common ingredient in
weight loss pills. In fact, it is commonly used as an
ephedra replacement in weight loss supplements, since ephedra has been banned for safety concerns. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that bitter orange is any less dangerous than ephedra.
Bitter orange is available in a variety of forms. For example, in addition to cooking with it, people may take bitter orange in the form of pills or extracts, and may also apply it to the skin for
cold sores, fungal infections, or other conditions. At this time, however, no studies have been conducted on its safety and effectiveness.
(For more information on possible uses and important safety issues to keep in mind, click Bitter Orange.)
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