Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Chinese and Mediterranean herbal practices. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the dried immature fruit (known as Zhi Shi or Zhi Ke) is used to regulate "Qi" and is believed to stimulate the digestive system, thereby improving poor appetite (deficient appetite). The traditional rationale is that bitter orange acts as a digestive tonic that can help relieve symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and lack of hunger, often attributed to "Qi stagnation" in TCM theory. There is, however, limited modern scientific research specifically investigating the efficacy of bitter orange for appetite stimulation in humans. Most contemporary studies focus on its use as a weight loss aid or its safety profile due to the presence of synephrine, a compound structurally similar to ephedrine. While animal and cell-based studies suggest some gastrointestinal motility effects, these findings have not been robustly translated into clinical evidence for treating deficient appetite. Thus, the use of bitter orange for appetite support is primarily justified by historical and traditional usage rather than by high-quality scientific validation.

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