Overview
Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) is a fruit that contains large amounts of vitamin C. People commonly eat its fruit and drink its juice.
Sweet orange contains large amounts of potassium, which might help prevent high blood pressure and stroke. The fruit and juice also contain large amounts of a chemical called citrate, which might help prevent kidney stones. Citrate tends to bind with calcium before it can form a stone.
People use sweet orange for asthma, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, the common cold, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Sweet orange juice and fruit is likely safe for most adults when used in normal food amounts. There isn’t enough reliable information to know if sweet orange peel is safe or what the side effects might be.
When inhaled: Sweet orange essential oil is possibly safe when used in aromatherapy.
Special Precautions and Warnings
When taken by mouth: Sweet orange juice and fruit is likely safe for most adults when used in normal food amounts. There isn’t enough reliable information to know if sweet orange peel is safe or what the side effects might be.
When inhaled: Sweet orange essential oil is possibly safe when used in aromatherapy. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Sweet orange is likely safe when used in food amounts. There isn’t enough reliable information to know if sweet orange is safe to use as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to amounts commonly consumed as food.
Children: Sweet orange juice or fruit is likely safe when consumed in normal food amounts. But taking large amounts of sweet orange peel is possibly unsafe. It can cause colic, convulsions, or death.
Dosing
People commonly eat sweet orange fruit and drink sweet orange juice. Sweet orange essential oil from the peel is commonly inhaled in aromatherapy. There isn’t enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of sweet orange as a supplement might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.