Bitter orange has long been used in different parts of the world for a variety of uses. Its leaf was used as a laxative in Latin American,
and its peel for stomach aches in China.
The peel of the bitter orange contains a volatile oil, along with alkaloids synephrine, octopamine, and N-methyltyramine. Synephrine
is somewhat similar to ephedrine and has been banned from use in athletic leagues like the NCAA and some supplements have also been banned in
various countries.
