1. Description

1.1 What is sweet orange?

The sweet orange (botanical name: Citrus × sinensis, also known as Citrus sinensis, Chinese Pinyin: Tian Cheng, Simplified Chinese: 甜橙), is a species of small, evergreen, flowering, fruit bearing tree in genus Citrus in the rue family, Rutaceae. The flowers are white, 5cm wide, with 5 petals. The edible fruit is medium in size between 6-10 cm in diameter with yellow to orange skin. The plant can grow up to 10 m tall. Native to southern China and extensively cultivated in Europe, America, Africa and Australia, habitats of sweet orange include mountainous regions, orchards, hill lands and valley (usually from between 0 to 1,500 meters in elevation). Characteristics of sweet orange include favorable micronutrient contents and ability to withstand cultivation at high altitudes.

Other simplified Chinese names for sweet orange include: 黄果, 橙子, 金球, 金橙, 鹄壳, 金毯.

1.2 How does sweet orange taste?

Sweet orange has a succulent, meaty and fibrous texture with a flavor that is sweet, sour and vibrant.

1.3 How is sweet orange used in traditional Chinese medicine?

The fruit of sweet orange is considered to have pungent, sweet and mildly warm properties and to be associated with the liver and stomach meridians. It is used as lump resolver, dealcoholic medicine and mammotrophic drug in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as caked breasts (or galactostasis).

1.4 How do I tell if my sweet oranges are ripe?

Ripe oranges should be heavy with a sweet smell, a thin, smooth skin and no soft spots.

2. Uses, Health Benefits of Sweet Oranges & Medical Formulas

2.1 Vitamin C and Heart Health

A Danish study that followed more than 100,000 people found those with the highest intake of fruits and vegetables had a 15 percent lower risk of developing heart disease and a 20 percent lower risk of early death compared with those with the lowest intakes. The study revealed that those with the highest plasma vitamin C levels had significantly reduced rates of heart disease and all-cause mortality (mercola.com 2015). Therefore, eating sweet oranges which are rich in Vitamin C helps to keep away cardiovascular diseases and contribute to better heart health.

2.2 Anti-Cancer

Hesperidin, a flavonoid derived from citrus fruits exhibits various biological effects including anticancer activity. Hesperidin inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7-GFP-Tubulin human breast cancer cells, probably not through an antimitotic mechanism. Hesperidin also inhibited both basal and testosterone-induced proliferation of LNCaP prostate cancer cells. This can be concluded that sweet orange is a good choice as part of the anti-cancer diet plan.

2.3 Collagen And Skin Health

Collagen is the most abundant protein in human bodies, especially type 1 collagen. It’s found in muscles, bones, skin, blood vessels, digestive system as well as tendons. It’s what provides our skin strength and elasticity, together with replacing the dead skin cells (draxe.com 2017). Early research shows that taking 500 mg of BioCell Collagen by mouth twice daily for 12 weeks improves skin dryness and reduces lines and wrinkles in women with visible signs of aging skin (webmd.com 2016). Since hesperidin in sweet oranges works together with vitamin C to support healthy collagen formation, sweet oranges is helpful in keeping healthy and young skin.

2.4 Reduce The Occurrence of Asthma Attacks

Asthma is a common problem and affects more than 10 million people across the world. Medically, it is a respiratory condition marked by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing. It usually results from an allergic reaction or other forms of hypersensitivity. Orange is a rich source of Vitamin c which is known to effectively reduce the occurrence of asthma attacks.

2.5 Galactostasis

[CTM Formula] Dried sweet oranges is powdered and taken orally to treat caked breasts (or galactostasis) with hard lumps.

The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.

The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.

Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.

List of reference

draxe.com 2017 What is Collagen? 7 Ways Collagen Can Boost Your Health [online] link: https://draxe.com/what-is-collagen/

mercola.com 2015 Adequate Vitamin C Linked to Lower Risk for Heart Disease and Early Death [online] link: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/08/03/vitamin-c-heart-disease.aspx

webmd.com 2016 Find a Vitamin or Supplement BIOCELL COLLAGEN [online] link: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1273-biocell%20collagen.aspx?activeingredientid=1273