Exploring the miracles toward the Ethnobotany of Citrus aurantium L. (Rutaceae) in Iran (hitherto unknown uses of the plant), alongside an overview worldwide

Abstract

Background: Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium, Rutaceae) is extensively cultivated and known in Iran for its feeding and medicinal uses. However, its ethnobotanical knowledge has not yet been fully understood in Iran. To shed further light on the local knowledge of bitter orange within Iranian communities, and to summarize the worldwide pharmacological and traditional uses of C. aurantium based on a large number of works, we aim to carry out a comprehensive study of the historical and contemporary medicinal uses of this herb.

Methods: To unravel the indigenous knowledge of the bitter orange, data was systematically collected in the region. Semi-structured and electronic interviews were performed using 100 participants of dissimilar age, education, gender, and occupation. We also compiled extensive data regarding published papers, libraries, and online databases such as Elsevier, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Springer, Taylor and Francis, Web of Science, and Wiley Online Library within Iran and the world.

Results: The majority of Iranian respondents were included in the 20-30 and 30-40 age groups, representing the appropriate transmission of herbal medicine knowledge among young people. Various uses of bitter orange were listed, of which the most frequently recorded ailment was the treatment of psychological disease. Flowers were the most frequently used part of the plant. Overall, C. aurantium comprises significant chemicals such as carotenoids, essential oils, flavonoids, terpenoids, and is mainly reputed for its beneficial health roles.

Conclusions: This study reviews and presents comprehensive information on C. aurantium and its outstanding and novel traditional uses, together with its pharmacological properties and bioactive constituents.

Keywords: Bitter orange; Ethnobotany; Herbal medicine; Iran; pharmacological use