What is citrus aurantium?
Citrus aurantium, also known as bitter melon or bitter orange, is widely used in Chinese medicine to stimulate gastrointestinal function and treat lung congestion. Although it acts as a sympathatomimetic (adrenergic amine), citrus aurantium is not the same as ephedra or ma huang, but an entirely different plant. The active component, isolated as synephrine, stimulates the beta-3 receptor sites which regulate lipolysis (the breakdown of fats) and has a minimal effect on heart rate and the central nervous system.
