Citrus nobilis

Botanical

What is it

Citrus nobilis is the botanical name often associated with the mandarin orange (also called tangor or king mandarin), a citrus fruit grown across Asia and the Mediterranean. The peel and fruit are used in foods and traditional herbal preparations.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

General antioxidant intake

Mixed Evidence

Mandarin and Citrus nobilis are sources of flavonoids and vitamin C that contribute to overall antioxidant intake. Specific clinical outcomes for Citrus nobilis extracts are not well established.

How it works

Like other citrus species, Citrus nobilis contains flavonoids (such as hesperidin, nobiletin, and tangeretin), vitamin C, and essential oil components like limonene. Polymethoxyflavones from mandarin peel have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in laboratory and animal studies. In traditional Chinese medicine, dried mature mandarin peel (Chen Pi) has been used for digestive complaints. Modern human clinical data on standardized Citrus nobilis extracts is limited.

Dosage

There is no established dose. Peel extracts are typically used at a few hundred milligrams per day in supplements; standardization (e.g., to nobiletin) varies widely.

When and how to take it

No specific timing. Can be consumed as fruit, tea, or extract with or without food.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Dried peel

Used as Chen Pi in traditional Chinese medicine.

Polyphenols and oils released into hot water or alcohol

Standardized peel extract

May be standardized to nobiletin or tangeretin content.

Concentrates polymethoxyflavones

Safety

Citrus nobilis fruit is generally considered safe as food. Peel extracts have a long history of culinary and traditional use. Strong essential oil preparations can irritate skin and should not be ingested undiluted.

Who should be cautious

Avoid citrus allergens if sensitive. Pregnancy and breastfeeding: dietary amounts are fine; concentrated extracts have limited safety data.

Interactions

Some citrus species (notably grapefruit) inhibit CYP3A4 and affect drug metabolism. Mandarin and Citrus nobilis appear to have less of this effect, but high-potency extracts could theoretically influence drug metabolism.

Food sources

Mandarin orange fruit

Amount
1 medium fruit
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Is Citrus nobilis the same as a regular orange?⌄

It's closely related but typically refers to mandarins or king mandarins, not sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis).

Does Citrus nobilis cause grapefruit-like drug interactions?⌄

Probably much less than grapefruit, but concentrated peel extracts have not been fully characterized for drug interactions.

References

Citrus nobilis on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Citrus nobilis on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Citrus nobilis (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.