Hesperidin

Table of Contents

Other names

Citrus Bioflavonoid Hesperidin
Micronized Hesperidin
Hesperidin Complex

Synopsis

Hesperidin is a bioflavonoid glycoside primarily found in citrus fruits, especially in the peels of oranges, lemons, and tangerines. It is classified as a flavanone, and its aglycone (active) form is hesperetin, which is produced during digestion. Hesperidin is valued for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vascular-protective, and lipid-modulating effects. It is often combined with diosmin in supplements designed to support circulation and capillary health.

One of hesperidin’s key roles is in supporting venous integrity and microcirculation, making it useful in treating chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, leg swelling, and bruising. It strengthens blood vessel walls, reduces capillary permeability, and helps prevent fluid leakage into surrounding tissues. Hesperidin may also help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, and improve endothelial function, contributing to cardiovascular protection.

Beyond vascular health, hesperidin has shown potential in neuroprotection, immune modulation, and anti-allergy support, with research indicating benefits for cognitive performance, anxiety reduction, and inflammation control.

Hesperidin is commonly consumed through citrus-rich diets, as well as in standardized supplements, often paired with vitamin C to enhance absorption and synergistic antioxidant activity.

Historical Use
While isolated hesperidin was first identified in the early 19th century, its medicinal value is deeply rooted in the traditional use of citrus peels across multiple healing systems. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dried citrus peel (Chen Pi) has been used for thousands of years to regulate Qi, reduce bloating, support digestion, and clear phlegm. Though the mechanisms were not understood at the time, these actions align with hesperidin’s known anti-inflammatory and circulatory effects.

In European folk medicine, citrus peel infusions were historically used to treat poor digestion, sluggish circulation, and colds, often as part of bitter aperitifs or digestive tonics. The synergy between citrus bioflavonoids and vitamin C was first proposed by Nobel laureate Albert Szent-Györgyi, who believed these compounds (once called “vitamin P”) played an essential role in capillary integrity and vascular health.

Today, hesperidin is widely used in phytomedicine and integrative cardiovascular care, appreciated for its ability to strengthen blood vessels, combat oxidative stress, and support vascular resilience, making it a modern mainstay with roots in traditional citrus medicine.

Uses: Health Conditions

None

Body Systems

Arteries (Traditional)
Capillaries (Traditional)
Circulatory System (Traditional)
Immune System (Traditional)
Mitochondria (Traditional)