Because limonene has strong scents and flavors, it is used in various ways.
Limonene is a naturally occurring essential oil most commonly found in the peels of citrus fruits such as oranges or lemons and is responsible for the distinctive smell and taste of these citrus fruits.
Limonene oil is extracted from the peels of oranges and other citrus fruits to make medicine and is used in perfumes and deodorants, beverages such as tea, and essential oil-infused supplements.
Studies have linked limonene to several health benefits including promoting weight loss, preventing cancer, and treating bronchitis.
Consumption of limonene is a successful alternative in the treatment of several diseases, triggering beneficial biological effects in clinical and preclinical studies, and seems to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and heart-disease-fighting properties.
What is limonene?
Limonene, also known as terpene, is a chemical found in the peels of citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, mandarin, grapefruit, and oranges.
Because limonene has strong scents and flavors, it is used in various ways, such as:
- In food products: As a flavoring agent in beverages and chewing gum
- In pharmaceuticals: Added to help medicinal ointments and creams penetrate the skin
- In manufacturing industries: As a fragrance, cleaner (solvent), and an ingredient in water-free hand cleansers
What is limonene used for?
Limonene is used in a range of products, including food, cosmetics, and eco-friendly pesticides.
- Limonene is used as an additive in foods such as sodas, desserts, and candies to provide a lemony flavor.
- Limonene has long been used as a naturally occurring, holistic treatment that is used to treat various health ailments and issues such as gallstones, stomach, and digestive problems, weight loss, issues related to inflammation, anxiety, and even cancer prevention.
- Creams infused with limonene are shown to be incredibly effective in inflamed and irritated tissues on the skin’s surface. Research shows that creams that use high doses of limonene are effective for contact dermatitis, exposure to skin-irritating substances, and other skin issues.
- It is one of the most frequent fragrances used in cosmetics formulations.
- It is used as a botanical insecticide and eco-friendly insect repellent due to its strong aromatic property.
- Some household products containing this compound include soaps, shampoos, lotions, perfumes, laundry detergents, and air fresheners.
- It is used as an aromatic oil for calming, stress-reducing, and therapeutic purposes.
5 potential health benefits of limonene
Five potential health benefits of limonene include:
- Reduces inflammation (anti-inflammatory):
- Some studies report that limonene may help reduce the number of factors connected to chronic inflammation, thus lowering the risk of certain conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and certain types of cancer.
- Animal and in vitro studies have reported that limonene reduces nitric oxide production, a signaling molecule that plays a key role in inflammatory pathways.
- Has an antioxidant effect:
- Early trials suggest that limonene acts as an antioxidant in the body, absorbing and removing damaging free radicals and unstable molecules before they can injure cells.
- Moreover, dietary limonene may help lower the risk of signs of aging by reducing the amount of oxidative stress on the body.
- Has an anticancer effect:
- Research studies on rodents suggested that supplementing with limonene inhibited the growth of skin tumors by preventing inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Early research shows that limonene is linked to cancer-killing and tumor growth-inhibiting properties, especially in breast cancer.
- Improves heart health:
- Laboratory studies suggest that consuming limonene lowers the risk of heart diseases by reducing triglycerides, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
- It promotes an increase in good cholesterol levels and is connected to a lower risk of atherosclerosis and coronary events.
- Decreases stress and anxiety:
- Early research on rats and mice indicated that limonene oil use in aromatherapy is linked to alleviating stress and anxiety.
Health News
- ADHD Patients Could Face Disrupted Access to Meds Following Fraud Case
- New Form of Psychotherapy Might Help Ease Chronic Pain
- Studies Suggest New Treatment Target for Spinal Cord Injury
- FDA Tells Vaccine Makers to Target New COVID Variant for Fall
- Diphtheria-Like Germ Can Be Passed Between People and Pets
- More Health News »
Are there any side effects of limonene?
Although limonene offers several health benefits and may improve the body’s overall function, taking limonene supplements in very high doses does carry some risks, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Skin irritation
Moreover, the effects of limonene supplements on pregnant or breastfeeding women have not been studied.
Although there are no signs that consuming limonene in the amount naturally found in food causes any problems, pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult with their physician before taking supplements to avoid unknown problems.
What is the safe and effective dose of limonene?
Limonene is listed in the Code of Federal Regulations as generally recognized as safe for a flavoring agent, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognizes limonene as a safe food additive and flavoring agent.
Existing studies on limonene report that a dose of two grams of limonene per day can safely be consumed by most adults.
Supplements contain dosages of 250 to 1,000 mg (capsules) and 0.05 mL per serving (liquids), which is considered safe.
Supplements are not necessary if you consume an adequate amount of the nutrient by adding more citrus fruits, juices, and zests to your diet.
Medically Reviewed on 8/11/2022
References
Image Source: iStock image
Dan Brennan Are There Health Benefits to Taking Limonene? WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-limonene
Limonene: Aroma of innovation in health and disease Chem Biol Interact: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29427589/#:~:text=The%20therapeutic%20effects%20of%20limonene,other%20beneficial%20effects%20in%20health.
