Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUses of LimoneneSafetyInteractionsDosageSources & What to Look ForFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses of Limonene
Safety
Interactions
Dosage
Sources & What to Look For
Frequently Asked Questions
Limonene,a terpene abundant in the peels and essential oils of citrus fruits,may contain anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other beneficial properties. However, scientific evidence supporting its use in treatingulcerative colitis(UC), viral illnesses,cancer, and other conditions is lacking.
Commonly used for its lemony fragrance in soaps, shampoos, and other health and cosmetic items. limonene also acts as a flavoring agent in many food products.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Getty Images / Capelle.r
What Is Limonene Used For?
Aside from its household uses, limonene may have some health benefits.
Research on limonene has increased in recent years. However, most studies on limonene’s health benefits have been performed on animals or in lab settings. Very few human studies exist, which means there is still much to learn about how limonene may work in different people.
Through research, it’s become apparent that limonene has several properties that may benefit human health. Some of these are outlined below.
Dill: Edible Parts and Medicinal Benefits
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity
As a terpene, limonene contains chemical substances with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.Anti-inflammatory substances can help reduceinflammationin the body, while antioxidants help prevent and reduce cell damage.
Due to these properties, limonene has been looked into for its possible effects on health conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases. In vitro research shows that limonene’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities may protect your brain from damage and certain diseases.
In an animal study, limonene was found to reduce inflammation in a rat withulcerative colitis. Limonene supplementation was associated with decreases in both inflammatory biomarkers and intestinal damage in the rats with UC due to limonene’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.
It’s important that more research be carried out in this area,however. Human trials are necessary to learn how limonene supplementation may reduce inflammation and prevent cell damage in humans.
Anticancer Potential
Some people with cancer choose to use various dietary supplements as complementary treatments tochemotherapy, radiation, and othercancer treatments. Limonene has been studied for its potential anticancer properties.
According to one review, limonene has been found to alter signaling pathways, increase cancer cell death, and inhibit metastasis in severalin vitro (outside of a living organism) and in vivo (animal)studies.
In animal studies, limonene has been shown to reduce factors liketumorsize and the number of tumors. This has led some researchers to believe that limonene may increase survival in rodents with cancer.However, it’s unknown if these results would be duplicated in humans.
A small number of human studies on limonene’s role inbreast cancerhave been conducted. In these studies, limonene supplementation has yet to be found to produce significant benefits in humans with cancer. For the most part, though, human studies on this subject have been very small and of poor design, so more research is needed.
Antiviral Properties
There is some evidence that limonene may have a role in the treatment of viruses like theflu, COVID-19, and herpesvirus.
A laboratory study found that both L- and D-limonene act as a disinfectant against influenza A virus H1N1. Limonene was found to be the major component in the essential oil from orange peels and responsible for the antiviral properties displayed in the study.
Other lab research has suggested that limonene has antiviral properties againstCOVID-19, although much more research is needed.
Limonene has also been found to have a potential role in treating humanherpesvirus. In an in vivo study, limonene was shown to directly inhibit herpesvirus. Limonene was most effective when added to cells just before herpes virus infection.
Research on the role of limonene as an antiviral agent is in the very early stages. More research must be conducted to determine if limonene can in fact treat or prevent any viruses in humans.
Heart Protection
Animal experiments have revealed a potential role of limonene in heart health.
In one study, rats with induced cardiac (heart) toxicity received varying doses of oral limonene for three weeks. Compared to control groups, rats who received 200 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg) of limonene had significant improvements in altered totalcholesterol,triglycerides,low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, andhigh-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Limonene supplementation was also found to reverse changes in inflammatory markers and, thus, cardiac toxicity risk.
In another animal study, researchers inducedmyocardial infarctions(heart attacks) in rats. The rats then took limonene at a dose of 1 mg/kg 30 minutes after the induced heart attacks. Limonene was found to reduce the size and intensity of possible heart injuries in the rats.
Despite these positive findings, it is essential that more research be conducted, especially in humans, to determine if limonene does indeed have a role in heart health.
Safety Considerations
Limonene is generally regarded as safe to use in cosmetics, cleaning products, and dietary supplements. It is also thought to have a low risk of toxicity.However, there is an overall lack of safety information available for limonene, mostly due to the lack of human trials.
There have been some reports of side effects associated with limonene use in a small number of studies on people with cancer. According to the research, possible side effects of limonene include:
Skin irritation has also been reported as a result of using topical limonene.
While limonene may be safe for most people, some may need to avoid it.
At this time, there isn’t enough research on the safety of limonene in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or in children.
One animal study concluded that limonene supplementation may increase contractions of the uterus during pregnancy, but this hasn’t been confirmed in humans.While limonene in amounts found in foods may be safe, it’s recommended that people who are pregnant or breastfeeding avoid using limonene supplements.
Other people may need to avoid using limonene. It’s best to talk with a healthcare provider before starting a new supplement, especially if you have any health conditions or use any prescription medications.
Limonene supplements may interact with other supplements or medications. Interactions may cause a medication or supplement to increase or decrease its effectiveness, which can be dangerous in some cases.
However, there is no solid evidence of possible interactions between limonene and other supplements, medications, herbs, or foods.
Regardless, interactions may still exist, and more research should be done to find possible interactions for limonene.
Until more research is available, talk with a healthcare provider and disclose all the medications, supplements, and herbs you take to learn if any may interact.
Dosage: How Much Limonene Should I Take?
Limonene dosage can vary and may depend on the product or the reason for use. Due to the limited available research, there isn’t a consensus on safe and proper dosage for limonene supplements.
It may be necessary to start with a low dose of limonene and slowly work your way up to the recommended dose. Doing so may reduce your risk of experiencing side effects when using limonene for the first time.
Sources of Limonene & What to Look For
You can consume limonene through foods or supplements.
While some foods contain natural sources of limonene, others are flavored with it. However, foods tend to contain much smaller amounts of limonene than supplements.
Food Sources
Limonene is a chemical naturally found in the rinds of fruits from the citrus family. These fruits include oranges, lemons, and limes. Essential oils taken from the rinds of these fruits also contain limonene.
Due to its pleasant smell and taste, limonene is also sometimes added to fruit juices, candies, chewing gums, drinks, and ice creams.
Because it is not widely found in foods, many people choose to use limonene in supplement form.
Limonene Supplements
Like most dietary supplements, limonene supplements can be purchased online or in certain stores, including grocery stores and some retail chains.
Limonene supplements are commonly sold as soft gels, capsules, and liquid extracts. You can find supplements that contain only limonene, but some supplements contain limonene in addition to other substances (like nutrients, herbs, and essential oils).
Limonene is naturallyveganandgluten-free.Keep in mind, though, that some supplement capsules are made from gelatin, which is not a vegan product. Certain products that contain limonene may also be organic.
Summary
Limonene is a chemical substance found in the peels and essential oils of citrus fruits. They may offer health benefits. However, most of the available research on limonene has been performed in labs or on animal subjects. It is essential that more human trials be conducted to prove the health claims surrounding limonene.
If you’re thinking of using limonene supplements, talk with a healthcare provider about how to safely get started.
Limonene has not been shown to directly reduceestrogen. However, one of its metabolites, perillyl alcohol, has been found to suppress the growth of tumors in estrogen-receptor breast cancer cells in laboratory research.Overall, there is no strong evidence that limonene or its metabolites reduce estrogen levels.
Limonene has not been shown to directly reduceestrogen. However, one of its metabolites, perillyl alcohol, has been found to suppress the growth of tumors in estrogen-receptor breast cancer cells in laboratory research.
Overall, there is no strong evidence that limonene or its metabolites reduce estrogen levels.
Limonene may not be safe for everyone to take.
People with certain health conditions or who take prescription medications may also need to avoid limonene. Play it safe and talk with a healthcare provider before using limonene.
Although the terms “limonene” and “D-limonene” are often used interchangeably, there are two forms of limonene: D-limonene and L-limonene. These forms are considered enantiomers, meaning they have the same chemical structures but as mirror images and cannot be superimposed. D-limonene is the form most often used in supplements and foods.
No. There is no evidence that limonene is acarcinogen. In fact, the opposite may be true. Research points to limonene as a substance with potential anticancer properties. Although more studies are needed, some results have shown an insignificant positive effect of limonene on tumor progression and growth in certain breast cancers.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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