Benefits of Limonene Adaptogen

What is Limonene?

Limonene is a naturally occurring cyclic monoterpene. It is colorless and a significant component of the essential oils of the peels of citrus fruits. Limonene possesses a sweet fragrance that smells like lemon-orange. For its scent, it is used as a flavor in food manufacturing industries and cosmetics. Limonene also serves as a solvent and is used in producing cleaning agents.

Origin of Limonene

Limonene is a widely distributed terpene that is prevalent and easy to come by. By just peeling an orange, you can get exposed to limonene. It implies that limonene is obtained from essential oils extracted from the peels of oranges and other citrus fruits. Hence, limonene can be obtained from lemon, lime, grape, etc. However, limonene can also be found in the resin of conifers.

Uses of Limonene

Limonene is another popular, naturally occurring essential oil that is used in several ways. Some of these uses are listed below:

1. Limonene is used in the production of household products and cosmetics. Examples of such products include lotions, shampoos, perfumes, and air fresheners.

2. Limonene can act as a solvent; it is used in producing cleaning products such as soaps and laundry detergents primarily used at home and in offices.

3. Limonene is used as an additive to add lemony flavor in foods such as candies, sodas, chewing gum, and desserts.

4. Limonene possesses a strong aroma that makes it used as a botanical insecticide. It is part of the active ingredients used in manufacturing pesticides that repel insects, causing no harm to man and his environment.

4. Limonene is used in healthcare for manufacturing medicine in either capsules or liquid form.

5. Limonene is also used to manufacture ointments and creams that can penetrate the skin and cause a calming effect on the body.

Health Benefits of Limonene and why myAir bars contain it

Limonene is a terpene and naturally occurring oil that possesses many benefits that can tackle various health issues. Some of the health benefits of limonene are considered below.

1. Limonene can help to dissolve gallstones

Limonene can act as a solvent, and for this reason, doctors employ the use of limonene to dissolve cholesterol-containing gallstones. After doctors performed surgery on some gallstone patients, they infused 20 mL limonene into the patients, dissolving their painful clumps.

Limonene can dissolve gallstones, which according to studies, is due to its solvent property.

2. Limonene possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that protect the stomach

Limonene can coat the stomach lining and the large intestine to enhance a healthy digestive tract. During one study, 50-100mg of limonene was administered to rats with ulcerative colitis (UC). Ulcerative colitis is a condition in which there is inflammation in the large intestine. The results obtained showed an increase in the antioxidant levels. At the same time, there was a significant reduction in colonic mucosa damage and the disease's activity because of the anti-inflammatory effects that limonene had on the stomach.

Limonene can protect the stomach and the large intestine from damage because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

3. Limonene can help in the reduction of gastroesophageal reflux and heartburn

Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occur majorly because of the excessive acid produced by the stomach; excessive acid seeps into the esophagus when the valve between the esophagus and the stomach refuses to close. However, limonene helps to solve such stomach issues. Limonene provides a coating to the esophagus, helping to neutralize the stomach acid. Limonene also helps in the body's peristalsis (the waves in the intestines and stomach that move contents downward instead of going up) to reduce GERD, thereby increasing gastric mucus production to promote the healing of the gut.

Limonene is very potent at solving stomach issues, thereby giving the stomach good health—limonene grants this health by coating the esophagus, which helps to neutralize the stomach acid.

4. Limonene can be used as a supplement to reduce skin inflammation

Many people have been seeking alternatives for the painkillers prescribed by doctors to treat severe psoriatic arthritis cases over the years. However, studies reveal that limonene can help in soothing aches and burning skin by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine responsible for some dermatitis symptoms, yet improving the healing of wounds.

Limonene can help to reduce inflammation of the skin, according to studies carried out.

5. Limonene can help in the relief of metabolic disorders and may enhance weight loss

There is an increased rate of diabetics, stroke, and heart diseases whenever there are metabolic disorders in the body. These disorders are accompanied by abnormal cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar level, and excessive body fat. A study was carried out in which scientists fed on high-fat diets and administered limonene. The result showed a decrease in their blood sugar level and blood pressure because of the administered limonene. Another study showed that using limonene as a supplement reversed the adverse effects of a high-fat diet on the functioning of the liver and the pancreas.

Limonene is very potent in relieving metabolic disorders and as well enhancing weight loss.

6. Limonene can help to reduce stress and anxiety

Stress occurs as a result of accelerated aging and many inflammatory diseases. Stress can trigger the release of cortisol, a hormone in the brain capable of disrupting the parasympathetic nervous system; throw off sleep cycles, resulting in pains. Doctors made some rats go through non-pathological stress and then divided them into a control group. Perillyl alcohol was administered to a group, while limonene of about 10 mg/kg was administered to another group. The results showed that the rats that were administered limonene displayed fewer signs of stress and had a better activity performance than those that perillyl alcohol was administered. However, further studies also showed that inhaling limonene can reduce anxiety, therefore valuable for aromatherapy.

From studies, it has been proven that even mere inhaling limonene is capable of easing anxiety. Limonene is very beneficial in the reduction of stress and anxiety.

Conclusion

Limonene is very useful and employed in producing many products such as cosmetics, food, pesticides, etc. It is also made into supplement forms in capsules or liquids to help fight against infections and diseases, thereby boosting and enhancing good health. Good news - myAir bars are packed with Limonene!

Footnotes

Limonene

https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-limonene

D-Limonene: Benefits

https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-d-limonene-89444#health-benefits

D-limonene exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in an ulcerative colitis rat model via regulation of iNOS, COX-2, PGE2 and ERK signaling pathways

Lihua Yu et al. Mol Med Rep. 2017 Apr.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28260017/

D-Limonene: safety and clinical applications

Jidong Sun. Altern Med Rev. 2007 Sep.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18072821/

Preventive and ameliorating effects of citrus D-limonene on dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23838456/

Dietary d-limonene alleviates insulin resistance and oxidative stress-induced liver injury in high-fat diet and L-NAME-treated rats

Jesudoss Victor Antony Santiago et al. Eur J Nutr. 2012 Feb.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21445622/

Chronic Stress, Cortisol Dysfunction, and Pain: A Psychoneuroendocrine Rationale for Stress Management in Pain Rehabilitation

Kara E. Hannibal, Mark D. Bishop