Terpene Profile: Limonene
If you have been doing any reading on CBD or the entourage effect, it’s likely that you have heard of terpenes. Terpenes are the aromatic compounds responsible for the unique taste and smell that often accompanies CBD products. But do they serve any purpose beyond the sensory experience of taste and smell?
Extensive studies have found that terpenes not only affect taste and smell but also interact with cannabinoids like CBD to amplify and complement their effects. As a result, terpenes have been found to chemically interact with the body, delivering unique effects and sensory experiences.
The cannabis plant from which CBD is extracted is incredibly rich in the terpene limonene. Let’s take a closer look at limonene’s properties and many benefits.
Where is limonene found?
In relation to CBD, limonene is found in the cannabis sativa plants resin glands as fragrant oil. Limonene is the third most common terpene found in the cannabis plant and the second most common terpene found in nature. Limonene is found in pine needles, pine cones, juniper and in most citrus fruit rinds and peels like lemons, oranges, grapefruits, and limes.
In man-made products, limonene is abundantly found in foods, drinks, skincare products, perfumes, soaps, and cleaning products. Some people even use limonene as a natural insect repellant. Limonene is usually recognized by its bright, citrusy scent. If you notice your kitchen spray or laundry detergent smelling like fresh lemon zest, it is most likely because of limonene.
What are the benefits of limonene?
Limonene, through scent or consumption, is known for instantly elevating ones mood. It does this by increasing serotonin and dopamine levels in brain regions associated with anxiety, depression, and OCD. Limonene also boasts antifungal and antibacterial properties that make it an ideal addition to any topical meant to heal infections, wounds, or fight acne. Another interesting benefit of limonene is its ability to relieve heartburn and gastric reflux. Limonene also improves the absorption of other terpenes and cannabinoids through the skin, mucous membranes, and digestive tract; essentially, limonene helps beneficial substances like cannabinoids and terpenes to deeply penetrate into the body for maximum effectiveness.
Promising research and evidence from recent trials also support limonene’s anti-tumor effects, particularly in fatty tissue. The citrusy terpene has been found to accumulate in fatty tissue, so it naturally follows that limonene is particularly helpful in treating breast cancer and preventing the formation of tumors in breast tissue. In a series of labs that first started on rodents and then moved onto human clinical trials, scientists found limonene deterred the growth of both skin and mammary tumors. They were able to establish that limonene killed the protein that advanced breast cancer.
How do limonene and CBD work together?
Limonene is extracted alongside cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, such as CBD or THC. As noted above, limonene shares many similar therapeutic and healing effects just like CBD. By itself, CBD has already been proven to be a powerful, nontoxic, antioxidant cannabinoid. However, CBD’s healing properties are further enhanced by the presence of terpenes like limonene.
In full-spectrum CBD oil which includes the full spectrum of the cannabis plants terpenes, essential oils, flavonoids, and cannabinoids limonene works alongside CBD to further enhance mood, fight anxiety and depression, and boost antibacterial properties. Studies have shown limonene and CBD work well together to prevent and heal skin conditions, such as acne or infection. As a result, limonene and CBD oil pair particularly well together in topical skin serums, creams, lotions, and salves. Limonene and CBD also work together to effectively reduce pain and inflammation, fight infection, destroy free radicals, and overall help the body recover faster from illness or injury. Additionally, limonene combats the anxiety sometimes induced by the cannabinoid THC, which is often in a legal concentration less than 0.3% in CBD oils.
Studying how terpenes complement CBD proves the power of full-spectrum CBD products. The entourage effect allows the natural combination of these compounds to reach their full, therapeutic potential, achieving more benefits than each would on its own.
Are you interested in how limonene and CBD could benefit you? Check out Herbal Healers full-spectrum CBD tinctures, board-spectrum CBD soft gels, and topicals!