Limonene: Citrus Flavor That is Real, Straight From the Peel

Looking for a terpene with a little zest?

Imagine biting into a juicy, succulent orange and grazing your teeth against the peel. Or drinking a cocktail garnished with a lemon rind. You know that loud citrus taste that is invigorating, sweet, and a little bit bitter? 

That’s Limonene! 

Limonene is a mouth-puckering, eye-widening terpene that is sweet, sour, and to be honest, totally terpy. It’s extracted from the oils found in rinds of fruit like lemons, limes, grapefruits, and oranges and is one of the most common terpenes in nature. Limonene can be found in all-natural cleaning products, cosmetics and is often used as an additive in food (think hard candy or chocolate oranges).

Perfect for morning and daytime use, Limonene is mood-lifting, energizing, and usually found in the most stimulating of sativas. As an essential oil, Limonene has been used for therapeutic purposes for centuries due to its unique health benefits for your skin and stomach! 

Limonene is a revitalizing terpene that features flavors that are real, straight from the peel! 

What are the health benefits of Limonene?

Limonene Has Amazing Anti-Inflammatory Properties to Protect Your Stomach

If you’re interested in gut health, Limonene has an interesting relationship with the stomach!

Scientists have found that Limonene can help protect your gut by literally forming a protective barrier around the stomach lining. Limonene’s anti-inflammatory properties in the stomach help reduce the risk of acid-induced gastric ulcers, neutralize gastric acid (relieving heartburn and GERD), and can possibly help treat colitis. 

Limonene may also be used to promote weight loss by lowering blood sugars and lipids. Research has also shown that Limonene can help prevent the development of metabolic syndrome, making it an option to reduce the conditions that cause heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. 

Limonene is Great For Your Skin and Can Prevent Sunburn

Limonene is huge in the cosmetic and personal care industries because it’s surprisingly great for your skin! In one study with mice, whether it was used topically or orally, Limonene was found to protect against sunburn. As more Limonene was used, the more it helped release elevated levels of UVR-absorbing proteins in the skin, almost completely preventing sunburn! 

When it comes to skin, Limonene also has anti-inflammatory effects, may heal wounds quicker, and can be possibly used to help people with rosacea. 

Limonene and Cancer 

Amid all the research done on Limonene, scientists have really honed in on how the terpene potentially has anticancer effects. When looking at tumors in rats, a study showed that Limonene produces chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity against solid tumor types. 

Additionally, in a study with 43 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, Limonene was found to inhibit mammary tumor cell growth and significantly decreased cyclin D1 expression in tumor tissue. 

Okay, now let’s bring everything together! Remember all that talk about orange peels and how Limonene is good for the skin? A study in Arizona found that as humans consumed more orange peels rich with Limonene, it lowered the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin! 

Click here to check out some of our limonene dominant terpene blends. Interested in cannabis strains with a healthy dose of limonene? Keep reading!

Limonene in Cannabis

Limonene is one of the most prominent terpenes found in all of cannabis! While it’s commonly found in stimulating, smile-inducing sativas, Limonene pops up in tons of hybrids too. These mood-elevating and sometimes euphoric strains are often used by creatives to help them write, paint and stay focused throughout the day. You’ll taste freshly squeezed lemonade, the zest of a lime, and herbally earth!

Here are four strains that are Limonene-dominant: 

Clementine

Oh my darling, this sativa-dominant hybrid is wonderful for wake-and-bakes! Derived from Lemon Skunk and Tangie, Clementine is a mood-boosting, stimulating strain that can create a clear-head and foster focus. Need to do something mundane? Clementine can help make it memorable! Thanks to the Limonene, it tastes like the first bite of a juicy, mouthwatering orange freshly picked from an orchard. Clementine explodes with sweet citrus, the zest of a lemon rind, and has an earthy aftertaste with undertones of pine.

Gelato

Deliciously dank, Gelato is a sweet and floral indica-leaning hybrid born by crossing Sunset Sherbert and Thin Mints GSC. It smells fruity, flowery, and tastes like tangy berries. While you might get creamy notes of orange similar to sherbert, the Limonene’s citrus is more complementary than sharp. It’s particularly potent and is a favorite among medical patients for its heady high and fast-moving body buzz. Gelato is a delectable dessert strain and all it takes is one hit! 

King Louie XIII

Here ye, here ye! Introducing King Louie XIII, an indica-dominant hybrid reserved for royalty! A popular strain on the West Coast, King Louie XIII was created by crossing OG Kush and LA Confidential. Take a whiff and you might find yourself in the French countryside. You’ll taste a signature, skunky sour and thanks to the Limonene, the slightest bit of citrus, too. King Louie XIII provides calming, deeply relaxing feelings perfect for a night of royal, restful sleep. Make sure your throne (or couch) is close by! 

Mimosa

Raise a glass for a newer strain that customers love to celebrate! Meet Mimosa, an uplifting daytime pick-me-up that is best enjoyed with brunch! Created by crossing Clementine with Purple Punch, this citrusy, sativa-dominant hybrid is tingly, energizing, and can easily replace your weekend coffee habits. You’ll feel focused as the Limonene leads you to flavors of freshly squeezed orange juice, sublimely sweet citrus, and a little bit of berry, too. Cheers!