Your guide to limonene, a terpene in cannabis
Last updated on Apr 10, 2025
Created on Nov 17, 2021
Article written by
April AcernoContent Writer
Content reviewed by
Dr. Mitchell L. DoucetteSenior Director of Research
Limonene is a terpene found in citrus peels, cannabis, and other plants. It may have several health benefits, including antioxidant effects, pain relief, and stress relief.
Get your medical marijuana card
Connect with a licensed physician online in minutes.
Larger purchase limits 
Access to higher potency strains 
Save up to 40% on product taxes 
Enhanced legal protection
What is limonene?
Limonene (aka D-limonene) is a chemical produced by certain plants to keep insects away. It’s found in:
- Citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons, and limes
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Cannabis
Limonene is one of the most common terpenes. It has a citrusy scent and flavor that adds a lemony note to some cannabis strains.
Aside from its health benefits, it’s used for flavoring and as an insecticide.
What are limonene’s effects?
Limonene is sought after for its health benefits, but more research in humans is needed to confirm its effects.
Relieves pain
Studies show that limonene has anti-inflammatory effects that may relieve pain and swelling. In animal studies, limonene reduced wound-related inflammation when applied to the skin.
Reduces anxiety
According to animal studies, limonene may lower anxiety. Rats who were given limonene showed lower stress levels than the control group.
Acts as an antioxidant
Limonene is an antioxidant that may protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Early research shows that it may counteract neurotoxicity and prevent brain cell death.
May have anti-cancer effects
Early research suggests that limonene may be effective against:
Limonene may kill cancer cells and prevent cancerous tumors from growing.
Promotes heart health
Animal studies suggest that limonene may improve heart health by lowering triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, liver fat, and fasting blood sugar. In another animal study, limonene lowered blood pressure.
Supports gut health
An animal study found that rodents given limonene did not develop stomach ulcers after taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) compared with the control group. Limonene may have helped protect the gastric mucus, which shields the stomach from acids and enzymes.
In another study, limonene lowered inflammation in rats with ulcerative colitis.
Increases energy
Limonene may have energizing properties. In one study, rats that inhaled an essential oil containing limonene experienced less fatigue and muscle weakness after swimming.
Limonene terpene in cannabis
The cannabis plant contains over 150 unique terpenes. They contribute to cannabis’s smell, flavor, and effects.
According to anecdotal reports, limonene in cannabis may:
- Boost energy
- Improve mood
- Enhance focus
- Calm anxiety
Some cannabis strains have higher concentrations of limonene than others. Amounts above 4 milligrams (mg) limonene per gram (g) are generally considered above average. The labels of cannabis products sold in dispensaries should tell you how much limonene is in the product.
High-limonene strains
Some strains of cannabis contain higher amounts of limonene than others:
- Sour Diesel is an energizing strain used to improve focus, energy, and creativity.
- Super Lemon Haze may boost mood, focus, and energy.
- Dosido is a powerful strain used to improve anxiety, chronic pain, and sleep.
- Gelato is a popular strain for managing stress, physical pain, and energy levels.
- Platinum Cookies may help with depression, anxiety, and pain.
- Jet Fuel OG may offer powerful mood-lifting and relaxing effects.
- Jack Herer can provide mood-balancing and pain-relieving effects.
- Durban Poison is a focus-enhancing, energizing strain known for its clear-minded high.
- Tahoe OG is a calming strain that may reduce stress and help with sleep.
- Berry White is a strain that may lift your mood and ease stress.
There are many other high-limonene strains available. Talk to your dispensary’s budtender or a Leafwell provider to find a strain that suits your needs.
Does limonene have side effects?
Ingesting high quantities of limonene may cause side effects like:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea
- Shallow breathing
The amounts of limonene found in cannabis are very unlikely to cause these side effects.
The bottom line: Limonene is a beneficial terpene that enhances cannabis’s aroma
Limonene is one of hundreds of cannabis compounds that may benefit your health. While more research in humans is needed, existing studies show promising results for its positive effects on health.
Limonene is one of the most common and recognizable terpenes in cannabis, sought after for its uplifting, energizing effects.
To experience the benefits of limonene in cannabis, apply for a medical cannabis card today. Leafwell’s telehealth services will help you get started.
Resources
- Differential effects of limonene on inflammation via activation of A2A and A2B adenosine receptors in asthma. https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1096/fasebj.2019.33.1_supplement.681.5
- D-limonene. https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/20568
- 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. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28260017/
- d-limonene exhibits antitumor activity by inducing autophagy and apoptosis in lung cancer. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5894671/
- D-limonene rich volatile oil from blood oranges inhibits angiogenesis, metastasis and cell death in human colon cancer cells. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22935404/
- D-limonene sensitizes docetaxel-induced cytotoxicity in human prostate cancer cells: Generation of reactive oxygen species and induction of apoptosis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19465777/
- Does the fragrance of essential oils alleviate the fatigue induced by exercise? A biochemical indicator test in rats. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5684592/
- Effects of limonene and essential oil from Citrus aurantium on gastric mucosa: role of prostaglandins and gastric mucus secretion. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19410566/
- Effects of limonene on chronic restraint stress-induced memory impairment and anxiety in male rats. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11062-019-09800-0
- Human breast tissue disposition and bioactivity of limonene in women with early-stage breast cancer. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23554130/
- 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/
- Protective effects of D-Limonene against transient cerebral ischemia in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5772658/
- Skin repair properties of d-Limonene and perillyl alcohol in murine models. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24160248/
- Terpenes in cannabis. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168945219301190
- The antioxidant activity of limonene counteracts neurotoxicity triggered by Aβ1-42 oligomers in primary cortical neurons. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34207788/
Get Your Medical Card
Connect with a licensed physician online in minutes.
Larger purchase limits Access to higher potency strains Save up to 40% on product taxes Enhanced legal protection
