When I was a kid, one of my favorite places to be was standing under our backyard tangerine tree. I’d pick the ripe fruit, eat it on the spot, and squeeze the peels onto my wrists and into my hair, the essential oils acting as my earliest DIY perfume.
I didn’t know the science back then. I just knew that the bright spray of citrus mist instantly changed how I felt. It lifted my mood and made me feel like laughing, leaving a lingering spark of energy as the aroma evaporated.
Decades later, working with plant aromatics, I realized that as a child I was instinctively tapping into one of Nature’s most effective mental energy reset buttons: d-limonene.
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- 2 Summer Cooler blends for diffuser and room spray
- After Sun Cooling Skin spray recipe
- List of “cooling” essential oils and how they enhance your zen in hot weather!
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About d-Limonene in Essential Oils
A Peek at d-Limonene in Essential Oil
d-Limonene is a monoterpene, the smallest of the chemical constituents found in essential oils. Because it’s small and lightweight, d-limonene is highly volatile. You can detect this highly aromatic molecule as soon as you open a bottle of Lemon essential oil or peel an orange.
Interestingly, d-limonene isn’t exclusive to citrus essential oils. It’s also an active component in Black Pepper, Elemi, Palo Santo, Spearmint, and many other non-citrus essential oils.
TRY THIS: Place a drop of Black Pepper essential oil on a scent strip or grind a few peppercorns into a bowl. As the volatile essential oils evaporate, see if you can detect the subtle sweet bright note that sits right beneath Black Pepper’s signature spicy heat.
Did you know there are TWO types of limonene? Dip your toe into essential oil chemistry in Essential Oil Elements. Learn the difference between d-limonene and l-limonene. You’ll also find 50 monographs, 18 botanical profiles, 120+ recipes, and more! Where to find Essential Oil Elements.
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“This book has a wealth of information. I just received it yesterday & only had time to flip through it but I can tell this will be one of my favorite reference books.”
~Doreen (Etsy buyer)
⭐️Zest-n-Zing Hand & Body Cream
Try this quick, easy-to-make hand and body cream to capture the magic of d-limonene and shift your mental energy:
- 1-ounce glass jar
- 1 oz fragrance-free cream
- 3 drops Red Mandarin (Citrus x reticulata)
- 2 drops distilled Lime (Citrus x aurantifolia)
- 1 drop Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) or Elemi (Canarium luzonicum)
NOTE 1: This is a 1% concentration of essential oils. If desired, the drops can be doubled.
NOTE 2: I recommend using distilled Lime essential oil which has no risk for photosensitivity. If using cold pressed Lime essential oil, the maximum dermal limit is 0.7% (about 4 drops in 1 ounce of suitable carrier).
🌺See my Recommended Suppliers below
How to Make the Hand & Body Cream
- Using a small spoon, scoop 28 grams of fragrance-free cream to the jar.
- Make a small well in the middle of the cream
- Add essential oils.
- Using the spoon, a glass stir rod, or mini-whisk (my favorite) blend until well-incorporated.
- Cap and allow to sit for a few hours. This allows the aroma of the essential oils to come together.
➡️Find all of the tools I use right here.
How to Use Zest-n-Zing Hand & Body Cream
Apply this gently aromatic blend to hands and/or body as desired to:
- Brighten spirits: Uplifting citrus instantly invites a sense of joy.
- Encourage focus: Black Pepper/Elemi adds a warm undercurrent that centers energy.
- Clear mental fog: The blend cuts through frazzled thoughts at the end of, or even during, a stressful day.
More Blends with d-Limonene Essential Oils
⭐️Try Yawn Away morning diffuser blend with Sweet Basil and Lime to get the whole family started on the right foot.
⭐️Grapefruit and Spearmint come together in Awake essential oil blend. Diffuse, make a room spray, or use in a pulse point roll-on or body lotion!
⭐️Put this fan favorite Energize Me! roll-on together and experience the motivating energy of Ginger and Clementine.
Essential Oils Rich in d-Limonene
| Citrus Essential Oils | Expected d-Limonene |
|---|---|
| Bergamot (Citrus x bergamia) | 27-52%* |
| Bergamot FCF (Citrus x bergamia) | 28-45%* |
| Blood Orange (Citrus x sinensis sanguinelli) | >90%† |
| Bitter Orange (Citrus x aurantium) | 89-94%* |
| Clementine (Citrus x clementina) | 94-95%* |
| Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi) | 84-95%* |
| Lemon (Citrus x limon) | 56-76%* |
| Lime (Citrus x aurantifolia) | 40-50%* |
| Makrut Lime (Citrus x hystrix) | >25%† |
| Mandarin, Green & Red (Citrus reticulata) | 65-74%* |
| Sweet Orange (Citrus x sinensis) | 86-96%* |
| Yuzu (Citrus junos) | >60%† |
| Non-Citrus Essential Oils | Expected d-Limonene |
|---|---|
| Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) | 16-24%* |
| Elemi (Canarium luzonicum) | 26-65%* |
| Frankincense (Boswellia spp.) | 0-28%* |
| Guava Leaf (Psidium guajava) | >20%† |
| Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) | 5-15%* |
| Mandarin Leaf/Petitgrain (Citrus reticulata) | 7-11%* |
| Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens) | 58-63%* |
| Pink Pepper (Schinus molle, S. terebinthefolia) | 7-9%* |
| Spearmint (Mentha spicata) | 11-21%* |
| Sweet Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) | <1-21%* |
| Xanthoxylum (Zanthoxylum armatum) | >20%† |
*Source: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Ed, R. Tisserand & R. Young
†Source: Comparison of GC/MS reports from Aromatics International, Nature Packaged, Plant Therapy, Edens Garden, and Stillpoint Aromatics
What are your favorite d-limonene rich essential oils and why? How do you like to use them?
FREE: Essential Oils Sourcing Checklist
- Reduce essential oil supplier confusion
- Tips on what to look for in a quality supplier
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References
- Tisserand, R., Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Ed. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
Where to Find d-Limonene Essential Oils
My top two sources for citrus essential oils are:
- Nature Packaged (direct & Amazon)
- Use code momaromas10 to save on every direct order
- Aromatics International (direct & Amazon)
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is for educational purposes only.
All recipes provided are for personal use and are not designed for re-sale or large-scale manufacturing.
Please consult your doctor, naturopath, herbal practitioner, or other qualified health professional for medical advice and before starting any herbal regimen, particularly if you are pregnant or nursing, have any existing medical conditions, or are taking any medications.
Christine Pressler | Author, Certified Aromatherapist, Natural Skin Care Formulator
Christine is an avid reader, writer, lifetime learner, and proponent of self-care for better mental health and energy. She enjoys formulating bespoke aromatherapy, skin care, and herbal products to support her family, pets, friends, and clients. She also loves experimenting with recipes in the kitchen.💚 (Learn more >>)
