Physiological and psychological effects of olfactory stimulation with D-limonene

D. Joung; C. Song; H. Ikei; T. Okuda; M. Igarashi; H. Koizumi; B.J. Park; T. Yamaguchi; M. Takagaki; Y. Miyazaki

doi:10.13128/ahs-22808

Advances in Horticultural Science (Jun 2014)

Physiological and psychological effects of olfactory stimulation with D-limonene

D. Joung,
C. Song,
H. Ikei,
T. Okuda,
M. Igarashi,
H. Koizumi,
B.J. Park,
T. Yamaguchi,
M. Takagaki,
Y. Miyazaki

Affiliations

D. Joung: Department of Environment and Forest Resources, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-764
C. Song: Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882
H. Ikei: Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882
T. Okuda: Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882
M. Igarashi: Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882
H. Koizumi: Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882
B.J. Park: Department of Environment and Forest Resources, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-764
T. Yamaguchi: Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882
M. Takagaki: Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882
Y. Miyazaki: Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13128/ahs-22808
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 28, no. 2

Abstract

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Although D-Limonene can be considered an important component of nature-based stimuli, the physiological effects of olfactory stimulation with D-Limonene have not been completely clarified by scientific studies. The physiological and psychological effects of olfactory stimulation with D-Limonene were studied measuring heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate, and subjective evaluation using a modified semantic differential method; thirteen Japanese female university students (mean age±SD, 21.5±1.0 years) participated in the study. A concentration of 60 μL of D-Limonene was used as olfactory stimulant and room air as control. Subjects were exposed for 90 s while sitting with eyes closed. During D-Limonene inhalation: (1) the high-frequency (HF) value of HRV, a marker of parasympathetic nervous activity that is enhanced in relaxing situations, was significantly higher; (2) the heart rate was significantly lower; and (3) subjects reported feeling significantly more comfortable during D-Limonene administration than control. The results obtained clearly indicate that olfactory stimulation with D-Limonene induced physiological and psychological relaxation, providing important scientific evidence of the health benefits of D-Limonene.

Published in Advances in Horticultural Science

ISSN: 0394-6169 (Print); 1592-1573 (Online)
Publisher: Firenze University Press
Country of publisher: Italy
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General); Science: Botany
Website: https://oaj.fupress.net/index.php/ahs

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