Vol. 28 No. 2 (2014): Special issue on Current Environmental and Horticultual Research Progress in Japan
Articles

Physiological and psychological effects of olfactory stimulation with D-limonene

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

Published 2014-06-30

Keywords

  • heart rate,
  • heart rate variability,
  • limonene,
  • physiological relaxation

How to Cite

Joung, D., Song, C., Ikei, H., Okuda, T., Igarashi, M., Koizumi, H., Park, B., Yamaguchi, T., Takagaki, M., & Miyazaki, Y. (2014). Physiological and psychological effects of olfactory stimulation with D-limonene. Advances in Horticultural Science, 28(2), 90–94. https://doi.org/10.13128/ahs-22808
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Abstract

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.

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