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Innovative Medicines & Omics Impact of lemon essential oil on anthropometrics

however, they rarely quantify these effects in a controlled, sensitization, even when used at safe concentrations. In
clinical setting. 22,23 addition, the systemic effects of repeated exposure, mainly
At present, there is no consensus or substantial body through inhalation or dermal absorption, are not fully
of evidence detailing the extent to which lemon essential understood and warrant further investigation.
oil impacts anthropometric measures, such as skinfold This study explores the impact of lemon essential oil
thickness or abdominal perimeter. This study represents a on skinfold measurements and various anthropometric
novel contribution to the field by employing a randomized variables. It seeks to assess whether lemon essential oil,
double-blinded trial to evaluate these effects rigorously. It when administered over multiple sessions, can induce
aims to address a critical gap in the literature by providing significant changes in these parameters, thereby providing
data on the targeted effects of lemon essential oil, valuable insights into the potential therapeutic applications
particularly in the context of body contouring and wellness of this natural remedy.
interventions. The exploration of lemon essential oil’s impact on

While essential oils, including lemon essential oil, anthropometric measurements served as a bridge between
have shown significant potential in therapeutic and traditional practices and contemporary scientific inquiry.
wellness applications, their use is not without limitations. Furthermore, it contributes to the broader discussion
These challenges must be considered when interpreting on the utility of essential oils in healthcare and wellness,
their efficacy and designing interventions. Essential oils adding to the growing body of knowledge on natural
primarily exert their effects through topical application remedies and their potential applications.
and olfactory stimulation. However, their penetration
through the skin is limited due to the barrier properties of 2. Materials and methods
the stratum corneum. Although some compounds, such 2.1. Study design
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as limonene, are small and lipophilic enough to penetrate
the epidermis, their bioavailability in deeper tissues or This study utilized a randomized double-blinded study
systemic circulation remains low. This limitation may design to assess the effects of a specific intervention
affect the extent of their therapeutic impact on adipose on abdominal fat reduction. The trial encompassed
tissue or subcutaneous fat. two groups: a treatment group and a control group.
Participants were randomly assigned to the treatment
The chemical composition of essential oils can vary group (TG) or the control group (CG) using a computer-
significantly depending on factors such as plant variety, generated randomization sequence to minimize selection
geographic origin, extraction method, and storage bias. Randomization was conducted after all participants
conditions. These variations may result in inconsistent met the inclusion criteria and completed the baseline
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therapeutic outcomes and make it challenging to assessment. To ensure balance between the groups,
standardize treatments. Essential oils can cause allergic or stratified randomization was employed based on two key
irritant reactions, particularly in sensitive skin. Lemon variables: age and body mass index (BMI). Participants
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essential oil, in particular, contains citral and limonene, (n = 26) were first categorized into strata according to age
which are known allergens that may trigger contact ranges (30 – 39 years and 40 – 49 years) and BMI categories
dermatitis if misused or in excessive concentrations. (e.g., normal weight, overweight, and obese). Within each
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Proper dilution and patch testing are essential to minimize stratum, participants were randomly allocated to the TG or
these risks. Some citrus oils, including lemon essential oil, CG, ensuring an even distribution of age and BMI between
are phototoxic due to compounds like furanocoumarins. the groups.
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When applied to the skin and exposed to sunlight or
ultraviolet radiation, they may cause photosensitivity, This stratification process was implemented to reduce
leading to burns or pigmentation changes. Although the potential confounding effects of these variables on
steam-distilled lemon oil has lower phototoxicity than cold- the study’s outcomes, as both age and BMI can influence
pressed oil, careful application guidelines are necessary to anthropometric parameters, such as skinfold thickness and
ensure safe use. abdominal perimeter.
Despite growing interest in essential oils, the evidence In addition, to maintain the double-blinded nature of the
supporting their therapeutic efficacy is often anecdotal trial, the randomization sequence and group assignments
or based on small-scale studies. This highlights the were concealed from participants and therapists using
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need for rigorous, well-controlled trials to substantiate sequentially numbered, opaque, and sealed envelopes.
claims and understand the mechanisms underlying their The treatment group underwent a comprehensive
effects. Prolonged exposure to essential oils can lead to procedure consisting of a 5-min exfoliation and a 30-min

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2025) 73 doi: 10.36922/imo.5893