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Innovative Medicines & Omics Impact of lemon essential oil on anthropometrics

differences. These findings affirm the initial homogeneity essential oil, may provide meaningful improvements in
of the TG and CG, which is vital to minimize the impact of body contour and appearance. This aligns with wellness
confounding variables in the ensuing analyses. objectives focused on esthetic enhancement and self-
esteem. For health outcomes, these findings suggest a
4.2. Abdominal skinfold measurements potential complementary role for such interventions as part
The core focus of the study revolved around assessing of broader lifestyle strategies targeting body composition
the impact of lemon essential oil, the TG, on abdominal and fat reduction.
skinfold measurements. The results from independent The observed changes, while modest, underscore the
t-tests comparing the TG and CG for skinfold thickness feasibility of integrating affordable, non-invasive techniques
(Table 2) offer valuable insights into this investigation. into wellness programs. Further studies are warranted to
Sessions 1, 2, and 4 consistently show no statistically explore whether such interventions can produce sustained
significant differences between the groups, regardless of and clinically meaningful outcomes when combined with
whether equal variances are assumed. This implies that, in other approaches, such as diet and exercise.
these specific sessions, lemon essential oil does not have The study observed statistically significant
a statistically significant effect on abdominal skinfold improvements in abdominal skinfold thickness and other
thickness compared to the CG. parameters during these sessions, indicating that the
However, a different picture emerges in sessions 3, intervention’s effects were not uniform across the 6 weeks.
5, and 6. The results in these sessions reveal statistically This variability could be attributed to differences in
significant differences in skinfold thickness means. individual responses regarding physiological adaptation.
Regarding abdominal skinfold thickness, a reduction The body may require repeated exposure to the intervention
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of approximately 6.9 – 7.2 mm in abdominal skinfold before showing measurable changes, which could explain
thickness was observed in the TG during sessions 5 and why significant differences emerged later in the study,
6. Abdominal skinfold measurements serve as a proxy for such as in sessions 5 and 6. The cumulative effects of the
subcutaneous fat levels in the abdominal region, which is essential oil’s bioactive compounds, such as limonene,
closely linked to overall body fat distribution. Reducing may amplify over time, enhancing fat mobilization or
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16,18
abdominal fat is associated with improved metabolic improving circulation after multiple applications.
health, as excess abdominal fat is a known risk factor Baseline variability is another potential factor. Participants’
for conditions such as insulin resistance, cardiovascular initial fat distribution, skin characteristics, or metabolic
disease, and type 2 diabetes. While the changes observed rates could influence how quickly, and significantly, they
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in this study are localized and relatively modest, they may respond to the treatment. Genetic factors affecting fat
indicate early benefits of targeted interventions, particularly metabolism and inflammatory responses might also
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for individuals looking to improve body contours or reduce contribute to the observed variations.
fat deposits for esthetic or health reasons. Consistency of procedures is another consideration.
Regarding abdominal perimeter, a reduction of 3.5 cm While the study aimed to standardize the exfoliation
in abdominal perimeter was recorded in the TG during and massage procedures, slight differences in technique
session 5. Waist circumference is an established marker (e.g., pressure, duration, or area covered) between sessions
of central adiposity, and reductions in this measure are or therapists could have influenced outcomes. Therapist
fatigue or variability in skill might have introduced
linked to decreased cardiovascular and metabolic risks. inconsistencies. In addition, variations in participants’
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Even small changes in waist circumference can contribute hydration levels, food intake, or stress before measurement
to better health outcomes, especially when sustained over could have influenced skinfold thickness or abdominal
time.
perimeter readings, introducing session-specific noise.
The reductions observed in abdominal and tricep Environmental conditions, such as room temperature
skinfold thickness highlight the potential for localized or humidity, could have affected the penetration and
fat loss, often a goal in body contouring and wellness effectiveness of the essential oil.
treatments. However, it is important to note that Synergistic effects may also play a role. Lemon essential
these changes do not necessarily translate to systemic oil’s bioactive compounds, such as limonene and β-pinene,
improvements in overall fat mass or BMI, which remained may exhibit cumulative effects when applied consistently
unchanged.
over time. This might explain why later sessions showed
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The results demonstrate that non-invasive, affordable more pronounced differences. Repeated massage sessions
interventions, such as aromatherapy massage with lemon could progressively improve circulation and lymphatic

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2025) 77 doi: 10.36922/imo.5893