If you're just getting started with terpenes, odds are you're wondering how each isolate can be used. Terpene isolates can be used in hemp, CBD, and cannabis products as well as concentrates, vapes, foods, beverages, and aromatherapy infusions. This week, we're diving deeper into the sweet lemon citrus scented terpene isolate known as Citral.
Citral Isolate
Citral terpenes are found in many citrus fruits and cannabis plants. They offer a sweet lemony flavor when added to foods and beverages, though they're most commonly used in the health and beauty industry as a scent-improving agent to soaps, lotions, and cosmetics. Citral is also unique since its antimicrobial properties and lemon scent make it a good addition to a variety of commercial cleaning products.
Citral terpenes are secondary to many citrusy primary terpenes, like Valencene and Terpineol. However, they're a precursor to two isomers known as Geraniol and Nerol. You can find Citral terpenes in many citrusy cannabis strains, including Agent Orange, Chernobyl, Lemon Skunk, and Citral Skunk.
Citrus fruits have been used in holistic medicine for hundreds of years to help kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, and improve digestion. You can find Citral terpenes in many citrus-scented or flavored products, such as lotions and creams, cleaning products, foods and beverages, and aromatherapy infusions. On its own, it provides a variety of wellness properties that nourish the whole body. Here’s everything you need to know about Citral terpenes, their benefits, and where to find them.
Benefits of Citral Terpenes
Citral terpenes are secondary terpenes - meaning they appear in lower concentrations than primary terpenes out in nature. Secondary terpenes don't often get as much scientific evaluation as primary terpenes, so it's important that you consult your doctor before adding Citral terpenes to your diet or supplement regimen to rule out any possible complications.
Citral terpenes have received some of the least recent scientific study out of any of the terpenes on our list. Most of the findings are from studies conducted almost 20 years ago. We know that it's been tested and deemed safe to ingest and stable for the skin, so most of the uses of Citral are as scent and flavor improvers. They are typically added to candles and aromatherapy infusions since anecdotal evidence suggests that Citral is a calming, anxiety-reducing, and mildly sedative terpene. This makes it a great addition to a cup of evening tea, as it may be able to combat insomnia.
Actual scientific evidence does suggest that Citral, like most other terpenes, is antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial in nature. Some documented evidence also suggests that Citral can reduce inflammation, typically in the gastrointestinal tract and when applied topically, according to the results from a few animal cell models. Most interestingly, Citral was able to improve the anti-inflammatory properties of NSAID drugs like Naxopren while also reducing their side effects.
With inflammatory reducing properties and potent blood sugar reducing effects, Citral has also shown its ability to aid in headaches and digestion. It can help relieve symptoms of indigestion and help reduce gas levels in the gut. Most importantly, some evidence even suggests that Citral terpenes may help people lose weight. When introduced orally, Citral terpenes lowered blood sugar levels and increased the metabolic rates of the test subjects, leading to a reduction in weight gain.
Last but not least, Citral terpenes may have a potential anti-cancer effect. In numerous cancer cell lines, Citral demonstrated its ability to induce programmed cell death (apoptosis). However, the study was small and limited in scope, so further study is needed to solidify it as a tried and true cancer killer.
Natural Sources of Citral Terpenes
Aside from cannabis flowers, Citral terpenes are usually found in plants and flowers that contain higher concentrations of Geraniol. However, Citral terpenes can also be found in larger doses in lemon, orange, and lime peels as well as lemongrass, clove basil, and lemon verbena. Below, you'll find a list of the top plants, fruits, and flowers that contain Citral terpenes.
TLDR; Citral Terpenes
Antibacterial
Antifungal
Antiviral
Antimicrobial
Anti-anxiety
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-insomnia
Anti-cancer
Improves digestion
Soothes indigestion
Reduces gas in the GI tract
Reduces headaches
May help with weight loss
Common Uses for Citral Terpenes
Whether through your favorite fruits and herbs or through a diffuser, Citral isolate smells and tastes great and works wonders within your body.
Citral terpenes can be safely added to all sorts of products to reduce inflammation and help treat stomach issues as well as a host of other potential health benefits. It can safely be eaten, drank, infused, and inhaled with a little bit of mixing. It can also be used to improve cannabis products like vapes and concentrates that may have lost cannabinoid potency or terpene content during extraction.
Add Citral terpenes to foods and beverages to enjoy the anti-inflammatory, mood-improving, and general healing properties within the whole body. A dash of water-soluble Citral terpenes in your favorite foods or beverages add a sweet and tart citrus flavor that can help you de-stress and unwind, soothe head and stomach aches, and help you get to sleep.
Add Citral terpenes to essential oil diffusers and aromatherapy infusions to enjoy a bright lemon-peel aroma similar to lemons, lemongrass, lemon verbena, and limes. It can even help to kill airborne bacteria, viruses, microbes, and fungal spores from the air.
Add Citral terpenes to cannabis concentrates and hemp oils made from strains with higher citrusy terpene content, such as Valencene, Terpineol, Geraniol, and Limonene since Citral is often found alongside these primary terpenes. Try it in products made from strains like Tangie, Citral, and Super Lemon Haze. Citral terpenes can make them smell and taste better and boost the potency of THC/CBD effects.
Just keep in mind that not all terpenes are created equal. Different terpenes will always have different effects, but they're not all made the same. We know you have a choice when it comes to terpene providers, but no other choice comes close to our level of quality.
At Peak Supply Co, our Citral terpene isolates are extracted from all-natural food-grade fruit, flower, and nut oils in our state-of-the-art facility. With our proprietary extraction and refinement method, we remove plant materials and any leftover impurities, leaving behind the purest terpene isolates on the market. Best of all, we even offer sample packs so you can try them all.