Gastroesophageal Reflux
D-limonene has been shown to be effective in
relieving occasional heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux
disorder (GERD). In a clinical setting, 19 adults
suffering from chronic heartburn or GERD were invited
to use d-limonene to relieve their symptoms. All participants
had a history of chronic heartburn or GERD,
with symptoms ranging from mild/moderate to severe
for at least five years. Before taking d-limonene, each
participant was asked to rate the frequency and severity
of symptoms on a scale of 1-10, with 1 corresponding
to complete relief and 10 corresponding to severe and/
or painful symptoms that occur every day. Most participants
had an initial severity and frequency rating of 5 or
greater. Participants were asked to discontinue current
treatments (OTC and/or prescription medications),
take one capsule containing 1,000 mg d-limonene every
day or every other day, and rate symptoms daily using
the frequency/severity index described above. On the
second day of taking d-limonene, 32 percent of participants
experienced a significant relief of symptoms (severity
rating=1-2); this relief rate improved gradually
during the regimen. By day 14, 89 percent of participants
achieved complete relief of symptoms.