Perillyl Alcohol

Perillyl alcohol is a monoterpene precursor to limonene, and can be found in lavender, sage, peppermint, and lemongrass.

Links to Plants Containing Perillyl Alcohol

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represents a compilation of scientific articles found on the topic, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  This compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use of any herb listed.

ANTICANCER

• Pancreatic carcinoma incidence was decreased by perillyl alcohol and farnesol consumption in animals.  From:  Burke, Y. D., Ayoubi, A. S., Werner, S. R., McFarland, B. C., Heilman, D. K., Ruggeri, B. A., & Crowell, P. L. (2001). Effects of the isoprenoids perillyl alcohol and farnesol on apoptosis biomarkers in pancreatic cancer chemoprevention. Anticancer research, 22(6A), 3127-3134.

REDUCED DEMENTIA

• Two lemon essential oil components, limonene and perillyl, reduced the symptoms of dementia.  From:  Zhou, W., Fukumoto, S., & Yokogoshi, H. (2013). Components of lemon essential oil attenuate dementia induced by scopolamine. Nutritional neuroscience.  Link:  http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/147683009X388832

By: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 1/11/19