Delta-3-carene is a monoterpene that occurs naturally in Turpentine, rosemary and cedar. Its molecular formula is C10H16 and the other names of delta-3-carene are 3-carene, carene, (+)-3-carene and so on.
It is a colorless transparent liquid. It has sweet, pine, cedar, woody and pungent smell and citrus flavor. It is insoluble in water but miscible soluble in fats and oils.
Uses and attributes:
It is used as a raw material in perfumes, cosmetics, flavors and terpene resins.
Carene is used to differentiate and stimulate the productivity of calcium in bone cells, thus helping in bone growth.
Cypress oil containing carene is used in Aromatherapy and it dries out the excess fluid in eyes, mouth and nose.
Therapeutic attributes of delta-3-carene:
Antihistamine:
Carene serves as an antihistamine by reducing excess menstrual flow or perspiration.
Anti-inflammatory effect:
In the study“Pharmacological activity of the essential oil of Bupleurum gibraltaricum: anti-inflammatory activity and effects on isolated rat uteri”, it was found that delta-3-carene present in the essential oil of Bupleurum gibraltaricum is responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of the oil against carrageenan-produced pedal edema in rats.
Anti-fungal activity:
According to the study “Antifungal activity of Juniperus essential oils against dermatophyte, Aspergillus and Candida strains [2006] “, it was found that the leaf oil of Juniperus oxycedrus ssp.oxycedrus acts as an effective antifungal agent against dermatophyte strains and delta-3-carene present in this juniperus oil is responsible for this antifungal activity.
Sedative:
delta-3-carene also exhibit sedative property and so it helps to slow down the brain function in case of insomnia. So delta-3-carene is used as a central nervous system depressant.
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