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Dietary supplement

Lime Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by doTERRA

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Lime is a dietary supplement by doTERRA with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for source of vitamin c, digestive upset, skin care.Based on those ingredients, 886 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Lime. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Lime by doTERRA

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

doTERRA's Lime is a single-ingredient product: lime oil. It's a concentrated essential oil extracted from lime fruit, used as a flavoring or aromatic supplement.

Since this is an essential oil rather than food-form lime juice, it's much more potent than what you'd get from squeezing a lime into water or onto food.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Lime product and its label doesn't state a use — see Lime's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence supporting lime for iron deficiency anemia, malaria, sickle cell disease, and smoking cessation is insufficient — we don't have reliable data showing it works for any of these uses. If you're considering lime for a specific health concern, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist about whether the science backs it.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Lime

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Lime as a food or drink is safe for most people. However, because this is a concentrated essential oil — not food-form lime — the safety picture changes.

Concentrated lime extracts and essential oils haven't been well studied, and your doctor should clear their use first. Topical application can occasionally trigger allergic contact dermatitis or phytophotodermatitis (a blistering reaction when the oil contacts skin followed by sun exposure).

Taken by mouth, lime juice has rarely caused diarrhea or tooth sensitivity and wear. Pregnancy and lactation safety data for this product is not on file — talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized guidance.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Lime

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Lime.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 887 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before starting doTERRA Lime, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take photosensitizing drugs (Moderate severity) or any medication processed by the CYP3A4 enzyme system in your liver (Moderate severity). A pharmacist can help you search your exact medications on this page.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you take any prescription medication — especially photosensitizers or drugs processed by your liver's CYP3A4 system — you'll want to check your exact medications against the interaction tool before adding this product. Food-form lime is generally fine, but concentrated essential oil comes with more unknowns.

Run this by your doctor or pharmacist to make sure it fits your situation.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 16, 2022.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Lime, straight from the product label.

Brand doTERRA
Net contents 15 mL; 0.5 fl. Oz.
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 16, 2022
DSLD ID 267405
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Lime by doTERRA, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Drop(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Drop(s)
Servings per container
250
IngredientAmount% DV
Lime60 mg--

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

For aromatic or topical use. Diffuse aromatically or, to apply topically, dilute with a carrier oil to minimize skin sensitivity.

For internal use dilute 1 drop in 4 fl. oz. of liquid.

Precautions

Caution: Possible skin sensitivity.

Keep out of reach of children.

If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult your physician.

Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas. Avoid sunlight or UV rays for up to 12 hours after applying.

Formula

Citrus aurantifolia

FDA Statement of Identity

Essential Oil Supplement

Seals/Symbols

CPTG Certified Pure Tested Grade

See for yourself

Lime by doTERRA label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Lime by doTERRA

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Drop(s) Dosage formLiquid Servings per container250 Amounts shown are per serving.

Lime

Interacts with
886 drugs
60 mg per serving

Lime is a common citrus fruit and a good natural source of vitamin C and plant antioxidants. As a food it is generally safe and enjoyed by most people...

Lime monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Lime by doTERRA Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Lime?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
886Drugs
886 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Lime 886

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Lime with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Lime2 drug types · 886 drugs

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Animal research shows that phenolics in lime juice inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4. This has been demonstrated in rats treated with sildenafil, a CYP3A4 substrate, and high doses of lime juice.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Photosensitizing Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of lime oil with photosensitizing drugs may increase the risk of phototoxicity.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Lime, from the product label.

doTERRA

See all doTERRA products
Name
doTERRA Intl, LLC
Street Address
389 South 1300 West
City
Pleasant Grove
State
UT
ZipCode
84062
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Lime by doTERRA: Common Questions

Does Lime by doTERRA interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Lime has a known interaction with 886 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Lime contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Is this the same as regular lime juice from the grocery store?
No. This is a concentrated essential oil, far more potent than food-form lime juice. Essential oils haven't been studied as thoroughly for safety, so concentrated products like this should be cleared by your doctor first.
Can I use doTERRA Lime if I take blood pressure or cholesterol medication?
Many of those drugs are processed by your liver's CYP3A4 system, which lime can affect. You'll need to check your specific medications using the tool on this page or ask your pharmacist to confirm it's safe to combine.
What side effects should I watch for?
Taken by mouth, lime juice rarely causes diarrhea or tooth sensitivity. Applied to skin, it can rarely trigger allergic reactions or — especially if you're in the sun afterward — a blistering reaction. If you notice any of those, stop and talk with your doctor.
Is it safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Safety data for concentrated lime products during pregnancy and lactation isn't on file. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for guidance tailored to your situation.
Does lime actually help with anemia or malaria?
The evidence we have is insufficient to say it does. If you're dealing with either condition, work with your doctor on proven treatments.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Lime is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Lime label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Lime's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 20 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Lime 20 references
  1. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  2. Roesyanto-Mahadi ID, Geursen-Reitsma AM, van Joost T, et al. Sensitization to fragrance materials in Indonesian cosmetics. Contact Dermatitis 1990;22:212-7. PubMed
  3. Naganuma M, Hirose S, Nakayama Y, et al. A study of the phototoxicity of lemon oil. Arch Dermatol Res 1985;278:31-6. . PubMed
  4. Bailey DG, Dresser GK, Bend JR. Bergamottin, lime juice, and red wine as inhibitors of cytochrome P450 3A4 activity: comparison with grapefruit juice. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2003;73:529-37. PubMed
  5. Weber, I. C., Davis, C. P., and Greeson, D. M. Phytophotodermatitis: the other "lime" disease. J Emerg.Med 1999;17(2):235-237. PubMed
  6. Wagner, A. M., Wu, J. J., Hansen, R. C., Nigg, H. N., and Beiere, R. C. Bullous phytophotodermatitis associated with high natural concentrations of furanocoumarins in limes. Am.J Contact Dermat. 2002;13(1):10-14. PubMed
  7. Garcia, O. P., Diaz, M., Rosado, J. L., and Allen, L. H. Ascorbic acid from lime juice does not improve the iron status of iron-deficient women in rural Mexico. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 2003;78(2):267-273. PubMed
  8. Coffman, K., Boyce, W. T., and Hansen, R. C. Phytophotodermatitis simulating child abuse. Am.J Dis.Child 1985;139(3):239-240. PubMed
  9. Adegoke SA, Oyelami OA, Olatunya OS, Adeyemi LA. Effects of lime juice on malaria parasite clearance. Phytother Res. 2011;25(10):1547-50. PubMed
  10. Adegoke SA, Shehu UA, Mohammed LO, Sanusi Y, Oyelami OA. Influence of lime juice on the severity of sickle cell anemia. J Altern Complement Med. 2013;19(6):588-92. PubMed
  11. Assarian Z, Nixon RL. Protein contact dermatitis caused by lime in a pastry chef. Contact Dermatitis. 2015;73(1):54-6. PubMed
  12. Bamise CT, Dinyain VE, Kolawole KA. Dental erosion due to lime consumption; review of literature and case report. East Afr J Public Health. 2009;6(2):141-3. PubMed
  13. Flugman SL. Mexican beer dermatitis: a unique variant of lime phytophotodermatitis attributable to contemporary beer-drinking practices. Arch Dermatol. 2010;146(10):1194-5. PubMed
  14. Galvañ-Pérez Del Pulgar JI, Linares-Barrios M, Galvañ-Pozo JI Jr. Acropigmentation of the dorsum of the hands from preparing mojitos: A lime-induced phytophotodermatosis. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2016;107(3):253-5. DOI
  15. Hemmerling A, Potts M, Walsh J, Young-Holt B, Whaley K, Stefanski DA. Lime juice as a candidate microbicide? An open-label safety trial of 10% and 20% lime juice used vaginally. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2007;16(7):1041-51. PubMed
  16. Mauck CK, Ballagh SA, Creinin MD, et al. Six-day randomized safety trial of intravaginal lime juice. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2008;49(3):243-50. PubMed
  17. Mioduszewski M, Beecker J. Phytophotodermatitis from making sangria: a phototoxic reaction to lime and lemon juice. CMAJ. 2015;187(10):756. PubMed
  18. Rungruanghiranya S, Ekpanyaskul C, Sakulisariyaporn C, Watcharanat P, Akkalakulawas K. Efficacy of fresh lime for smoking cessation. J Med Assoc Thai. 2012;95 Suppl 12:S76-82.
  19. Swerdlin A, Rainey D, Storrs FJ. Fragrance mix reactions and lime allergic contact dermatitis. Dermatitis. 2010;21(4):214-6. DOI
  20. Ademosun AO, Mohammed A, Oboh G, Ajeigbe OF. Influence of lemon (Citrus limon) and lime (Citrus aurantifolia) juices on the erectogenic properties of sildenafil in rats with L-NAME-induced erectile dysfunction. J Food Biochem 2022;46(2):e14074.

See these in context on the Lime monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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