Grapefruit essential oil : properties, uses, natural remedies. All the information you need to make the best use of grapefruit essence.
The grapefruit essential oil is extracted from the peel of the fruit of Citrus x paradisi and contains high amounts of limonene. The grapefruit is a hybrid of the original Barbados, was formed with the fortuitous intersection between the species sweet orange ( Citrus sinensis ) and pomelo ( Citrus grandis ) introduced from Asia in the Lesser Antilles.
Grapefruit essential oil for cellulite
The properties of grapefruit essential oil are so many that this essence is used as a natural remedy for a large number of ailments, first of all, cellulite.
Grapefruit essential oil is great for the composition of ointments to use for anti-cellulite massage.
To prepare an anti-cellulite massage ointment, combine:
- 4 drops of Grapefruit essential oil
- 2 drops of Cypress essential oil
- 2 drops of Rosemary essential oil
- 2 drops of Sweet Orange essential oil
- 2 tablespoons of almond oil
Why this choice? Rosemary essential oil stimulates blood circulation performing a perfect action to counteract water retention.
The essential oil of cypress includes properties astringent and tonic while the essential oil of grapefruit promotes the drainage of toxic. Sweet orange has a draining effect. Almond oil is a must because essential oils should not be used pure on the skin, it also has an excellent diluting power and facilitates the absorption of other essential oils.
To lose weight
Is grapefruit essential oil useful for weight loss? It doesn’t actually help you lose weight but it has a diuretic effect. For internal use, grapefruit essential oil can be exploited for its diuretic properties. For this purpose, we recommend consuming fresh grapefruit juice without forgetting to drink the famous 8 glasses of water a day.
Grapefruit essential oil: properties
Grapefruit essential oil includes properties disinfectants, stimulants, anti-depressant, antiseptic, lymph-stimulating and tonic. It is due to its properties that grapefruit essence is very suitable for fighting cellulite.
The properties of grapefruit essence are due to the active constituents: limonene, alpha pyrene, sabinene, myrcene, geraniol, linalool, lemongrass, neryl acetate and terpinenol. The two most abundant compounds are limonene and myrcene. Myrcene is one of the most important chemicals used in the perfume industry.
In aromatherapy it is appreciated for its stimulating properties on the nervous system.
Other uses of grapefruit essential oil
Thanks to its tonic and disinfectant properties, it can be added to the homemade cleanser to cleanse the skin and face.
For internal use, grapefruit essential oil is used in cases of on going affections of the gastro-intestinal tract, in particular the stomach, colon and intestines. It is used as a natural remedy in case of kidney or urinary system problems. For topical use it is useful in case of skin infections.
Thanks to its disinfectant and antiseptic properties, it can be used to treat small wounds, cuts or to treat acne. To aid the cleansing action of the soap, it may be wise to add a few drops of grapefruit essential oil to your acne and pimple soaps ( sulfur soap ) or to hydrating and emollient soaps ( shea butter soap ).
Internal use of Grapefruit essential oil
Returning to grapefruit essential oil for internal use, we recommend that you choose a product suitable for oral intake. For internal use there is a widespread belief that this essence can help you lose weight. In fact, this essence helps to eliminate excess fluids and does not give real weight loss. The same benefit can be obtained with waters that stimulate diuresis.
In the article dedicated to the properties of grapefruit we have seen how the juice of this fruit can help in weight loss. The same properties are to be linked to the essential oil which would help control hunger by promoting loss of appetite.
Price of Grapefruit essential oil
Essence of grapefruit can be purchased in shops specialized in the sale of natural products or through the web transaction. Being natural products, the effectiveness of grapefruit oil lies in the extraction process: if the production has not been careful, any treatment with grapefruit essential oil could be ineffective.
The part used for the production of this essence is the rind of the fruit. Another interesting portion of grapefruit is its seeds.
Grapefruit seeds
Grapefruit seeds are the protagonists of various extracts but do not contribute to the production of essential oil.
Grapefruit seed extracts find a good number of applications. They have antiviral and antimicrobial properties. Grapefruit seeds have come to the fore due to the possible activities carried out in countering the proliferation of cancerous tissues. In other words, grapefruit seeds are attributed anti-cancer properties but there are still no clear studies to support this thesis.
Grapefruit seed extract is recommended for those suffering from recurrent cystitis and urinary tract infections. The natural antimicrobial action of the extract allows to fight the bacteria responsible for cystitis and other urinary tract infections, without however altering the natural bacterial flora of our body.
