Grapefruit

Species name: Grapefruit oil is extracted via cold compression methods, from Citrus paradisi (also known as Citrus racemosa and C. maxima var. racemosa) from the Rutaceae family.

Also known as: Grapefruit essential oil is also known as shaddock.

Grapefruit essential oil has a nice, citrus scent, and is either light yellow or light red in hue.  It has a thin, watery texture. 

All citrus oils, including Essential Oil of Grapefruit, has a relatively short shelf life, and normally last only about six months, so purchase only what you will need for a six month period, and discard it after that time.

Native to Asia, grapefruit for grapefruit essential oil, is now grown in America, and other places.  Grapefruit trees are pretty and bedecked with white blossoms prior to the formation of the fruit. 

The oil comes from the peel of the grapefruit by means of cold compression.

Home Remedies using Grapefruit Essential Oil:

Benefits of Grapefruit Essential Oil:

Grapefruit essential oil is useful for many conditions.  Among those is mood enhancement, skin care, including clearing blemishes, especially on oily skin, and improving digestive function.

Grapefruit essential oil has many useful properties including alleviating depression, enhancing the mood, mellowing temperament, as an antiseptic to disinfect wounds, flush excess fluid from the system, and to stimulate the lymphatic system.

Grapefruit is rich in essential vitamins such as Vitamin C, so it helps boost the immune responses, and helps make absorption of calcium possible. 

It helps protect against colds and flu as a result.  It has been somewhat beneficial as a diet aid too and also helps reduce cellulite.

It has been known to enhance moods when used in aromatherapy, and can fight stress and work as an antidepressant. It has been known to rejuvenate tired, stiff muscles, and helps the system to filter out bodily toxins. 

It is excellent in treating blackheads and pimples by breaking up sebum and cleaning it out of the pores.  It is also a great rinse for oily hair.

  • Grapefruit essential oil can be used in vapor therapy via an oil diffuser, steam baths, or inhalation, to alleviate hangover symptoms, headaches, tiredness and depression.
  • Grapefruit oil can be diluted in a carrier oil or in an oil blend with other essential oils for massage therapy, or a few drops may be added to the bath to help fight cellulite.  It is also helpful as a diet aid, to fight colds and flu infections, tiredness, headaches, and moodiness.
  • As an additive to a base cream, lotion, shampoo or hair conditioner, or face and body washes, grapefruit oil can help improve complexion, clear acne, and reduce oiliness.  It is also thought to pull excess water through semi-permeable skin membranes to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Side Effects of Grapefruit Essential Oil:

Grapefruit essential oil is not considered toxic, irritating to the skin, and there are few cases of sensitization of the skin, but it can cause an irritation if the skin if exposed to strong sunlight after using grapefruit essential oil.