The health benefits of grapefruit essential oil can be attributed to its properties as a diuretic, disinfectant, stimulant, antidepressant, antiseptic, aperitif, lymphatic, and tonic substance.
Grapefruit, with a scientific name Citrus paradise, is commonly known as Shaddock in various parts of the globe. It also has two other scientific names, Citrus racemosa and Citrus maxima. The latter is named so because of its large size. Like all other citrus fruits, its essential oil is present in its peel and is extracted by compression. Many of its medicinal properties match those of the essential oils of other citrus fruits.
Grapefruit essential oil is composed of limonene, alpha-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, geraniol, linalool, citronellal, decyl acetate, neryl acetate, and terpineol, out of which the top two constituents are limonene and myrcene.
Grapefruit Essential Oil Health Benefits
Let us now see what benefits this powerful essential oil have in store for your body.
Boosts Immune System
Like the fruit itself, the essential oil of grapefruit is rich in antioxidants. Primarily, it has a wealth of vitamin C. This vitamin, combined with the other antioxidant components present in grapefruit essential oil, boosts the immune system and fights against the activity of free radicals. This oil is effective in protecting the body from all harm done by various oxidants and toxins, including premature aging, degeneration of tissues, macular degeneration, loss of vision and hearing, mental and physical sluggishness, nervous disorders, and other related problems.
Grapefruit essential oil is an orange-tinted, citrus-scented oil frequently used in aromatherapy. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Eliminates & Prevents Infections
The antiviral and antimicrobial properties of grapefruit essential oil make it a good disinfectant. It not only protects the body from new infections but also eliminates existing infections. It is particularly effective in treating infections of the colon, stomach, intestines, urinary system, excretory system, and kidneys. Furthermore, it is beneficial for treating oral, ocular, as well as skin infections.
Inhibits Microbial Infections
The antiseptic properties of grapefruit essential oil make it perfect for application on bruises, wounds, cuts, and acne to protect them from microbial infections. Furthermore, as an antiseptic, it prevents wounds from developing tetanus or becoming septic.
Stimulates Hormone Secretion
Grapefruit oil has stimulating effects on both, the body and the mind. It stimulates the brain by making it active and gives a new direction to thoughts. It also stimulates endocrine glands and promotes proper secretion of hormones and enzymes, thereby enhancing the metabolism. It stimulates the nervous system and makes you more active and alert. The digestive system also benefits from this essential oil as it stimulates the secretion of gastric juices and bile in the stomach, as well as the movement of ingested food through the intestines. Furthermore, it stimulates the lymphatic, circulatory, and excretory system.
Relieves Depression
Grapefruit essential oil has an uplifting and relaxing effect on the mind. It induces positive feelings of hope, cures depression, and relieves anxiety and stress. This effect comes from its aroma, and due to its stimulating effects on certain hormones that uplift the mind.
Controls Appetite
If you think you need to eat less, this essential oil could be very helpful. However, that doesn’t mean that you need to take it just before a meal. A regular dose of grapefruit essential oil can decrease your appetite and aid in weight management.
Increases Urination
The diuretic properties of grapefruit essential oil keep your body light and free from toxins by increasing urine frequency and volume. It helps in the removal of excess water, fats, sodium, uric acid, and other toxins from the body and also reduces blood pressure to keep the heart healthy. Frequent urination also keeps the urinary tract free from infections. It cleans the kidneys of all calcareous and uric deposits and protects them against renal calculi and infections.
Removes Toxins
Its activity as a lymphatic substance is probably the best property of grapefruit essential oil. The lymphatic system plays a vital role in our body and is involved in the removal of unwanted toxic substances. Grapefruit oil ensures healthy functioning of the lymphatic system and boosts its activity, thereby clearing the body of toxins and fighting problems like cellulite, blood urea, rheumatism, arthritis, gout, and renal calculi.
Acts as Tonic
Grapefruit essential oil acts as a tonic. A tonic is something that generally tones up organ systems. A hair tonic tones hair follicles and keeps your hair healthy and strong. A complete health tonic tones up all the organ systems operating inside your body, including the digestive, circulatory, metabolic, nervous, and excretory systems. It increases overall health and strength. Similarly, a liver tonic tones up the liver and improves its secretion rate and function.
Grapefruit essential oil can help in creating an upliftng environment. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Other Benefits
Grapefruit essential oil keeps the skin clean. It is good for treating oily skin and acne and provides a refreshing feeling. It can also be beneficial for treating stiffness and cramps in the muscles.
Using Grapefruit Essential Oil
You can use grapefruit essential oil in many ways. The simplest ones are listed below.
- Inhaling the fragrance of grapefruit oil directly from the bottle helps in relieving stress and headaches.
- You can mix grapefruit oil with a carrier oil like jojoba oil and rub it topically onto sore muscles for a relief.
- To use the oil for acne treatment, mix 1≠2 drops of grapefruit oil with your favorite jojoba or coconut oil (1/2 teaspoon) and apply to the affected region.
Word of Caution: Grapefruit essential oil can cause skin irritation if exposed to strong sunlight after application. Besides this, there are no inherent risks of consuming this essential oil, although it should probably be avoided during pregnancy.
Blending: Grapefruit essential oil blends very well with Bergamot, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, and Palma Rosa oil.
