Grapefruit Seed Extract: Its Benefits to Health!

Grapefruit is a very special fruit well known to everyone. But what most of us don’t know is the many benefits it has to our health, especially when it comes to its extract! There are so many and significant properties that make it essential for every home!

What is Grapefruit Extract?

Grapefruit seed extract comes from the fruit seeds and the main ingredients considered responsible for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties are polyphenols, namely lemonoids and naragenine. The latter is the one that gives grapefruit its characteristic bitter taste.

Grapefruit extract can be found in various forms and contents. It is usually in liquid form or in a capsule, and is often used as a preservative and antimicrobial in natural personal care products as well as in the food industry as a natural preservative.

Nowadays, many companies use it as a key ingredient in throat or sinus sprays, mouthwashes and toothpastes, personal hygiene products, wound sprays, etc.

In agriculture, grapefruit seed extract is used to kill bacteria and fungus, combat mold growth, kill parasites in feed, protect food and disinfect water.

Grapefruit extract and health benefits

The positive effects that grapefruit seed extract has on the body is due to its ability to kill pathogenic bacteria and mostly fungi! It is recommended for various gastrointestinal infections and parasitic diseases; always dissolved in water.

Candida

Grapefruit seed extract has very good results in the treatment of Candida albicans. Use it for at least 3 weeks dissolved in water one to three times a day. Increase the dose gradually.

Flu

When the flu comes and your first symptoms turn up, you can dissolve several drops of grapefruit extract in a glass of water and consume 3 times a day until you get better.

Eczema and Dermatitis

For external use, grapefruit seed extract may be dissolved in oil e.g. olive oil, almond oil or avocado oil and spread to problematic areas. This mixture can alleviate irritations because of eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, but also herpes.

Research has shown that grapefruit seed extract has helped to treat gastrointestinal disorders in people with eczema, such as constipation, bloating, stomach upset etc.

Detox

Grapefruit seed extract is considered to be ideal for detox, as it can get rid of toxins and dangerous microorganisms that accumulate everywhere in our body. You can take it three times a day for seven days or once a day for a month. In this case, you should also take some supplements with probiotics or consume several probiotic foods, as the continuous use may disrupt the intestinal microflora.

Feet and Nail Fungus

Grapefruit extract has very rapid effects on fungi of nails and feet. Apply it insoluble with a cotton swab to clean nails or feet, depending on where the problem is detected. To prevent the fungus from returning, continue treatment for 2 months.

Allergies

High dose of vitamin C makes grapefruit extract ideal for those who experience allergies. Dissolve several drops in a glass of water and consume 3 times a day for at least a week, the periods of time you are most prone to allergies.

Oral hygiene

Grapefruit seed extract can be a solution in various problems in the oral cavity. If you suffer from oral aphthous ulcers, make your own oral solution, dissolving a few drops of grapefruit extract in water and mouthwash. If there is a more severe stomatitis problem, increase the dose by dissolving about 10 drops in water.

For gum inflammation and dental plaque add 1-2 drops to your toothbrush as you wash your teeth. Continue with mouthwash by dissolving some drops of the extract in water. The same mouthwash you can use if you suffer from unpleasant breathing, and if the problem comes from the stomach you can drink some of it.

Grapefruit Extract in Shampoo?

If you suffer from irritations and rashes in the scalp or if dandruff and dry skin have become a permanent problem in your head, you can dissolve a few drops of grapefruit extract in the quantity of shampoo you will use and lightly massage your head for 2 minutes. Use twice a week when the problem is intense and then once for maintenance.

Recently, research has shown that adding grapefruit extract in the kids shampoo can free them from lice! Add drops in kids shampoo; apply on their hair for 10-20 minutes and see lice disappear. Repeat treatment after 10 days for any residuals.

Grapefruit seed extract and side effects

As efficient as the grapefruit extract might be, the more attention you have to pay. Very often grapefruit and its extract interact with drugs that we may receive. This is due to the ability of grapefruit to inhibit some enzyme systems in our body that are involved in drug metabolism. This increases drugs concentration in the blood, resulting in high risk of becoming toxic, as it is similar to overdosing.

In addition, grapefruit seed extract can affect gut microflora – the “good” bacteria. So if you are taking it for more than three days, you should also take some probiotic supplement before consuming  it.

So bring miraculous grapefruit extract in your life, but beware! Be sure you know about its uses and the interactions it has with some drugs so as not facing undesirable results. Ask your doctor if you are on medication and avoid it if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

In Vita4you.gr you will find a great variety in products with grapefruit seed extract!

Sources:

www.webmd.com

www.universityhealthnews.com