As a child, I never could quite get over the bitterness of grapefruits and preferred oranges instead. However, as I grew older and became more aware of what I was eating and why, grapefruits became a steadfast part of my diet. To this day, in fact, I eat them on a regular basis.

I’m sure you’ve heard of calcium, a vital mineral. It’s necessary for maintaining a healthy body and is needed for key bodily functions, from your immune system to maintaining strong and healthy bones. It is usually considered the most important mineral in our bodies.

However, phosphorous is also important – it’s basically the second most important mineral we need to maintain a healthy body.

Phosphorous helps treat a wide variety of issues, such as flushing your kidneys from toxins, repairing your DNA cells, balancing your acid-base balance, and nerve and muscle function. Luckily for us, the humble grapefruit contains loads of phosphorus and calcium. So you don’t have to worry about spending money on those expensive multi-vitamin supplements anymore!

More Benefits Of Grapefruit

Grapefruit for your health.

Beyond simply increasing your mineral count, grapefruits also help to increase your body’s metabolism whilst adding fiber to your diet. This makes them ideal for weight loss. They contain loads of bioflavonoids and phytochemicals that can help to prevent against heart disease, constipation, fatigue, diabetes and even cancer!

So it’s little wonder that they’ve become a featured part of so many breakfast routines – including mine. If however, you don’t enjoy the taste and texture of the fruit –  fear not! We have just the thing you need – grapefruit essential oil!

What Is Grapefruit Essential Oil And How Is It Made?

The rind of the grapefruit is used to make essential oil.

Like most citrus oils, grapefruit essential oil is produced from the rind of the fruit (the skin). This happens through a process called steam distillation. It is the oldest known method of producing essential oil and is still generally regarded as the best means to do so. It produces the cleanest, highest grade of essential oil at a relatively low cost.

Through the steam distillation, the rinds of the grapefruit are removed from the fruit, as well as the white pith. Usually, the fruits are then used for juice, so that nothing is wasted.

The rind is then crushed, in order to release the essential phytochemicals and nutrients in it. The crushed rind is placed into a large vat that is filled with boiling water. As the water boils, the steam that is produced helps to extract the phytochemicals and nutrients from the organic matter.

This nutrient-rich vapor then flows into another cooling chamber, where it eventually condenses. When the droplets pool at the base of the tube, they form the liquid that we know as ‘essential oil’. The oil is now ready for further packaging or storage.

Are There Other Ways Of Extracting Essential Oil?

There are other methods with which to extract the oil. However, they generally contain the use of harmful hydrogenated or petroleum-based chemicals, as well as pure alcohol. The only problem with this approach is that the chemicals often remain (to some degree) in the finished product, and ultimately wind up in or on your body. So always be sure to check how your oil was produced if you’re going to use it for medicinal purposes.

Pure grapefruit essential oil is good for a variety of reasons. It can be used for weight loss, or for balancing insulin levels in diabetics. It’s a natural antioxidant that can help flush your body of harmful toxins, and can even help wounds heal faster. But I’ll discuss the properties of this amazing oil as we go on.

Grapefruit Essential Oil For Weight Loss

As I mentioned before, the grapefruit itself is a wonderful thing to have in your diet, especially if you’re looking to lose weight. There are just 52 calories in about a half a grapefruit, so it’s a good choice for a snack.

I highly recommend using the oil along with the fruit if you plan to lose weight, as the combination of the two is more effective. (Obviously, it’s important for you to exercise regularly and watch your diet as well).

Still, using grapefruit essential can help to reduce your hunger pangs quite well. It’s as easy as inhaling the scent directly from the carrier. The phytochemicals enter into your bloodstream, and help to cleanse and clear your lymph nodes. They also burn excess fat cells in your body, and suppress your hunger pangs if you’re an emotional eater. It’s an easy solution to assist with weight loss, and it’s well worth a try.

13 Grapefruit Essential Oil Benefits — Starting with Weight Loss http://t.co/YP5BJF3SaZ #essentialoils #weightloss pic.twitter.com/xZUYVPITXt

— Dr. Josh Axe (@drjoshaxe) July 17, 2015

Grapefruit Essential Oil For Hair Loss

Grapefruit essential oil can help fight against hair loss.

Hair loss isn’t just something that affects people in old or middle age; it can start as early as your mid 20’s. There are a variety of reasons for why hair loss may occur at any age. Some reasons are stress, a genetic disposition towards baldness, or poor vitamin and nutrient intake.

Unfortunately, most common shampoos don’t do much to help the issue. They generally contain a wide variety of toxic chemicals that can dry your hair out by washing away its natural oils, as well as cause chemical damage to sensitive hair types. Both of these are factors that can lead to hair loss.

Luckily for us, nature has provided us with natural alternatives that not only help to treat hair loss, but also promote hair growth and strong, healthy hair follicles. If you’re serious about a healthy head of hair, essential oils are definitely for you.

One of the main compounds in grapefruit oil is D-Limonene. This compound aids in reducing the formation of 5 Alpha-reductase.This chemical blocks your pores, which stops vital nutrients from passing into the hair follicles. By removing this chemical (through the use of grapefruit essential oil), you can help to slow or eventually stop hair loss completely.

Besides that, the oil will also penetrate the surface layer of your scalp and lead to increased blood circulation. This means that more nutrients will reach your hair, which is great for hair growth.

Grapefruit essential oil is particularly good for treating your hair. The natural antioxidants in the oil help to clear your scalp of any free-radicals that can lead to cell damage. The oil also helps to treat dryness or inflammation, which can cause dandruff. It keeps your hairs moisturized, which treats dandruff from the root cause (pun intended).

Grapefruit Essential Oil For Skin And Cellulite

A natural toner for oily skin

Cellulite is an annoying skin issue. It’s generally unavoidable, though we may try to prevent its onset for as long as possible.

There are treatments that can be very effective at removing cellulite. However, they aren’t quick-fixes. These treatments are often painful and costly, and involve lengthy or repeated surgeries (laser surgery, liposuction etc.). The non-surgical methods are just as expensive, and include a variety of pills or creams that don’t necessarily guarantee results.

Using grapefruit essential oil for cellulite is one of the cheapest, easiest, and most natural ways to help fight it. The oil penetrates into your skin, and breaks down the fat cells that gather to form the cellulite.

But it isn’t just great for cellulite. Grapefruit essential oil can also be used for a variety of other skin related issues! It can help to heal wounds and keep them disinfected. It acts as a natural antimicrobial agent, which means that it helps to kill off and remove bacteria that can lead to further infection.

Grapefruit oil can also be used as a natural skin toner. It helps to balance your skin’s natural oil levels, which is great for people with oily or combination skin types. Excess sebum generally leads to clogged pores (i.e. pimples), so getting rid of it is important for maintaining a healthy complexion. Simply apply the grapefruit oil to a cotton swab and wipe your face with it after your normal facial routine. Your skin will feel cleaner and fresher in no time!

How To Make Your Own DIY Grapefruit Oil: Method 1

Making your own DIY Grapefruit oil is really easy and can give you a great idea of what the essential oil will be like. However, I’d like to stress that this isn’t pure extracted essential oil, but is rather a blended mixture. It’s not as potent as the essential oil, but can still be used for your skin and hair, or in food. It’s great for blending with your essential oil for increased effects.

Basically, there are two ways to do this. The first is very simple, but time-consuming. Peel two grapefruits (you can also zest them). Once peeled, cut the rind into smaller pieces. You can either dry the pieces of rind in your oven at 45 – 50 degrees F, or leave them in a dry, sunny area for a few days. (Just be sure they’re guarded from birds, pests and harsh winds.)

Place them in a glass jar, along with either olive, canola or almond oil. Seal the jar tightly and shake well. Then leave the jar in a warm, sunny area for at least 2 weeks and shake well once a day. After the time passes, strain the oil with a cheesecloth filter. Then peel a fresh grapefruit and add the fresh pieces of rind to the oil. You can store this in a cool, dry cupboard or even refrigerate.

How To Make Your Own DIY Grapefruit Oil: Method 2

The other option is a lot quicker, but requires more patience and care. Repeat the same process for acquiring your rind pieces (2x grapefruit, cut into smaller pieces). Pour a cup of oil into a warm pan and allow it to simmer for 30 minutes to an hour (monitor closely to ensure it doesn’t burn). Then add the rind pieces, lower the heat slightly and cover the pan.

Allow the oil to continue simmering for at least 2 hours. Then, filter the oil through a cheesecloth filter and place it into a glass jar. Place the rinds in the oil and make sure the lid is well sealed. Be sure to shake well before use. It’s as easy as that!

Diffusing Grapefruit Essential Oil: Why It’s A Good Idea

Using grapefruit essential oil in a diffuser is a great way to discourage creepy crawlies from staying in your home.

Grapefruit essential oil has a very light, citrussy and floral odor. It blends well with other oils such as lemon, orange, neroli, frankincense, ylang ylang, bergamot, and peppermint.

The oil is great for relieving stress, so it can be a good idea in the bedroom or family room. Like most citrus fruits, the oil can also be used to deter flies, mosquitoes and other pests from entering your home. If you live in an area that’s prone to mosquitoes, be sure to keep some of the oil in your diffuser to keep them at bay.

If you’re trying to lose weight, place the diffuser in your kitchen to ward off hunger pangs.

Grapefruit essential oil is largely considered safe and non-irritant, so using it on a regular basis won’t have any negative effects.

Possible Dangers Of Using Essential Oils

As with most essential oils, there are a few words of caution that I would offer to anyone who’s new to them. Firstly, it’s important to consult a doctor before using any essential oils during pregnancy – or just stay away from them entirely.

They can easily get into your bloodstream, which is great for treating your health, but can also be transferred to your unborn child through the placenta. Because they are so potent, they can influence the birthing process and even the health of your child.

The same rule applies to children who are under the age of 6. The oils could affect their hormonal balance, which could have a negative effect on their development.

Also, make sure to patch test the oil on a small patch of skin before applying it regularly, to rule out allergy.

Conclusion

Basically, I feel that essential oils are always the best first means of treatment. They’re a lot healthier than the various chemical treatments you can buy, and often just as effective.

Essential oils, when used carefully, have no harmful side-effects, and can boost your body’s overall levels of health whilst treating specific ailments. There’s also no need to worry about addiction, which is a real concern with pills and the like. They’re cost-effective, easy to use, and give a wonderful smell and feeling to your home. All in all, essential oils are the way to go!