Essential Oils and Your Health                     learn, ask, share

Properties

Antidepressant
Antiseptic
Diuretic
Disinfectant

Wellness Uses

Cold & Flu Season
Disinfect Living Areas
Travel Protection

Common
Health Concerns

Acne
Cold and Flu
Constipation
Depression
Skin Conditions
Weight Loss

About Grapefuit

Grapefruit is a flavorful and refreshing oil that aids the immune system, lymphatic systems, and is very powerful as an antidepressant.  It will also freshen breath, heal inflamed gums.  Because it is a strong disinfectant, it is very effective as a cleaning spray or as fruit and vegetable wash. Some have used grapefruit for a scalp treatment others have had success using grapefruit in a weight loss program.  It is good treating the symptoms of colds and flu. Finally, grapefruit is used for skin treatment, especially for treating aging or loose skin.  DōTerra Grapefruit Essential Oil is of the botanical family Rutaceae, expressed from the peel of the fruit which is grown in the United States.

Typical Applications

Mix 3-5 drops with water or juice, then drink (2-3) times per day to aid diarrhea or allergies.  Mix and gargle or oil-pull 2-4 in a tablespoon of carrier or ¼ of water freshening breath or gum irritations.     Use in a lymphatic massage for lymph node stimulation and detoxifying – especially at the onset of cold or flu symptoms.  Mix 2%-5% with shampoo or conditioner for scalp problems or dandruff.  Leave in hair for 10 min. Add several drops to a large bowl or sink of water and wash fruits or vegetables.  Make a spritz and use on bed sheets, in cars, or on meat before refrigerating to kill bacteria, virus, or fungus.  Diffusing can also build immune system and kill pathogens.  Put a few drops in a cup of water and leave the toothbrush in overnight to disinfect. Use to disinfect cutting boards or kitchen surfaces.  Use a tissue cup for inhaling (3 X – deeply) prior to meals to inhibit appetite.  Use topically, diluted 5%-10% for skin conditioning. 

Precautions:   Be aware of prescription drugs that caution against using grapefruit while taking some medications (see note below).  May react to sunlight or UV rays. When using photosensitizing oil, wait a minimum of six hours before exposing skin to UV rays.  The stronger and more lengthy the UV ray, the longer the wait should be.

A note on grapefruit:    I have been doing some research on grapefruit, as there has once again been mention of concern with grapefruit oil and meds.  The compound naringin, found in the fruit of grapefruit, which causes problems with prescription meds by interfering with or amplifying the body’s ability to absorb the drugs, is not present in grapefruit essential oil.  You may still choose to avoid taking grapefruit oil internally, but with a little research, you will find that the ingredient of concern is not in the oils!  Tamalu