I encourage my patients to eat lots of pink grapefruit. It’s so easy to find here in South Florida. In fact, many of my patients have grapefruit trees growing right in their own backyards.
But most doctors only mention this luscious fruit when they tell you to avoid it.
That’s because grapefruit and grapefruit juice interfere with some of Big Pharma’s drugs.
Here’s why…
Grapefruit is a powerful detoxifier. It contains a flavonoid called naringenin that is also a potent antioxidant. It binds to toxins and helps flush them from your body.
And what do you think Big Pharma’s drugs are?
Toxins!
Rather than avoiding grapefruit, you’d be better off avoiding the drugs. Besides detoxing your body, grapefruit has a long list of health benefits.
One of the best ways to get the benefits of pink grapefruit is by using its essential oil. In fact, I advise my patients to use pink grapefruit oil for a whole host of health and beauty benefits.
Pink grapefruit essential oil comes from the peel of the fruit. It has a bright scent of citrus that energizes and lifts your spirits. Science proves it…
Just inhaling grapefruit oil can lower your blood pressure. And the vapors quickly activate the part of your brain that controls emotions.
In one Japanese study, people who inhaled grapefruit essential oil had a 1.5- to 2.5-fold increase in the activity of their sympathetic nervous system. They improved their mood, reduced stressful feelings, and even lowered their blood pressure.1
Your skin especially loves pink grapefruit essential oil. Like the fruit itself, the oil is rich in antioxidants, especially vitamins C and A, and lycopene.2
But its main constituent is limonene (up to 95% of the oil). Limonene is known to fight tumors and prevent cancer. It protects DNA and cells from damage.
This amazing oil also has a unique effect on the lymphatic system. It helps boost the activity of lymph glands. This can prevent problems like poor circulation, cellulite and fluid retention. It even helps burn excess fat.
Grapefruit oil also acts as a gentle skin cleanser with powerful antimicrobial action. That makes it perfect for fighting bacteria and the excess oils that can cause acne blemishes. It also helps heal wounds, cuts, and bites, and prevents skin infections.
The oil also supports your skin’s immune system. It helps fight off the aging effects of air pollution, as well as DNA damage from too much sun exposure. That means fewer dark spots, lines and wrinkles.
Pink grapefruit oil can also give you thick lustrous hair. It helps stimulate hair follicles to promote faster growth. It can also fight dandruff and promote a healthy shine.
To get the health and beauty benefits of pink grapefruit essential oil, here’s what to do:
- Diffuse grapefruit oil. Add about five drops of grapefruit oil to a diffuser. This helps lift your mood, relieve stress, regulate blood pressure, and let go of bloating.
- Inhale grapefruit oil. Don’t have a diffuser? Place one to three drops of the oil into your palms and rub your hands together. Cup the hands together over your nose, and slowly inhale the aroma for a few minutes. Drink eight ounces of pure water after inhaling the oil.
- Add to your personal care products. Add a drop of grapefruit oil to face creams, soaps and body lotions just before applying. It can even help reduce the appearance of cellulite.
- Relieve acne. Mix a few drops of grapefruit oil with an equal amount of jojoba oil. Apply once or twice a day to the affected area. Just remember to wait at least an hour before going into the sun… grapefruit oil can make your skin more sensitive to UV light.
- Make a hair cleanser. Add a few drops of grapefruit essential oil to your shampoo or conditioner. It will help reduce grease, sweat and bacteria. At the same time it will promote growth, and add volume and a lustrous shine.
Always look for organic cold-pressed pink grapefruit essential oil. Other types of oil may have traces of pesticides and other harsh chemicals.
And grapefruit oil is very concentrated. Dilute it before using it directly on the skin. Add it to a carrier oil like sesame oil, jojoba oil or coconut oil.
You might also want to do a patch test before using grapefruit oil… some people are allergic to citrus or can get some irritation. Just apply a drop to a small area and see if a reaction appears. Children and women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid grapefruit oil.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD, CNS
1 Haze S, Sakai K, Gozu Y. “Effects of fragrance inhalation on sympathetic activity in normal adults.” Jpn J Pharmacol. 2002;90(3):247-53.
2 Organic Facts, “Health Benefits of Grapefruit Essential Oil.” Accessed 2/7/2017