Essential oil grapefruit benefits have a lot. Grapefruit essential oil is also used to reduce stress, stimulate circulation, increase energy, enhance mood, and improve digestion. Studies have shown that grapefruit essential oil is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants have been shown to help the body fight against cancer. Here we are going to discuss the benefits of essential oil grapefruit.
Essential Oil Grapefruit Benefits
Helps to Boost Weight Loss
Ever been told that grapefruit is one of the best fruits to eat for weight loss and fat-burning? Well, that’s because some of grapefruit’s active ingredients work to boost your metabolism and reduce your appetite. When inhaled or applied topically, grapefruit oil is known to lower cravings and hunger, which makes it a great tool for losing weight fast in a healthy way. Of course, using grapefruit oil alone isn’t going to make all the difference — but when it’s combined with dietary and lifestyle changes, it can be beneficial.
Grapefruit essential oil also works as an excellent diuretic and lymphatic stimulant. This is one reason why it’s included in many cellulite creams and blends that are used for dry brushing. Additionally, grapefruit can be very effective for shedding excess water weight loss since it helps kick-start a sluggish lymphatic system.
Researchers from the Nagata University School of Medicine in Japan found that grapefruit has a “refreshing and exciting effect” when inhaled, which suggests an activation of sympathetic nerve activity that helps control body weight.
In their animal study, the researchers found that grapefruit’s activation of sympathetic nerve activity has an effect on white adipose tissue within the body that’s responsible for lipolysis. When rats inhaled the grapefruit oil, they experienced increased lipolysis, which resulted in suppression in body weight gain.
Works as Natural Antibacterial Agent
Grapefruit oil has antimicrobial effects that help reduce or eliminate harmful strains of bacteria that enter the body through contaminated foods, water, or parasites. Research shows that grapefruit oil can even fight strong bacterial strains that are responsible for food-borne illnesses, including E. Coli and salmonella.
Grapefruit is also used to kill skin or internal bacteria and fungus, fight mold growth, kill parasites in animal feeds, preserve food, and disinfect water.
A lab study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that when the grapefruit-seed extract was tested against 67 distinct biotypes that were both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, it showed antibacterial properties against all of them.
Helps to Reduce Stress
The smell of grapefruit is uplifting, soothing, and clarifying. It’s known to relieve stress and bring on feelings of peace and relaxation.
Research suggests that inhaling grapefruit oil or using it for aromatherapy within your home can help turn on relaxation responses within the brain and even lower your blood pressure naturally. Inhaling grapefruit vapors can quickly and directly transmit messages to your brain region involved in controlling emotional responses.
A 2002 study published in the Journal of Japanese Pharmacology investigated the effects of grapefruit oil fragrance inhalation on sympathetic brain activity in normal adults and found that grapefruit oil (along with other essential oils like peppermint oil, estragon, fennel, and rose essential oil) significantly affected brain activity and relaxation.
The adults who inhaled the oils experienced a 1.5- to 2.5-fold increase in relative sympathetic activity that improved their mood and reduced stressful feelings. They also experienced a noticeable reduction in systolic blood pressure compared with inhalation of an odorless solvent.
Helps to Relieve Hangover Symptoms
Grapefruit oil is a powerful gallbladder and liver stimulant, so it can help stop headaches, cravings, and sluggishness following a day of drinking alcohol. It works to increase detoxification and urination while putting a hold on cravings that can occur due to hormonal and blood sugar level changes resulting from alcohol.
Reduces Sugar Cravings
Feel like you’re always looking for something sweet? Grapefruit oil may help to reduce sugar cravings and help kick that sugar addiction. Limonene, one of the primary components in grapefruit oil, has been shown to balance blood sugar levels and reduce appetite in studies involving rats. Animal studies also show that grapefruit oil affects the autonomic nervous system, which acts to regulate unconscious bodily functions, including functions related to how we handle stress and digestion.
Boosts Circulation and Reduces Inflammation
Therapeutic-grade citrus essential oils are known for their ability to help lower inflammation and increase blood flow. The blood vessel-dilating effects of grapefruit may be useful as a natural remedy for PMS cramps, headaches, bloating, fatigue, and muscle pains.
Research suggests that the limonene present in grapefruit and other citrus essential oils is what helps to reduce inflammation and helps to regulate the body’s cytokine production, or its natural immune response.
Aids Digestion
Increased blood to the digestive organs — including the bladder, liver, stomach, and kidneys — means that grapefruit oil also helps with detoxification. It has a positive effect on digestion, can help you shed fluid retention, and fights microbes within the intestines, gut, and other digestive organs.
A scientific review published in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism found that drinking grapefruit juice helps to promote metabolic detoxification pathways. Grapefruit may work similarly if it’s taken internally with water in small amounts, but there are no human studies to prove this yet.
Works as a Natural Energizer and Mood Booster
As one of the most popular oils used in aromatherapy, grapefruit oil can increase your mental focus and give you a natural pick-me-up. When inhaled, its stimulating effects also make it effective for reducing headaches, sleepiness, brain fog, mental fatigue, and even poor moods.
Grapefruit oil may even be beneficial for healing adrenal fatigue symptoms like low motivation, aches, and sluggishness. Some people like to use grapefruit as a mild, natural antidepressant since it can increase alertness while also calming nerves.
Citrus fragrances have proven to help restore stress-induced immuno-suppression and induce calm behavior, as observed in studies using mice. For example, in one study using rats that were forced to undergo a swim test, citrus fragrance reduced the time they were immobile and made them more reactive and alert. Researchers believe that the application of citrus fragrances for depressive patients can help reduce the doses of antidepressants needed by naturally lifting their mood, energy, and motivation.
Research also shows that grapefruit essential oil inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity, also known as AChE, according to a study done by the Department of Applied Chemistry at Kinki University in Japan. AChE hydrolyzes the neurotransmitter acetylcholine within the brain and is found mainly at neuromuscular junctions and brain synapses. Because grapefruit inhibits AChE from breaking down acetylcholine, both the level and duration of action of the neurotransmitter increase — which results in a person’s mood improving. This effect can help fight fatigue, brain fog, stress, and depression symptoms.
Helps to Fight Acne and Improve Skin Health
Many commercially made lotions and soaps contain citrus oils because of their antibacterial and anti-aging properties. Not only may grapefruit essential oil help to fight bacteria and greasiness that can cause acne blemishes, but it may also be useful for keeping your skin’s immunity strong against indoor and outdoor air pollution and UV light damage — plus it may even help you get rid of cellulite. Grapefruit essential oil has also been found to help heal wounds, cuts, and bites, and to prevent skin infections.
A 2016 study published in Food and Nutrition Research evaluated the efficacy of grapefruit polyphenols in decreasing an individual’s susceptibility to ultraviolet radiation and improving skin health. Researchers found that the combination of grapefruit oil and rosemary oil was able to inhibit UV ray-induced effects and inflammatory markers, thereby helping to avoid the negative effects that sun exposure can have on the skin.
Improves Hair Health
Lab studies show that grapefruit oil has antibacterial effects and enhances the susceptibility of microorganisms that are normally resistant. For this reason, grapefruit oil may help to cleanse your hair and scalp thoroughly when it’s added to your shampoo or conditioner. You can also use grapefruit oil to reduce greasy hair while adding volume and shine. Plus, if you color your hair, grapefruit oil might also be able to protect strands from sunlight damage.
Enhances Flavor
Grapefruit oil can be used to naturally add a touch of citrus flavor to your meals, seltzer, smoothies, and water. This helps to increase your satiety after eating, curb cravings for carbs and sweets, and improves digestion after a meal.
1 Drop Grapefruit Essential Oil Nutrition Facts
- Total Fat 0 g
- Saturated Fat 0 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 0 mg
- Total Carbohydrate 0 g
- Dietary Fiber 0 g
- Total Sugars 0 g
- Includes 0 g Added Sugars
- Protein 0 g
- Vitamin D 0 mcg
- Calcium 0 mg
- Iron 0 mg
- Potassium 0 mg
- Vitamin A 0 mcg
- Vitamin C 0 mg
Grapefruit Oil Recipe
Grapefruits come in different colors, sizes, and with a myriad of health benefits. They are nutritious and packed with Vitamin A, Protein, Potassium, Folate, Thiamine, and Magnesium that are all beneficial to the body. Grapefruits are also a great source of Vitamin C, which is known for its antioxidant properties that can help protect the body from harmful bacteria and free radicals. Grapefruits are also high in fiber and can help promote appetite control resulting in effective weight loss.
Grapefruits have other health benefits including reduced risk of diabetes, lower probability of contracting heart illnesses, and faster wound healing.
Drug Interaction
Grapefruit is truly one remarkable power fruit. However, you need to keep an eye out for possible drug interactions. Grapefruit may not be mixed with cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, HIV pills, anti-anxiety medication, erectile dysfunction prescription, and allergy medicines, as it could cause the medicines to either be more or less potent than intended. Always consult your doctor for foods that may interact with prescriptions. Other than that Grapefruits may be consumed by anyone any time of the day.
How to make Grapefruit Oil
- Prep Time: 5 mins, 3 days stand
- Yields: 2 cups
Ingredients
- ¼ cup minced grapefruit peel (see note)
- 2 cups canola, grapeseed, or safflower oil
Directions
- Combine the grapefruit peel with the oil and let stand, covered, at room temperature for 3 days; strain. The oil can be covered and stored at room temperature for up to 6 months.
Grapefruit Essential Oil Side Effects
Internal use of grapefruit essential oil may have toxic effects. In addition, some people experience irritation or an allergic reaction when applying grapefruit essential oil to the skin.
