I’m not a huge fan of grapefruit; my husband loves it and I can grapefruit juice for him. But I’d rather have an orange or something flavored with real lemon as far as citrus goes. Grapefruit oil, however, is a different story! The smell is so fresh and uplifting. It helps get you moving in the morning or in the late afternoon when you’ve used up all the caffeine from the morning coffee.
Unlike many other essential oils grapefruit oil is a relatively new oil because grapefruit is a relatively new fruit, as far as fruits go. It’s actually a hybrid between pomeloes and sweet oranges that was cultivated in the 18th century.
I call it the good mood essential oil. With a moody teenageer in the house it comes in handy. I have had to talk him out of a “bad mood” (i.e. into doing a little work) on more than one occasion. I have literally seen his mood change as soon as he asks me, “what is that smell?” a phrase that usually doesn’t have a pleasant answer in my house full of boys.
Grapefruit oil can be taken as a supplement and I often use it as a natural appetite suppressant in my never ending battle with weight control. I usually put a few drops in my glass of water along with a few drops of stevia. You can even put a few slices of fresh grapefruit or some other citrus fruit for a great tasting infusion.
Blends Well With:
Basil, Bergamot, Clove, Frankincense, Lavender, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang
Plant Parts Used:
Rind (peel)
Extraction:
Cold pressed from the rind.
How To Use Oil
Health
Addictions–Grapefruit oil is said to help with minor addictions. Those of us with OCD can relate. Defuse a few drops of grapefruit oil when you feel like overeating or when you feel like engaging in a habit you’d like to break.
Weight Loss–Grapefruit oil curves carvings and helps clear your head so you can make healthy food choices.
Helps With Acne–Grapefruit oil is antiseptic – you can add a few drops to witchazel to make an astringent to use on acne.
Immune Health–Grapefruit oil contains vitamin C which helps to maintian a heathly immune system.
Mood
Hangovers–No one likes the way a hangover makes you feel. Be sure to drink plenty of water, plus diffusing a few drops of grapefruit oil will at least help your spirit and energy level.
Stress and Depression–Grapefruit oil, with it’s clean fresh scent, has away of taking your mind off of the negative things going on around you.
Uplifting–Even if you’re not stressed or depressed, but maybe have the blahs, diffusing grapefruit oil can help lift your spirits and give you energy.
Brain Fog–Along with it’s uplifting properties, grapefruit oil, as with other citrus oil, can help you focus with its light clean aroma.
Cleaning/Other
All Purpose Cleaner–Grapefruit oil has natural antibacterial and disinfectant properties so it make a great all purpose cleaner. Mix a few drops with some vinegar and you’ll have a great smelling natural cleaner.
Combat Odors–grapefruit oil is my go to oil when it comes to fighting odors. Add a few drops and a few pieces of ice to your garbage disposal to keep it smelling fresh.
Blends
All Purpose Cleaner
10 drops grapefruit oil
2c vinegar
Place all ingredients in a spray bottle
Oily Skin Mousse
4 drops grapefruit oil
2 drops cypress oil
2 drops myrtle
3 ½ t aloe vera
1 t carrier oil (I like almond oil)
Mix 3t aloe vera and carrier. After the mixture starts to thicken add another ½ t of aloe vera until creamy. Apply to affected area and leave on for a few hours or overnight.
Pick-Me-Up Blend
Diffuse:
4 drops grapefruit oil
2 drops frankincense oil
Cautions
Grapefruit oil is phototoxic. Do not go into the sun 24 hours after applying it to the skin. Also it is well documented that grapefruit juice can interfere with medications. It’s not clear how grapefruit oil will react with different medications so always check with your doctor if you are considering using it as a supplement and ingesting it.
Don’t forget that I highly recommend Spark Naturals for all your essential oil needs and when you use coupon code AWCOW you’ll get 10% off your purchase. Click here to order their grapefruit oil.
