I am a citrus man, through and through. I love those fruits. It can be a lemon, a lime, an orange, a tangerine. Whatever it is, I will eat it (or use it as a seasoning), then lick my fingers once it’s gone. How’s that for a visual?
As much as I love eating and tasting the sweetness and tartness of citrus, some citrus fruit have other uses, other than nourishment and sustenance. One such example is that of the fruit which are transformed into essential oils. These oils are some of the most potent natural substances we know of, and they are used in so many industries. See where I’m going with this? Grapefruit Essential Oil – let’s break it down.
What is Grapefruit Essential Oil? Where Does It Come From?
Grapefruit Essential Oil
Among the different citrus fruit, one of the most polarizing is the grapefruit. It can be tart and downright bitter, depending on the season and location. Some love it, some love to hate it. But when it comes to the fruit’s essential oil, I believe we are all in agreement: it is one of the best and most useful citrus oils out there.
The grapefruit also has a botanical name, Citrus paradisi. Nice, huh? The fruit of paradise. The essential oil of the grapefruit is most often extracted by means of cold pressing, and sometimes by means of steam distillation. The skin or peel of the grapefruit undergoes a process where the oil is taken out of the fruit and put at our disposal. It is wonderful, and there is also a way to make your very own batch of grapefruit essential oil, and we will get to that later on. Right now, let’s talk a little bit about the benefits of this amazing fruit and its oil.
Top 3 Benefits Of Grapefruit Essential Oil
Grapefruit Essential Oil For Weight Loss
Grapefruit For Weight Loss
The essential oil of grapefruit has the ability to assist the body in the fat-burning process. The peel of the fruit is high in ingredients which support healthier metabolism, and which facilitate better digestion and a healthier lifestyle.
We’re all constantly looking for ways to lose weight. I have found that with me, it isn’t so much what I avoid – since I am pretty good with that – but rather what I consume, that makes a big difference. Thankfully, I don’t need to lose that much weight these days, but there were times when I was using this oil on a semi-daily basis, topically, in order to provide my body with better chances of overcoming cravings and mid-day hunger. Those afternoons in the office are notoriously bad for any diet.
Grapefruit Essential Oil For Hair Loss
Grapefruit Essential Oil For Hair Loss
Let’s get the obvious stuff out of the way: your hair will probably not grow back miraculously. Essential oils and other kinds of hair treatment are primarily meant to treat the hairs which are still on the top of your head. There is not much you can do for a hair follicle once it has “left the building.”
There are many ways of taking care of your hair, and some of these methods are designed to strengthen your locks, and prevent any future loss of hair. We all care about hair. I know that some attribute more things to it than others. I am not about to argue for or against that, it is simply a fact. If you are interested in helping your head of hair grow stronger and thicker, essential oil of grapefruit could definitely become part of your daily regimen. It may not revive old hairs which have left us, but it has the ability to provide your current head of hair with new life and vitality.
Some use grapefruit essential oil as part of a hair tonic, combined with other oils. The citrus substance can also be found in many hair care products, ranging from shampoos to masks and sprays.
Grapefruit Essential Oil For Skin & Cellulite
Grapefruit Essential Oil For Skin
Cellulite is well-known around the world. More commonly associated with women, though not found there exclusively, this is a skin condition which appears as bumps and lumps of varying shapes and sizes on the surface of the skin.
Generally, citrus essential oils are good for your skin, and the oil of grapefruit is no exception. Chock full of positive acidic properties, it is a substance which can have a serious effect on the way your skin looks and feels. The ingredients of grapefruit can help break down the cellulite, and assist in bringing about a healthy balance to the skin. Furthermore, the oil’s anti-inflammatory agents will help to keep the skin cells well, and will reduce the retention of water in the body, thereby also affecting the skin in a big way.
If you want younger, smoother, better-looking, better-feeling skin, consider adding grapefruit oil to your skin care routine. As with other kinds of essential oils, not everyone will be affected in the same way, but it is definitely worth a shot.
How To Make Your Own DIY Grapefruit Essential Oil
Grapefruit Essential Oil
Here are some basic instructions on creating your very own batch of grapefruit infusion oil. The actual essential oils can be very difficult to make, and we don’t all have the necessary machinery or knowhow. It may not be the classic essential oil, but it comes close in my book! What you’ll need:
Grapefruits.
Extra virgin olive oil (carrier oil, can be of another kind).
Mason jar (with lid).
Spoon or zest grater.
Cheesecloths.
Container or vial (glass only, dark glass recommended).
Instructions: Wash the fruit well. Remember, you are making pure essential oil, so try and keep the process as clean as you can, for the highest quality.
Remove the peels using a spoon or grater. The white parts (also known as pith) which exist underneath the rind are of no use, so feel free to remove those as well. They are bitter, and they serve no important role in the manufacturing process. What you want to end up with is the orange/yellow rind, and the smaller the peels the better.
Leave the peels to dry in an open space for a day or two. You want your oil to consist of as little moisture as possible, which is why it is best prepared when completely dry.
Place the peels in the mason jar, and add the carrier oil of your choice. Don’t add too much, since this can greatly affect the quality of the end product. Put the lid on the jar, and leave it exposed to sunlight for a couple of weeks.
After two weeks, transfer the contents of the jar into a bowl, which has been lined with several cloths. Using pressure, squeeze as much oil as you can out of the cloths and into the bowl. Once you have your oil, store it in a dark glass vial or container. If you watch out for oxygenation, it can last a long while.
Yes, it can. Like many other oils, there is some debate regarding its ability to be functional when diffused. Some say that diffusing essential oils actually robs them of their benefits, and offers nothing of substance for those who are partaking in the process. This has not been my experience, but I believe could be for some. We all react differently to different oils and methods of use.
I love putting a few drops of grapefruit essential oil on top of a carrier oil, blazing it up, and letting it work its magic. I can’t say whether or not it is of less or more benefit – I am not an expert – all I know is that when I have grapefruit oil burning in my room, it brings with it a great sense of peace, tranquility, and serenity.
Grapefruit Essential Oil Scent Described
I love the scent of this oil. Honestly, I have tried burning many oils, and I have had some very positive experiences when using them, whether topically or through inhaling their gentle fumes.
The scent of grapefruit essential oil is not unlike other citrus oils. It is strong, but not overpowering. It obviously retains some of the qualities of citrus: it is fresh but also somewhat bitter. It is a unique kind of scent, really, but if you are not aware of it, you could easily pass it off as a different citrus fruit. No problem with that, as far as I’m concerned. I love citrus oils of all kinds, and as long as it gets the job done, I’m fine with it.
Conclusion
With so many oils circulating, it can be a puzzling thing to find one which fits you best. And that should be the goal, by the way. Since we all react differently to various oils, and since the degree of effectiveness greatly depends on our situation or condition, the aim should be to find an oil which feels good and which does its job properly.
Please remember to consult a health care professional before beginning any kind of treatment – long or short term – with essential oil. Expecting and nursing women, and children under the age of five, need to take particular caution.
Grapefruits may not be everyone’s go-to piece of fruit to eat, but as far as its essential oil is concerned, it has a ton of benefits, and countless souls use it on a regular basis. Whether it is used topically, added to a hair care product, or diffused in a burner, this is one essential oils which will always hit the spot.
