An Affair to Remember – with Grapefruit?

I have been in love with all things grapefruit since my childhood, so we are talking some 58 years plus here. Grapefruit in the morning for breakfast was my absolute favorite. Keep your Cocoa Puffs, Rice Krispies and Cap’n Crunch, your bacon and sausages and waffles and pancakes and give me the naked grapefruit sliced in half or cut into sections. It was, and still is, the best way to start my day. Oh, and back then, a bit of sugar sprinkled on top was magical. Today, I like it “au naturale”.

Fresh or canned fruit was pretty much it when wanting the tangy twist of citrus on your taste buds, except for Fresca, Squirt and 50/50 sodas. Today you can find grapefruit in beer, vodka, sparkling water, wine coolers, lotions, body washes, facial care and bath salts. People are even grilling grapefruits! Why has it become so popular you ask?  Well, I think it’s because the scent and properties of grapefruit have multiple benefits. It brings out the inner child and calms frustration and is a wonderful essential oil to use in body and hair care products. Grapefruits support clear, healthy skin can help to lower our risk for many diseases and conditions and may even help with weight loss as part of an overall healthy and varied diet.

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. On this I wholeheartedly agree!

Because cravings — especially for sugar, salt, fats and carbs — are closely related to stressful feelings, grapefruit can help minimize emotional eating. But according to study findings, the smell of grapefruit oil has even more powerful effects when it comes to fat-burning responses within the brain. 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. And who doesn’t LOVE that aspect of Grapefruit.

Thanks to this Love Affair I have – I use Grapefruit Essential Oil in a lot of the products I make for my company. The essential oil derived from grapefruit is an incredible addition to many applications. My favorites are in shampoos, body washes, deodorants and hydrating body sprays. I personally choose to use these products year-round because the scent and benefits are so uplifting. My customers seem to think so too, I am constantly making new batches of those products bi-weekly!

If you are interested in making some of your own homemade products using Grapefruit Essential Oil please refer to these guidelines.  Grapefruit oil is very concentrated and should be diluted before use. Carrier oils like almond oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and olive oil are effective choices. While grapefruit oil has a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status, it should not be taken internally without the advice or supervision of an experienced practitioner or health professional. The citrus oil may also cause allergic reaction when applied topically. To be sure, have a skin patch test before use – apply a drop to a small area and observe if a reaction appears.

Some of my favorite uses for Grapefruit Essential Oil:
Diffuser ~ Add a few drops to an aromatherapy diffuser when inhaled, grapefruit oil can help curb hangovers, headaches, mental fatigue, and depression.
Bath soak – .All you need is approximately 10 drops in your bathtub of warm to hot water and you should find some relief for muscle and joint pain, menstrual cramps, and headaches.
Air freshener and deodorizer – Its fragrance is similar to citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. It can eliminate unpleasant odors in kitchens and bathrooms.

Massage – Use a 5% dilution in carrier oil for massage to relieve menstrual cramps. This can also work in relieving headache, muscle pain, and arthritis.

Try some grapefruits – in whatever form you choose – you will feel the joy!