NaturalSociety April 6 2014
Grapefruit seed extract (GSE), not to be confused with grape seed extract, offers anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-parasite, and anti-fungal properties without side effects. Continue reading to discover 5 ways you can use grapefruit seed extract to boost your health and tackle disease, as well as the many health benefits of grapefruit.
Grapefruit seed extract is extracted from the crushed seeds and pulp of grapefruit and is sold in liquid or capsule form. Capsules are suited for those who can’t tolerate the bitter taste of grapefruit seed extract liquids. One capsule usually equals ten drops of the liquid. However, the liquid form offers more uses. But it has to be diluted or it will irritate the skin and eyes.
Grapefruit seed extract has a high success rate for eliminating Candida (1), along with the right dietary approach of avoiding alcohol, sugar, and refined carbohydrates and starches. Adding probiotic foods or supplements should be part of that protocol’s foundation as well.
Begin with 10 drops, or one capsule, between meals twice daily in water or juice. After three days, bump the dosage to 15 drops daily for seven days. Then use the same 15 drop dosage three times daily for another two to three weeks. This protocol has been highly successful, according to this source.
Whether probiotics have to be added for any other internal GSE use for infectious diseases is remain to be seen, but it’s preferable to be safe and maintain probiotic levels with the sources of your choice.
GSE has the unique acidic citric property of being buffered by the body’s pH system into an alkalizing producing agent.
External Uses for GSE
Another use is external, but indirectly internal: Purifying dirty or otherwise non-potable water (2). Water collected from ponds or rivers should first be filtered to remove obvious sediment and other solid matter.
Add 10 to 25 drops of GSE, depending on the water source, to each gallon of water. Shake and let it sit for a few minutes. This GSE water treatment is considered effective for ridding amoebas and other parasites as well as most pathogenic bacteria. So carry a small container of GSE when you go camping or fishing.
Skin irritations can be treated topically with GSE (3). Acne is one of them. First moisten your face, then put a couple of drops of GSE on your wet hands. This should offer sufficient dilution to avoid irritation. Rub your wet hands with GSE onto your wet face with a circular motion. Let is set for a moment then pat dry.
Never put undiluted GSE extract onto dry skin and always avoid getting it into your eyes. Other skin conditions can be treated with one to three drops of GSE in one tablespoon of water, depending on the sensitivity of the treated area. Those conditions include dandruff, nail fungus, ringworm, and several others.
This same dilution of GSE can be used as a mouthwash or in neti pots as a nasal disinfectent (4). Expect a tingling sensation to occur on areas where GSE is applied.
GSE can be used as a disinfecting vegetable rinse as well (5). Add 20 drops into a large container or sink full of cold water and let fruits and vegetables soak for a short time. Adding 10 to 20 drops into a quart of water with a spray nozzle can be used to disinfect meat and poultry as well as table tops and cutting boards.
Additional Sources
- AppliedHealth