What is grapefruit essential oil?
Some might say that grapefruit is a lemon that saw an opportunity and took it. In this case, grapefruit essential oil is a little easier to love for all its health benefits without having to eat the fruit. But if you do enjoy the citrusy, somewhat sweet, somewhat bitter or sour taste of the fruit, then we support your decision.
Grapefruit was created by crossing the orange from China with the pomelo from Indonesia. Grapefruit was first developed in the Caribbean in the 17th century, although China continues to be a leading producer, with the USA and Mexico contributing significantly as well.
To start, grapefruit essential oil is an orange-tinted citrus oil that is produced through cold pressing the rinds. The pith and rinds of grapefruit contain a wealth of health benefits. This beautifully colored essential oil has unique properties that offer health benefits which include reducing stress levels, balancing mood and potentially helping with acne.
Grapefruit essential oil - quick facts
🍊 Latin name: Citrus paradisi
🍊 Country of origin: 🇨🇳 China, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇺🇸 USA, 🇻🇳 Vietnam
🍊 Scent note: Top
🍊 Annual production: Between 1.6 and 2mℓ of grapefruit essential oil with
1KG of grapefruit
🍊 Popular uses: Skin, hair, weight loss, mood
How is grapefruit essential oil made?
Grapefruit essential oil is made by cold pressing the rinds of the fruit to extract the oil from the glands found in the peel. The peel of the fruit contains highly potent plant-based chemicals, like d-limonene, a-pinene, sabinene and β-myrcene that are used for healing routines.
Cold pressing is the preferred method as citrus does not do well with heat. In a cold compression, the oil glands are ruptured as the peels are exposed to high pressure. This method naturally separates the oil from the juice and allows for the oil to be collected and processed separately.
Benefits of grapefruit essential oil
Grapefruit has been used around the world for the past few hundred years as an antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, which is why it is so popular in today’s holistic approaches. Some of the main benefits of grapefruit oil include:
- 🍊 Weight loss
- 🍊 Cardiovascular support
- 🍊 Boosting mood
- 🍊 Relieving stress
- 🍊 Skin care and hair care
- 🍊 Antibacterial and antifungal properties
Let's take a look at each of these benefits of grapefruit oil in more detail.
Grapefruit Essential Oil for Weight loss
A healthy appetite is a good thing. But, if you find that you have an overactive appetite and want to help suppress the cravings, using grapefruit essential oil for weight loss may help. Believe it or not, just smelling it a few times a week can help reduce your appetite!
Grapefruit Essential Oil for Cardiovascular health
Grapefruit has numerous benefits for your cardiovascular health. If you’re looking for a natural way to regulate your blood sugar and reduce fat formation, grapefruit aromatherapy has been clinically shown to help control blood sugar and fat storage in the body.
Grapefruit Essential Oil to Uplift Mood
If you’re looking for alternatives to pharmaceuticals to improve your mental health, add grapefruit oil to your repertoire. Being an uplifting scent, grapefruit essential oil will help boost your mood and re-energize you when you’re feeling down.
Grapefruit Essential Oil for Stress relief
Just the scent of zesty grapefruit essential oil is enough to uplift, soothe and provide a sense of calm, which of course means stress levels come down as you start to feel more relaxed and at peace. Inhaling the essential oil can help relieve stress, and using it as aromatherapy within your home gives it an energizing, positive atmosphere.
Grapefruit Essential Oil for Skin care and hair care
Grapefruit essential oil might just be the secret ingredient your beauty routine has been missing. If you’re after that healthy, young and radiant glow, the antibacterial properties from the oil in the grapefruit can prevent skin irritations and refresh your skin, including helping with eczema, when used topically.
Grapefruit essential oil and other citrus essential oils often have natural anti-inflammatory properties (not to mention their powerful antioxidant activities to boot). The compound responsible for reducing inflammation is called limonene, and studies have shown that citrus oils can reduce inflammation.
Grapefruit is known to be rich in vitamin C, and we all know that vitamin C is vital to collagen production and healthy skin and is a powerful anti-aging antioxidant.
You may also want to try grapefruit essential oil for hair care. It’s a popular ingredient to use in hair treatments to give you shiny, healthy hair.
Grapefruit Essential Oil for Antibacterial and antifungal properties
As with many essential oils, the antimicrobial properties in grapefruit make it a good disinfectant. Not only can grapefruit oil help protect your body from infection, but it can also help you recover from existing infections. You can also use grapefruit essential oil as a natural cleaning agent in your home while giving your living space a fresh, zesty, uplifting and health-giving aroma.
How to use grapefruit essential oil
Grapefruit essential oil can be used in a variety of ways, depending on its intended purpose.
Here are some of the most common ways to use grapefruit essential oil:
- 🍊 Aromatherapy
- 🍊 Topical application
- 🍊 A relaxing bath
Let’s take a look at each of these uses of grapefruit essential oil in more detail.
Aromatherapy with grapefruit essential oil
How to use grapefruit essential oil for weight loss? Simple: just smell it! If you have a diffuser, you’ll want to get your hands on grapefruit essential oil today.
Between its health benefits and filling your home with a fresh aroma while keeping yourself and your family safe from bacteria and setting a positive atmosphere in your home, this beautifully colored and fragrant oil is perfect to diffuse throughout your home .
You can also inhale it directly. If you opt for an inhalation method, you can help your body fight bloating and water retention, get rid of headaches (it’s also good for hangovers), reduce stress and boost your overall mood if you battle with depression.
For a quick pick-me-up or an emergency appetite suppressant, simply rub a few drops of grapefruit oil with a carrier oil between your palms and inhale, or simply open the essential oil bottle and take a whiff!
Apply grapefruit essential oil topically
Topical application is of course the best way to benefit from grapefruit essential oil’s skin health and hair care benefits.
When you apply grapefruit essential oil to your skin, it should always be diluted with a safe carrier oil such as jojoba oil, blueberry seed oil, plum oil, rosehip oil or fractionated coconut oil, as well as olive oil, grapeseed oil and avocado oil. Combine 1 teaspoon of carrier oil with 1 drop of essential oil and rub the oil mixture on any part of the body, avoiding the eyes and genitalia.
Please also consider doing a patch test before applying the oil all over your face – a patch test would be applying a small amount of oil to a small, obscure area of the skin to ensure that your skin doesn’t have a reaction.
Bath time with grapefruit essential oil
Treat yourself to a lovely, warm bubble bath and add a few drops of grapefruit essential oil so that you can soak up all the goodness – both aromatherapy and topical – that grapefruit has to offer. You’ll come out feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and in a positively good mood.
Grapefruit essential oil research
Grapefruit essential oil is the subject of a surprising amount of research. Studies have found that grapefruit essential oil is effective in many ways.
Grapefruit essential oil for weight loss - 2003, 2005
When looking at using grapefruit essential oil for weight loss and limiting food cravings, research from 2003 shows that the aroma of the essential oil activates a sympathetic nerve response, helping in burning white fat.
A follow-up study in 2005 found that grapefruit essential oil also helped burn brown fat reserves and that being exposed to the scent for 15 minutes three times a week reduced appetite and body weight.
Grapefruit essential oil for cardiovascular health - 2018
A study on rats found that inhaling the scent of grapefruit essential oil before eating reduced post-meal blood sugar levels, showing that grapefruit essential oil is handy to have on hand for those struggling to control their blood sugar.
A review of other effects of grapefruit essential oil also points out that it is known as the “dieter’s friend”, it reduces the formation or growth of fat cells, and it can reduce excess fluid in the body, making it somewhat of a diuretic.
Grapefruit essential oil for mood and stress - 2016, 2019
The effects of grapefruit were studied in rats, particularly its anxiolytic effect. When exposed to stressful situations, the rats showed less anxiety-related behavior and more exploratory behavior after being exposed to grapefruit for two weeks.
Another study in mice showed that hesperidin, a compound found in grapefruit, had antidepressant activity on the mice during unpredictable, stressful events evidenced by its anti-inflammatory effects.
Grapefruit essential oil for skin care and hair care - 2013, 2022
Grapefruit essential oil is a powerful antibacterial and antifungal oil, being found effective against multiple strains of both including Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, E. coli, Klebsellia pneumonia, Pseudococcus, Salmonella typhmurium, Shigella flexneri and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Penicillium chrysogenum.
A recent study found that grapefruit essential oil protects against skin inflammation and skin cell damage caused by Staphylococcus aureus, the most common bacteria that causes infections of the skin.
This evidence makes grapefruit essential oil an ideal choice for skin care, hair and scalp care, DIY cleaning products and more.
Side effects of grapefruit essential oil
Skin irritation
Avoid grapefruit essential oil that has oxidized because it will pose greater risk of skin sensitization. You can tell if the essential oil has oxidized by the change in its color or smell; the color will be less bright than usual and the smell will be off. The oil tends to last one to two years.
Once you have applied grapefruit essential oil topically, avoid going out in the sun for a couple of hours. It can cause photosensitivity, meaning it may cause you to burn in the sun.
If you have sensitive skin, it would be best to consult your practitioner before using the oil topically to avoid skin irritations or rashes.
Respiratory issues
Essential oils can be quite potent, and some can irritate the respiratory system rather than help. If you or someone you live with has asthma, it might be best to avoid using the essential oil, especially in the form of aromatherapy.
Toxic to pets
Keep your fur babies away from grapefruit essential oil because their systems are a lot more sensitive than ours and may cause them more harm than good. This oil is highly toxic to animals, so keep the oil in a safe place where they cannot get hold of it and avoid applying the oil on them or allowing them to lick you after you’ve applied it; the benefits it may have on you are not the same for animals.
Also, when diffusing the oil, be sure to leave a door open to the room you’re diffusing the oil in to allow an escape route for pets if the smell irritates them.
Contraindications of grapefruit essential oil
We recommend consulting a qualified healthcare practitioner prior to using this product for therapeutic purposes, particularly for those who are pregnant, nursing, who have pre-existing medical conditions or for those taking medication. Grape is fruit known to interact with many medications, making them less effective or potentially dangerously effective; so if you’re on medication, absolutely check with your doctor before using grapefruit essential oil topically.
Grapefruit essential oil must not be used near the eyes, inner nose, ears, or on any areas of the skin that are known to be sensitive. This product should always be stored in an area that is inaccessible to children, particularly those under the age of 7.
Where to buy grapefruit essential oil
Grapefruit essential oil is widely available online and in stores. When purchasing grapefruit oil, be sure to look for a 100% pure essential oil - not an extract. This ensures that you're getting an authentic product with all the therapeutic benefits of grapefruit. If it’s organic, even better!
Here are some of the places where you can purchase grapefruit essential oil.
Volant
At Volant, all our essential oils are produced using only the highest-quality plants, which are harvested and distilled with the utmost care. You can rest assured that when you purchase grapefruit essential oil from volant, you'll receive 100% pure and organic essential oil with no additives or synthetic ingredients. This ensures that you receive the greatest possible benefit from your grapefruit essential oil.
Amazon
Amazon is a popular place to shop for essential oils. It's important to note that Amazon is a marketplace rather than a store, so there are many different businesses selling essential oils through Amazon. For this reason, we'd recommend checking the ingredients and reviews of any essential oil that you choose to purchase through Amazon, as not all essential oils sold on the platform are pure, organic, and trusted.
Pharmacies
If you prefer in-person shopping and holding the product in your hand to get a better idea of what you’re buying, then you may find that your local pharmacies will have what you’re looking for. Always check that the oil you're buying is an essential oil rather than an extract and that it is 100% pure.
doTERRA
doTERRA is a company that manufactures organic essential oils, including grapefruit essential oil. If you’re looking for a 100% pure grapefruit oil for your beauty routine, to energize you or to help manage your weight, then get your hands on grapefruit essential oil from doTERRA.
Grapefruit essential oil FAQs
Can you apply grapefruit essential oil directly on the skin?
Yes. But always dilute grapefruit essential oil with a safe carrier oil. But don’t put it on your skin just before going out in the sun as it can cause your skin to burn. It can also be added to bath water with some carrier oil to soak up the goodness and rejuvenation benefits of the oil.
What does grapefruit essential oil mix well with?
Grapefruit is usually used as a top note in perfumery, and it is found to blend well with other citrus and spicy essential oils. You can also blend grapefruit essential oil with peppermint, basil, cedarwood, lavender, ylang-ylang, rosemary, frankincense and geranium essential oils.
Is grapefruit essential oil good for sleep?
Grapefruit essential oil is considered an uplifting essential oil but that doesn’t mean that it won’t help you sleep. The essential oil also helps you relax, and you might find that when blending a few drops of grapefruit with peppermint, lavender or chamomile essential oils, the blend of aromas will have a wonderful calming effect on the mind and body so you can have the best sleep.
What does grapefruit essential oil smell like?
Grapefruit essential oil is a citrus fruit that gives a fresh, tangy scent that is quite similar to that of a lime (a hint bitter) but somehow sweeter.
In summary
Grapefruit essential oil has an abundance of natural health benefits, and the biggest take away here is that diffusing the oil will certainly improve your mood and give an uplifting atmosphere to your home with its fresh, citrusy fragrance. Just the smell can even help curb your appetite and support your weight loss efforts!
Self-care is essential, so whether you choose to treat yourself by applying the oil to your skin or hair, do an inhalation routine or simply relax in the bath with some drops of grapefruit essential oil, you’ll feel reinvigorated before you know it.
We’re here to help if you have any questions about grapefruit essential oil. You can contact our support team at support@volantaroma.com and we will be more than happy to assist you with any questions you may have!