What Are the Benefits of Grapefruit Essential Oil?

Grapefruit essential oil is Grapefruit oil, Grapefruit-scented often used in aromatherapy.

Through a method known as cold-pressing, oil is extracted from the glands in Grapefruit peel.

Grapefruit essential oil has different properties that might offer a variety of health benefits - including reducing blood pressure and stress levels.

Here are 6 benefits and the use of Grapefruit essential oil.

benefits of grapefruit essential oils

Benefits of Grapefruit Essential Oil

1. Can suppress appetite

For those who are looking to suppress overactive appetite, research shows that aromatherapy Grapefruit oil may be useful.

One study found that rats exposed to citrus essential oil scent for 15 minutes 3 times a week experienced decreased appetite, food intake, and weight (1).

A study shows that the aroma of Grapefruit essential oil increases gastal gastric nerve activity in mice, resulting in a lower appetite. These nerves play an important role in stimulating the production of stomach juices needed for digestion.

The same study also examined the effects of the aroma of limonene, an important component of Grapefruit essential oil. Odorous limonene has the same results in appetite suppression and food intake (2).

Although these results are promising, they're currently limited to animal studies. Further research on the effects of essential Grapefruit oil on humans is needed.

SUMMARY: The study limited animal studies but showed that the aroma of citrus essential oils can suppress appetite.

2. Can promote weight gain

Grapefruit essential oil can help you release additional weight, although research in this area is limited.

One study of these mice found that the aroma of Grapefruit essential oil was stimulated by fat tissue damage and caused a decrease in food intake (2).

Likewise, a study of IVF in rat fat cells showed that Grapefruit essential oil applied directly to cells inhibited the formation of fat tissue (3.

In addition, smeared essential oils have been observed to increase body weight in people.

For example, a study in postmenopausal women was evaluated using abdominal massage oil for weight loss (4).

Participants massage their stomach twice every day for five days every week and receive a full body aromatherapy massage using 3% Grapefruit oil, cypress, and three other oils once a week (4).

At the end of the six-week study, the results showed not only a decrease in abdominal fat but also a reduction in waist circumference in the group using essential oils (4).

However, the use of different oils makes it impossible to say whether the results can be attributed to special oil Grapefruits.

Keep in mind that the evidence for the benefits of weight loss is essential Grapefruit oil is very limited and of low quality. Further research is needed to confirm this effect before any claim can be made.

What's more, ingesting essential oils in additional doses is not recommended for humans.

SUMMARY: Rats and tubes have shown that citrus essential oils can reduce fat tissue and reduce appetite. One human study found that its use in massage therapy can help reduce abdominal fat, but more research is needed.

3. Can help balance Mood

Because of the side effects of some drugs used to treat anxiety and depression, many people seek alternative treatments (5).

Studies show that aromatherapy may be a complementary therapy that is useful for balancing moods and eliminating anxiety (6).

At present, there is little research on the effects of citrus essential oils, especially in this regard. However, the study links Grapefruit essential oil which contains the same compound as Grapefruit oil for its calming and anti-anxiety effects (7).

A calming effect which, in part, is associated with limonene (8).

SUMMARY: Although there is little research on the special effects of citrus essential oils, studies show that Grapefruit essential oil, in general, may have a positive effect on mood and anxiety.

4. Antibacterial and antimicrobial effects

Grapefruit essential oil has a strong antibacterial and antimicrobial effect.

IVF studies show that it displayed antimicrobial properties against potentially dangerous bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli (9, 10).

One study comparing five essential oils found that Grapefruit essential oil was one of the most powerful in terms of the antimicrobial effects that fight MRSA - a group of bacteria that are usually difficult to treat, such as often resistant to common antibiotics (11, 12).

Finally, it can also help to prevent heartburn caused by bacteria, H. pylori germs.

For example, the study of IVF examining the properties of essential oils 60 found that essential oils of white Grapefruits had an antibacterial effect on H. pylori germs (13).

Research shows that citrus essential oils may be effective in combating certain fungal strains as well, such as Candida albicans, a fungus that can cause infection in humans, especially in people with weakened immune systems (14, 15).

However, it has no known whether topically applied Grapefruit essential oil will have an effect on H. pylori germs, and ingesting essential oils is not recommended.

SUMMARY: Grapefruit essential oil provides an antibacterial and antimicrobial effect comparable to other proven ointments.

5. Can help reduce stress and lower blood pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a common condition that affects one in three adults in the United States (16).

Many people use natural therapies to help lower their blood pressure - either in conjunction with prescription drugs or to avoid medication altogether.

Some researchers suggest that aromatherapy can help control levels of pressure and second blood pressure.

For example, a new clinical study found that inhaling Grapefruits and lavender essential oils have a direct and long-term effect on reducing blood pressure and stress (17).

Participants wear necklaces containing essential oils for 24 hours and experience a decrease especially during the day systolic blood pressure (over the number of readings) (18).

What's more, they show a decrease in cortisol - a hormone released in response to stress (18).

In another study, citrus essential oil enhanced nerve activity which helped lower blood pressure in mice. The researchers concluded that the main active ingredient, limonene, might contribute to this result (19).

However, research to confirm whether essential Grapefruit oil alone can treat high blood pressure in humans is not available.

SUMMARY: Early research shows that Grapefruit essential oil may be effective in lowering blood pressure and stress levels - although more human studies are needed.

6. Treat acne

Grapefruit essential oil can contribute to healthy skin by preventing and treating skin conditions such as zits (20).

Many brands of face lotions and creams include Grapefruit essential oils because they refresh the aroma and strong antibacterial and antioxidant activity.

This oil can help keep your skin free of bacteria, which might promote the acne healing process.

One study of IVF was monitored for the antibacterial activity of 10 essential oils against P. acnes, a bacterium commonly associated with the development of acne (21).

The researchers concluded that Grapefruit essential oil has several antibacterial activities against P. acnes. However, this activity is not as strong as other essential oils tested, such as thyme and cinnamon essential oil.

More research is needed to determine whether Grapefruit essential oil is an effective remedy for acne.

SUMMARY: Given the powerful antibacterial activity, Grapefruit essential oil looks promising in preventing and treating acne.

Is this safe?

For most people, Grapefruit essential oil is safe for topical use or through inhalation.

However, there are some things you will want to keep in mind when using essential oils, including:

Dilution. Always use a carrier oil when using topical essential oils to dilute the oil before application - practice safety standards when using essential oils.

Photosensitivity. Applying some essential oils - especially citrus oils - before sun exposure can cause photosensitivity and burning (22).

Babies and children. It is generally recommended that you check with a health care provider before using essential oils in children because of safety problems.

Pregnancy. Some essential oils that appear to be safe for use in pregnancy, but it is recommended to consult your doctor before using them (23).

Pet. Using topical essential oils or in aromatherapy can have an effect on other people in the household - including pets. Pets can be more sensitive to essential oils than humans (24).

While most essential oils are safe for topical use and aromatherapy, they are not safe to swallow. Swallowing essential oils can be toxic and in large and even fatal doses (25, 26).

SUMMARY: While citrus essential oils are mostly safe for use on the skin or through inhalation, it might be best to take a number of precautions. Never ingest essential oils.

Grapefruit essential oil is generally used topically and in aromatherapy.

Research shows that using Grapefruit oil can balance moods, reduce blood pressure and relieve stress.

Grapefruit essential oil also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can help treat various conditions, such as acne and stomach ulcers.

Further research is needed to support beneficial traits. However, Grapefruit oil is also a valuable natural approach once employed in conjunction with a lot of ancient therapies.