The Uses Of Grapefruit Oil

While you know fruits and vegetable are good for you, you might not know just how beneficial they can be. Essential oils from fruits such as the grapefruit possess many properties and characteristics that make them useful in a number of situations. Grapefruit essential oil comes from a process that removes the oil from the fruit's peel. The resulting oil has a distinct citrus scent that you can use to help many conditions and ailments. You should consult a trained aromatherapist or doctor before using this oil to treat any serious conditions.

Help Treat Acne or Oily Skin

You might think treating acne or oily skin with an oil---essential or not---doesn't make a whole lot of sense. While it's understandable to think essential oils feel oily, they do not. Grapefruit essential oil actually works as an astringent, according to aromatherapist and author Julia Lawless in her book "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils." This makes it a good natural choice for cleaning congested and oily skin, which helps prevent acne. Including the oil in a lotion or blend it with other astringent oils works well for clearing up congested skin.

Wake Up and Boost Your Mood

Aromatherapist Jeanne Rose says in her book "375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols" that she uses grapefruit essential oil to help improve the mood of clients who feel down. Patricia Davis also writes that she uses the oil in the same way; she says it has anti-depressant qualities---while at the same time also being a stimulant. Grapefruit essential oil's effectiveness as a stimulant is supported by a 2002 research study in the "Japanese Journal of Pharmacology." This study found inhaling grapefruit oil produces increased action in your sympathetic nervous system.

Cleaner

Grapefruit essential oil has other practical uses. It works well as a household cleaner. The combination of its natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties make it a great choice, and that is one of Rose's recommended uses for the oil. You can add the oil to your cleaning water before wiping objects down or use it in a spray. The disinfectant ability also makes it a good choice to use in a diffuser to spread throughout the air during cold or flu season. The fresh citrus scent is an added bonus, too.