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Grapefruit Seed Extract & Ringworm

Jul 19, 2011 | By Kathryn Gilhuly
Grapefruit Seed Extract & Ringworm
Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images

Ringworm is a form of fungal infection that can develop on your scalp or anywhere else on your body. Many grapefruit seed extract products can fight off fungal infections such as ringworm, due to their antimicrobial nature. Grapefruit seed extract on its own, however, possesses no antimicrobial abilities. Many grapefruit seed extract products contain added chemicals that turn them into antimicrobials capable of fighting off infections.

Types and Treatments

Ringworm of the scalp is characterized by bald patches on your head and an itchy scalp with a scaly texture. Traditional treatments for scalp ringworm include medicated shampoos or oral medication to help fight off the fungal infection. Applying grapefruit seed extract externally to the area of your scalp infected by ringworm may also prove helpful for fighting off the fungus. Ringworm of the body is characterized by a red rash shaped like a ring. Traditional treatments for body ringworm include oral medication, or either over-the-counter or prescription-strength topical anti-fungal medication. External application of grapefruit seed extract to your rash may also fight off the fungus causing your ringworm.

Chemicals in Grapefruit Seed Extract

It is important to keep in mind that pure grapefruit seed extract, made up of the seeds and pulp left over after juicing a grapefruit, cannot, by itself, fight off infections such as ringworm. More than a half dozen studies published between 1999 and 2009, and originating in countries such as Austria, Germany, Japan, Sweden and the United States, tested the contents and abilities of commercial grapefruit seed extract. Donal O'Mathuna, a bio-ethicist and herbal researcher, analyzed the studies for "The Irish Times." The research shows that while the labels of many grapefruit seed extract products may not boast that they contain chemicals, many of them do, according to O'Mathuna. And the chemicals -- synthetic preservatives and disinfectants -- fight off infections, not the grapefruit seed extract.

German Study

T. von Woedtke, a researcher from the German Institute of Pharamacy, led the first revelatory study regarding contents of grapefruit seed extract products. Woedtke and colleagues tested six commercial grapefruit seed extract products. Of the six tested, five proved able to fight off infections. The one product that contained no antimicrobial properties tested free of chemicals and the five that worked contained chemicals, including the class 2 poison benzethonium chloride. Woedtke and his team also made their own grapefruit seed extract and discovered that it, too, possessed no antimicrobial properties that could fight ringworm or any kind of infection. Woedtke's findings were published in "Pharmazie" in June 1999.

Possible Adverse Effects

Grapefruit is known to cause adverse -- and potentially fatal -- effects when combined with many drugs, including birth control pills, statins, antidepressants and blood pressure medications. This is because grapefruit can prohibit your body from metabolizing drugs, leading to an excessive amount of medication in your bloodstream. Benzethonium chloride, found in many commercially sold grapefruit seed extract products, also prevents your body from efficiently metabolizing drugs. Other side effects of ingesting benzethonium chloride include convulsions and comas. Since you can use grapefruit seed extract as a topical treatment for ringworm, this may lessen the likelihood and severity of side effects. But exercise caution -- the extract could seep through your pores. Consult a medical professional before using grapefruit seed extract for any reason.

References

Article reviewed by Basil Sinclair Last updated on: Jul 19, 2011

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