Many grapefruit seed extract products are antimicrobials with the ability to fight off bacteria, yeast, viruses and other microbes, such as fungus. Boils are typically caused by bacteria or fungus on the surface of your skin. Since many grapefruit seed extract products have strong antimicrobial abilities, they may be able to fight off the bacteria or fungus causing your boils -- but only if they contain added chemicals. Ask your doctor before using grapefruit seed extract to treat any kind of infection.
Not Entirely Natural
A product label won't necessarily reveal all the ingredients in grapefruit seed extract, but many of them contain chemicals. The added chemicals, not the grapefruit seed extract itself, fight infections. However, the chemicals may also prove harmful, according to Donal O'Mathuna, a bioethicist and herbal researcher. He analyzed grapefruit seed studies published between 1999 and 2009 and reported in "The Irish Times" that all the studies' authors reached nearly identical conclusions: pure grapefruit seed extract cannot fight any kind of infection, but chemicals added to many supplements possess antimicrobial properties that can combat viruses and bacteria such as those that cause boils.
Study
Scientist T. von Woedtke of the German Institute of Pharmacy published the first study that demonstrated the presence of chemicals in grapefruit seed extract products. His findings, published in "Pharmazie" in June 1999, led the way to similar studies conducted in the United States, Austria, Japan and Sweden. Woedtke and colleagues tested six brands of grapefruit seed extract products. They found that five of the six products worked to fight infection and one did not. The effective products contained chemicals; the product with no antimicrobial properties contained no chemicals. To follow up, Woedtke made his own grapefruit seed extract. His chemical-free product also failed to treat infections of any kind.
Boils
Boils are triggered by bacteria or fungus entering your hair follicles. Boils will typically heal on their own in about two weeks.The University of Maryland Medical Center says not to cut or puncture your boils, as this can spread the bacterial or fungal infection and make it worse. Instead, apply wet, warm compresses to your boils several times a day to help facilitate the draining process. Seek medical attention if your boil does not go away in two weeks, and sooner if your boil appears on your spine or the middle of your face. See a doctor right away if a fever or other adverse symptoms accompany your boil. Infections from boils may spread to your brain or spinal cord, causing deleterious side effects.
Considerations
Despite the antimicrobial properties of the chemicals added to grapefruit seed extract, no type of topical treatment is likely to successfully treat boils, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It recommends oral antibiotics. You can take grapefruit seed extract orally, but serious side effects may occur. Benzethonium chloride, a chemical in some grapefruit seed extract products, is a class 2 poison that can induce collapsing, convulsions and comas. If you take any type of medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist about possible interactions with ingredients in grapefruit seed extract. Both grapefruit and benzethonium chloride can cause potentially fatal side effects when taken with any of a variety of medications, as both substances reduce your body's ability to metabolize drugs. Seek the advice of a medical professional before trying out grapefruit seed extract for boils or any other ailment.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Furuncle; October 2008
- "The Irish Times"; Peel Back the Hype; Donal O'Mathuna; March 24, 2009
- "Pharmazie"; Aspects of the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Grapefruit Seed Extract and its Relation to Preservative Substances Contained; T. von Woedtke et al.; June 1999
- Denver Naturopathic; Why We Don't Sell Grapefruit Seed Extract; July 2005
- "European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology"; Adverse Effects by Artificial Grapefruit Seed Extract Products in Patients on Warfarin Therapy; H. Brandin et al.; March 2007
- "The Sun"; Killer Grapefruit Alert To Slimmers; Emma Morton; April 2009
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