Organic Grapefruit Essential Oil

Fragrance: Citrus, floral, and fruity

Botanical Name: Citrus paradisi

Emotional Effect: Uplifting and cleansing

Method of Extraction: Cold Press of Peel

I once lived in a house with a grapefruit tree in my garden; oh how I failed to appreciate it at the time! While I still don't enjoy eating them, I love using them in soap-making and the essential oil is incredibly helpful for people with certain constitutions.

Grapefruit is a cultivar created from pomelo (citrus maxima) and sweet orange (citrus sinensis). Studies of doth of pomelo and sweet orange have shown they have valuable effects on people, their combination in the Grapefruit has qualities that, I believe, exceed the sum of its parts. 

Like most oils, studies have shown cold pressed Grapefruit essential oil to have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties These qualities, however, are common place. Where I see this oil as being most valuable is for people with a particular set of constitutional challenges who need a very specialised form of support.

My interest in this oil first piqued when someone I have known for years mentioned how much she liked it. It had never particularly been on my radar, however, given her enthusiasm, I decided to buy some. I certainly immediately liked smelling the oil more than eating the fruit, however, knowing her helped me understand why she loved it so much and, therefore, whom the oil could be useful. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Grapefruit is said to be slightly warming. It is helpful for weight loss, water retention and lymphatic congestion. It increases fat metabolism, treats cellulite and can dissolve gallstones. It is also said to be a liver tonic and can relieve migraine pain and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Finally, it is said to have an anti-depressant effect, and lifts the mood. 

This seemed a perfect match for the woman I knew who loved it. She is someone who seems stuck and hurt created a barrier of fat and water around her to protect her from the cruelty she suffered as a child. This light and bright oil would help her to unblock the anger she feels and help her to feel the safety and happiness she needs. By helping her to release these old hurts, she is able to let go of her anger and reconnect with her joy. If you can relate to the character here, I really recommend trying Grapefruit oil. While it works well on its own either diffused or in a body oil, mixing it with Lemon and Neroli essential oils can help to bring out its qualities. To work out the ration that will work for you, simply take the lids of each bottle and hold them in one hand while you waft them under your nose. Move the bottles up and down in your palm to make them closer or further from your nose to determine the ratio, or simply experiment by putting a few drops in a diffuser. I'd also recommend a Grapefruit, Lemon and Neroli soap for a particularly luxurious bath. The scents with permeate your bathroom and are sure to make your bathing experience especially uplifting.