Grapefruit oil: features and subtleties of application
Grapefruit has been known to mankind only since the 18th century, and they learned to extract essential oil from it less than a hundred years ago, so humanity is unlikely to have managed to discover all the benefits of this magical liquid. However, even now it is impossible to overestimate the benefits that it brings to beauty and health. Consider what such a mysterious elixir is.
Compound
The main essential oil part of a small sheddock, as this citrus is sometimes called, is its peel. The best is the substance obtained by cold pressing. At the same time, about 100 kilograms of raw materials are needed to obtain 1 kilogram of the final substance. This determines the price of high-quality grapefruit oil, which ranges from 200 to 500 rubles per 10 milliliters. Of course, you can find a product cheaper, but it is not recommended to use it otherwise than in aromatherapy, and even more so, in no case should you drink it.
The main chemicals in the oil are geraniol, limonene, linalool, myrcene, citral and pinene, which form a unique sour-sweet aroma with a slight bitterness and cause beneficial properties. In addition, it is simply full of health-important ingredients such as vitamins (A, C, D, PP, group B), minerals (potassium, magnesium, calcium, iodine, iron, phosphorus), antioxidants, carotenoids, as well as organic acids. .
However, the peel is not the only thing from the fruit that provides health benefits and is used for extraction. An extract from the seeds of this plant is also widespread, used in the treatment and prevention of various diseases of the respiratory system, skin, oral cavity, digestion, to cleanse the body and remove toxins, for cosmetic and household purposes, including for the preservation and disinfection of products. .
Grapefruit seed oil, like the more well-known peel liquid, is rich in active substances and vitamins.
Benefit
Grapefruit ether, like many citrus fruits, solves a whole range of problems:
- perfectly fights skin imperfections, including evens out complexion, helps eliminate purulent lesions, reduces wrinkles and flabbiness, restores radiance, relieves swelling;
- accelerates the process of splitting fats and has a great effect on cellulite;
- improves digestion and metabolism;
- reduces appetite;
- improves mood and relieves depression;
- copes with beriberi;
- is an excellent adaptogen that increases the body's resistance;
- It has disinfectant properties, can be used for the treatment of premises and food.
In addition, it is useful for arrhythmia, arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, joint disease, bronchitis and SARS, and also alleviates the symptoms of toxicosis in pregnant women. And it also has a number of purely decorative properties, for example, in some cases, the oil can work as a natural self-tanner, giving the skin a golden hue.
Harm
It is worth considering that such an active substance has a number of disadvantages. First of all, this is the strongest allergen, so you must first test the product on a small area of skin, for which it is enough to apply a couple of drops and leave for a day.However, do not confuse a negative reaction with the behavior of high-quality oil: during the first three to five minutes, you can feel a tingling sensation and a slight burning sensation at the point of contact.
In addition, it is very photoactive: do not go out into the sun immediately after application, as you can earn serious burns. Non-compliance with dosages and the use of an undiluted substance can lead to the same result.
When used internally, you should be very careful about the quality. The ether must be pure, without impurities and additional ingredients. Otherwise, there is a high risk of poisoning and deterioration in general. In no case should it be consumed on an empty stomach or without any basis, as a rule, honey, bread crusts, any vegetable oil or acidified water is suitable for this.
In addition, the extract of this citrus has the ability to increase blood pressure, so hypertensive patients should use it with extreme caution.
Dosage
Grapefruit essential oil is used in the following quantities:
- for disinfection and aromatization of premises with the help of aroma lamps, 3-4 drops of oil per 10 square meters are used;
- for massage mixtures and enhancing the action of cosmetics, add 5 drops per 15 grams of base;
- for compresses, 4-6 drops are taken per 15 grams of the base, after which the napkin soaked in the mixture is placed on the sore spot and fixed with a film;
- for baths, 4-6 drops are mixed with cream, milk, sea salt, honey or base oil, the procedure time should not exceed 20 minutes;
- inside at one time, 1 drop with any base is enough;
- 2-3 drops are enough for aroma coulomb.
Recipes
In cosmetology, natural grapefruit oil has no equal.It tightens pores, improves color and brightens age spots, activates the processes of regeneration and blood circulation, which helps reduce wrinkles, restore skin tone and elasticity, and eliminate acne and comedones.
- Useful regularly massage the face with an ice cube with the addition of ether. To do this, 5 drops of oil are mixed with a spoonful of honey and diluted in a glass of mineral water or a decoction of herbs, such as chamomile. This mixture is suitable as a tonic, or you can pour it into molds and put it in the freezer. In the morning, this procedure will help you wake up, refresh, and in the long run, get rid of dark circles under the eyes and visibly reduce wrinkles.
- For problematic and oily skin, steam baths work well: 2 drops of grapefruit oil and one each of lemon balm and bergamot per liter of hot water. The duration of this procedure is 5-15 minutes.
- When painful red pimples spot application to inflammation is allowed.
- For narrowing pores a mixture of chamomile, lemon and grapefruit oils with a moisturizer or any other base helps well. It should be borne in mind that with problems of the skin of the face, you should not use a greasy base.
- The recipe is very popular. masks for problem skin. You will need 4 teaspoons of liquid or warmed honey, one teaspoon of alcohol and mineral water, 2 drops of grapefruit and tea tree essential oils. It is recommended to apply the mixture for 15 minutes, then use a moisturizer. Such a mask will cleanse the skin, reduce inflammation and prevent the appearance of new imperfections.
- Drying mask is made on the basis of white clay, where two drops of grapefruit, eucalyptus and tea tree oils are added.It is good to combine this procedure with taking a bath: so the clay does not dry out and will act throughout the entire time.
- And also exists face mask recipe. Add the same amount of flowing honey to a tablespoon of sour cream, after which three drops of grapefruit oil are added to the well-mixed mixture. For acne-prone skin, adding a couple of drops of chamomile or tea tree oil is appropriate. The fat content of the base is chosen based on the following considerations: the drier the skin, the fatter the sour cream should be. After cleansing, apply a thick layer on the face and leave for 25 minutes, rinse with cool water, a contrast shower is appropriate. The skin after such care will become more silky, moisturized, radiant.
- Oil strengthens nails - it is enough to mix lemon and grapefruit esters in equal proportions and rub them into the nail plate.
- To give a tan you can use a cotton swab moistened with a couple of drops of oil.
The product is able to help with almost any problems with the hair and scalp.
- The easiest recipe in such cases is to add 3-4 drops of oil per 10 milliliters of a suitable shampoo. This will enhance the effect of the cosmetic product, relieve excessive oiliness, help with hair loss, and restore their healthy shine.
- With alopecia and dandruff, you can do a salt scrub for the scalp. This will help renew the top layer of the epidermis, remove excess skin flakes, cleanse and massage the scalp, and prepare it for further care. For three tablespoons of fine sea salt, add 2-4 drops of grapefruit oil and the same number of drops of lavender.
- A good solution can be a mask, for the preparation of which you need to mix a glass of beer with two tablespoons of honey, add 2 drops of lemon, grapefruit and lavender. Apply to hair and keep warm for 25-30 minutes, then rinse with water.
- To nourish split ends, it is good to apply a composition of fatty oil, such as castor, burdock or peach, and 2-3 drops of grapefruit for 20-30 minutes before washing your hair. Hair will become elastic, smooth, obedient again.
It is impossible not to mention the help of citrus in the fight for a slim figure.
The very reaction of the interaction of the skin and oil pushes to the idea of using it against cellulite and excess weight.
- The easiest way to correct the figure with grapefruit oil is to add it to food and drinks. Even a small amount of ether will reduce appetite and allow you to reduce the use of unhealthy foods. For this, simple inhalation of vapors is useful. However, without additional measures, the result of such impacts will be very modest.
- Applying an enriched body cream to problem areas twice a day can significantly reduce the appearance of orange peel.
- Useful for finding the desired contours of the body honey massage. 5 drops of oil are added to a tablespoon of honey. The massage area is rubbed with honey, after which the procedure is continued with patting movements for 15-30 minutes.
- The ether is added to the mixture for wrapping. To prepare a homemade version, 3 parts of cosmetic clay are taken, green, red and black are well suited, the same amount of kelp powder, enough water to bring the mixture into a creamy state, and 3 drops of oil per 10 grams of the resulting composition.Apply generously to problem areas, wrap with foil and wrap yourself in a warm blanket or bathrobe. The duration of exposure is at least half an hour.
- Lymphatic drainage massage for weight loss can be performed using any fatty base enriched with 5 drops of grapefruit oil per 10 grams of base.
- Salt bath with grapefruit oil will help remove toxins and excess fluid from the body.
- To remove toxins, this recipe is also known: a tablespoon of honey is mixed with 4 drops of rosemary and eucalyptus oil, 2 drops of grapefruit, and then added to a filled bath.
- To enhance the anti-cellulite effect, grapefruit oil can be combined with fennel, orange, lemon, juniper, rosemary.
Unfortunately, natural cosmetics are short-lived, and esters lose their properties within a couple of hours after contact with air, so the best option is to prepare mixtures immediately before use. In extreme cases, it is allowed to store a pre-prepared base without adding oil. It must be kept in the refrigerator, and its lifespan will not exceed a couple of days.
It is worth remembering that in no case should the procedures bring too much burning and pain. In this case, stop use immediately and rinse the affected area with plenty of water, followed by a moisturizing cream if possible.
It would be wrong to omit the variety of recipes for using grapefruit ester internally. In particular, you can find recipes for cleansing the liver and gallbladder. You need to take a tablespoon of linseed oil and add 1 drop of grapefruit oil to it, if desired, the same amount of rosemary. Drink this mixture after meals three times a day for two weeks.With bloating and heaviness in the stomach, a crust of bread moistened with 5 drops of lemon juice and 2 drops of grapefruit oil will help.
This is only appropriate if no more than one and a half hours have passed after eating.
Recommendations
The information space is filled with rave reviews about the experience of using grapefruit essential oil to solve beauty and health problems. He is advised in almost all cases, whether it is increased fatigue or digestive problems. To increase elasticity, revitalize tired skin, get rid of acne, comedones and acne, with a dull complexion. A storehouse of vitamins in oil will help out in winter, support immunity. Just a couple of drops added to tea will allow you to enjoy a whole new shade of your favorite drink. And all this is not to mention the extensive use in aromatherapy and the preparation of perfume compositions.
Everyone can find for himself the very method of application, thanks to which he will forever fall in love with this wonderful elixir.
You will learn more about the features and uses of grapefruit oil in the following video.