The fresh-smelling fruity notes and slightly sweet citrus accents of grapefruit essential oil can turn your home into an exotic paradise. No wonder many essential oil enthusiasts use it with great pleasure: it smells as fresh, as clean, and as revitalizing as very few similar products.
You will not miss the holidays when your home smells like an oasis of delight and bliss. Did you know, however, that grapefruit essential oil has many other beneficial properties? Find out how it can improve your health and well-being once you decide to use it every day.
Wellness with grapefruit essential oil: what changes it brings if used every day
Grapefruit essential oil is extracted from the peel of the fruit, and it is beneficial especially thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties, which make it ideal as an ingredient of cleaning products. But grapefruit essential oil does more than that, and you would underestimate its qualities if you used it only as a floor cleaner or homemade kitchen detergent.
Widely used both in aromatherapy and topically, grapefruit essential oil has countless benefits.
Reduces food cravings
It is evening, you are watching your favorite show, and you are craving a snack. You have just had dinner, so it is not that you are hungry, and you know that you should not eat anything until morning. It will be much easier to resist temptation to start munching if you use grapefruit essential oil. Studies, though still limited and focused only on animals, indicate that we can thank the compound limonene for the craving-inhibiting activity of grapefruit essential oil.
Helps lose weight
This effect of grapefruit essential oil comes as a consequence of the previous property: it is obvious that when you stop having uncontrolled cravings you can lose weight more easily. Researchers believe that grapefruit essential oil can also decrease body fat and reduce abdominal fat when used topically, by massaging the abdomen. Obviously, grapefruit essential oil cannot be ingested.
It improves mood
This point does not need much explanation. Imagine a home that smells fresh, citrusy, and clean, and you will feel happier just by creating a mental image. Besides, citrus essential oil has anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects thanks to the compound limonene which causes chemical reactions in the brain, improving mood.
Provides energy and chases away fatigue
Overwork and so-called fatigue or burnout syndrome are a dark and frightening reality for more and more people. Such states mean fatigue that cannot be overcome with a nap, can lead to loss of motivation, negative thoughts, anxiety and depression. With its invigorating aroma, grapefruit essential oil can be an excellent adjuvant in the treatment of these conditions. Researchers also note that grapefruit essential oil can reduce headaches, feelings of confusion and mental fatigue, as seen in studies with mice.
Fights stress
The effects of stress on the body are devastating and, unfortunately, still poorly understood. Since we cannot perpetually banish stress from our lives, we need to learn to cope with it, and grapefruit essential oil can be a great help. According to a study of 83 patients with hypertension, inhaling the aromas of lavender and grapefruit reduces both blood pressure and stress levels. Grapefruit essential oil also lowers cortisol, the hormone released in response to stressful situations.
Improves the appearance of skin
Due to its potent antibacterial and antioxidant activity, grapefruit essential oil can alleviate acne. This gift of nature also stimulates skin healing and regeneration and can prevent future breakouts. When applying topical oil, be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil (a basic vegetal oil) such as coconut, olive, avocado or almond oil.
Ensures richer, cleaner, more beautiful hair
Grapefruit essential oil has been added to shampoos and conditioners for many years. Not only does this ingredient cleanse the scalp and eliminate dandruff thanks to its antibacterial attributes, but it also adds volume and shine, reduces greasiness and protects hair from fading.
Improves digestion
Add grapefruit essential oil to your aromatherapy diffuser daily and you may find your digestion improved in a short while. By stimulating blood circulation to the organs responsible for digestion, grapefruit essential oil improves the functioning of the stomach, liver and kidneys, decreases water retention and fights microbes in the intestines. Again, we remind you that you cannot swallow grapefruit essential oil, no matter how good it smells.
These are just a few of the ways grapefruit essential oil can change your body. All that is left for you is to try it out and enjoy the amazing effects.