I hope you had a wonderful holiday. I could not have asked for a nicer Thanksgiving, with family flying in and just leaving this morning. I needed some decompression time after the press tour, and today I finally feel like I am starting to adjust to being back to a schedule.
I’ve been noticing a lot of people around are starting to get colds and have stuffy noses. It is that time of year! The bitter cold is starting to set in. Even here in LA the nights are freezing.
Instead of automatically calling your doctor up from some antibiotics or popping some cold meds, we can and should try some natural remedies. Of course, the body will naturally heal itself if we provide it with the optimum conditions it needs: lots of water, rest, fresh, clean air and easily digestible, enzyme, mineral and vitamin-filled foods.
But sometimes we all want a boost to help accelerate the healing process. We’ve all heard about Vitamin C boosting immunity, but there is another natural healing remedy we might try: grapefruit seed extract. What is it exactly? It is a solution made from the seeds of grapefruits, that also contains the pulp and white inner membranes of the grapefruit. It is available in liquid and power form- though I prefer the liquid. Its many applications include internal and external uses. I never heard of its uses being mentioned in Chinese or Ayurvedic teachings, but is a “newer” remedy promoted a few decades ago by Yugoslavian physicist Dr. Jacob Harich, who moved to Florida and studied the benefits of grapefruits there.
Grapefruit seed extract is generally credited with being able to kill over 800 types of bacteria and viruses, and fight fungi and parasites. You can gargle with a few drops of it diluted into water to help alleviate a sore throat condition, and it may also be helpful in treating bad breath, plaque, athlete’s foot or other toe fungi, insect bites/stings, colds and flu, even gastric ulcers. It has been used as a natural antibiotic, and the body does not build up a resistance to it over time (the way we do to the synthetic drugs!!).
Besides these functions, grapefruit seed extract contains several antioxidants, which help protect the body against free radicals. It assists with the body’s cholesterol levels – increasing the healthy type of cholesterol (HDL) and reducing the bad LDL cholesterol. Grapefruit seed extract is found in some hair products and has been credited with helping to strengthen the hair. We can benefit our furry friends- our beloved pets!- as well with it, by adding a few drops to water to help with bacterial infections or topically over injuries.
GSE (sorry I’m tired of writing it out 50 times! :) ) makes for a great natural cleaner and disinfectant. You can make a cleaning solution with it made up of 90 percent water and 10% GSE. I’m pretty sensitive to the general atmosphere of a room and people’s energy, so if I need to clear out anyone’s energy in any sense (Germy, coughing, flu, cold, low or bad energy, etc.) who has been in my home, I always burn sage, then spray the 90-10 GSE water solution out of a spray jar in a mist as a room spray. Of course I do that when they leave and don’t see what I’m doing. :)
The only word of precaution is that before planning to ingest it in any way, be sure to check with your doctor because it can interact and interfere with many medications. Remember that it is very concentrated!
Have a wonderful week!!
I send my love.
Kimberly
Dr. Weil has talked up GSE too. He recommended 10 drops/day to combat cold symptoms and just for overall health. And this was in an old book that I just read that is from several years ago.
I love how you share natural health boosters.
Thank you!
Hi Meredith, oh great! Let me know how you do if you try it!
I actually just read an article by Dr. Weil about GSE, he doesn’t recommend taking it internally because of the possibility of it being adulterated with chemicals. I take it when I have a flare up of diverticulitis and it works great so I’m really bummed out to read that. How do you find a clean brand?
Hey Kimberly :)
Its funny you mention being sensitive to the atmosphere of a room. Ive always thought I was just crazy but Im the SAME way. Negative/low energy or just someone who is sick and contagious always makes me feel yuck.
I never knew there was anything you could really do to “clear” the energy out though. Im definitely going to try this!
On another note…I have been around a ton of sick people but I think the daily green smoothies and kale salads Ive been eating are keeping my immune system in tip top shape! Glad you had a relaxing holiday with your family.
Take care
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
That’s great! (about the kale and smoothies)
About the energy- it is not a “new age” wierdo idea at all- we are not crazy! It is a fact that energy transfers and permeates. The yogis would say to be very careful of your company because auras do mix. So get yourself some sage as well my love. :)
What is sage?
Thank for the fruitful insight!! Love your blog!!:)
Been using this for several years. Extremely effective. I always have an extra bottle on hand to send home with my kids if they are starting to feel bad. Didn’t know about the other ways to use it. As always-Thanks!
Great advice and thanks for the mention at the bottom of the post about checking with your doctor! Some medicines do not interact well with grapefruits (and bergamot) and can slow down or alter your metabolism if both are taken at the same time. This is especially true of antidepressants and high blood pressure medications. From what I know, they’re not exactly sure why this happens, but that it’s a big enough issue that you should check with a doctor for the interaction on each of your medicines. If you are on medication, but can’t consult a doctor, your local pharmacist can also answer those questions as well!
Can you also use the GSE solution to clean produce? I never know how to proberly clean my frutis and veg.
Yes you can! You can dilute it in the 90-10 ratio and soak your fruits and veggies in it!
You read my mind! Have been feeling like my throat is starting to hurt the last few days, & sinus cold the last couple weeks won’t go away!
Got some to start trying GSE! Thanks :)
Yes! Give it a whirl. And while you’re at it, you can cut back on toxic cleaning products! They say indoor pollution is worse that outdoor!
GSE is a true killer! In a good way. My relative used it when she lived in a mold house and got serious sympthoms because of mold. GSE made that situation easier. Now she lives otherwhere :) and doesn’t take GSE. Said it tastes so bad and strong but is so effective. How popular and well-known GSE is in The U.S.A. In Finland where I live, not so well-known.
And totally other questions: I’ll fly in Dallas, The U.S.A. within three weeks and I’ll spend X-mas time and New Year’s Eve there. Good places to buy food (over-national places for instance)? What dishes should be avoided or eat just little? I’m vegetarian so I directly skip some bad alternatives.
Thanks a lot in advance.
I always knew that the grapefruit was great for colds. I grew up in the islands and at first sign of a cold my mom would prepare us a brew of roasted grapefruit and honey. I am not surprised to learn that the seeds posses so many benefits. Thanks for your insight.
If you take GSE internally, will it kill beneficial bacteria? Also, would it help with candida overgrowth?
Oh dude! What a great write-up man! Got to give thanks to you for this 1, though I’ve got a issue together with your RSS feed. Can’t seem to subscribe to it for some reason. Do you know if anybody else is having the exact same dilemma? If you have got a answer please let me know.
Yay! I’ve already purchased this product and it is sitting nicely next to my Neti-pot ;) Been plagued with horrible sinus infections as well and last winter this was recommended to me at a healthfood store. Needless to say, I had a monster sinus infection that didn’t clear with 2 antibiotic treatments-yes 2- one of which was a very strong antibiotic. The week I started to use the GSE on a daily basis indiluted in my Neti-pot- PRESTO- I saw results and my infection began to diminish and was gone in another week. So yes, I will def. try this for my sore throat. Thank you
Also luv the idea of using this to clean my fruit and vegetables. Do we have to though besides water if they’re organic? Also, what cleaning products do you recommend for the house- kitchen, bathroom etc… Thanks Kim!
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is gse safe to use when pregnant. i have been get hit hard with colds and the flu.
The 1929 Ruby Red patent was associated with real commercial success, which came after the discovery of a red grapefruit growing on a pink variety. Only with the introduction of the Ruby Red did the grapefruit transform into a real agricultural success.’
I just love it, thanks for every one of the information. I’ve found a fresh pal
Can you please comment on the latest news regarding harmful additives in Grapefruit Seed Extract? Dr. Weil no longer advocates use of this product because many of those on the market are adulterated and contain benzethonium chloride or triclosan. I bought some and mixed it with Tea Tree Oil and Coconut Oil to help treat a recurrent diaper rash that my son has, but now I’m a little weary. Thanks!
This is amazing information. Thank you so much for this Kimberly. I am always on the look out to find & learn about natural remedies for my son. I hate to have to give him med’s from the Doctor. Would this also be helpful for seasonal allergies? Thank you so much for all if the great things that I learn from you.
GSE is amazing! A friend recommended it the other day, just as my cold was starting to set in, and I’ve already knocked it out.
Great article :)
I have used GSE drops for diverticulosis but can only find one brand, Nutribiotic, and I believe that brand has probably been treated with chemicals during process. Anyone found a brand that states the way it’s made and is more natural?