What is Grapefruit Seed Extract?

For those who may be unfamiliar with this product it has multiple uses around the home, as well as numerous health benefits. GSE comes from the seed, pulp and membrane of grapefruit. It is a natural antibiotic, for bacterial and viral infections, it can be used for candida albicans, moderate parasitic infections, infected cuts, ear infections. It also has multiple uses around the house. I personally have used GSE as a gargle for sore throats, as well as for candida.

GSE does however have potent detoxification properties. If you haven’t used this product before, you should discuss it with your healthcare provider, as taking too high of a dose can cause detoxification symptoms such as headaches, body aches or brain fog. What dosage is too high? A dose that causes a negative reaction in your body. When I started taking GSE for candida, it caused such a quick die-off reaction (even at the minimum dose recommended on the label), that I had a horrible headache for two days. So I changed my protocol to one drop in water, once a day. Over time I gradually increased my dose, so as not to cause a negative reaction. You must listen to your body and note how it reacts. Just because a dosage is recommended on a bottle, doesn’t mean its right for you. This is why it is critical to discuss a protocol with your healthcare provider.

A recent study from The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that grapefruit-seed extract was effective in killing over “800 bacterial and viral strains, 100 strains of fungus, and a large number of single and multi-celled parasites.”² No other naturally-occurring anti-microbial can come close to these results.

The extract from the grapefruit seed was first documented for its medicinal use in 1972 by Dr, Jacob Harich, a physicist who noticed its traditional use a disinfectant in a multitude of countries. (1) Many traditional societies have used the extract to clean skin, hair and home surfaces. They are valued as a powerful anti viral and bacterial.

 

Grapefruit Seed Extract has following health benefits:

  • Powerful natural antiseptic.
  • Antiviral and anti-fungal agent.
  • Treatment for sinus, vaginal and topical skin infections.
  • Environmentally-friendly fruit and vegetable wash for removing toxins.³

Effective preventative for Candida and other forms of yeast infections. 4

 

References:

Healthy Healing by Linda Page Ph.D, Traditional Naturopath

The Authoritative Guide to Grapefruit Seed Extract by Dr. Allan Sachs

Guess What Came to Dinner: Parasites and Your Health by Ann Louise Gittlemann

Grapefruit Seed Extract – Natural antibiotic by Susan Kushner-Resnice (East-West Nat. Health Magazine, Jan. 1992)

Allergies and Candida by Dr. Steven Rochlitz (Human Ecology Balancing Sciences Inc., NY 1988)

The effectiveness of processed grapefruit-seed extract as an antibacterial agent: I. An in vitro agar assay.: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12165190

PubMed: The Effectiveness of Processed Grapefruit-Seed Extract as an Antibacterial Agent  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12165191

  1. http://www.nutriteam.com/index2
  2. The effectiveness of processed grapefruit-seed extract as an antibacterial agent: II. Mechanism of action and in vitro toxicity. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12165191
  3. The Best Supplements for Your Health By Donald Goldberg, Arnold Gitomer, Robert Abel.
  4. Earl Mindell’s Supplement Bible. By Earl Mindell R. Ph., Ph.D.

 

 

 

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My Health Maven offers information on a wholistic approach to healthy lifestyle choices.