Grapefruit seed extract (GSE)

INCI: Glycerin, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract

The botanical name of the grapefruit tree is Citrus paradisi (paradiso = paradise). The tree was discovered in the 18th century on the Caribbean island of Barbados, where it was known as the »forbidden fruit«. Botanists believe that the grapefruit is a subspecies of the Shaddock tree, a hybrid between an orange and a pomelo, originating from Asia, where it still grows wild today. The largest grapefruit producers are Florida, South Africa, Israel, Brazil, Cuba, Argentina, Spain and Greece.

Grapefruit flesh contains large amounts of vitamins C and B, and the peel contains a multitude of different substances: pinene, limonene, linalool, citral aldehyde, and the peel contains approximately 21% essential oils. These substances have antidepressant properties, act as a refresher, stimulate blood circulation, arouse emotions and generally increase the joy of life.
Grapefruit seeds contain mainly bioflavonoids (yellow plant pigment), glycoside in the form of naringin, isosakuranetin, neohesperidin, hesperidin, dihydrokaempferol glycoside…

The unique combination of active ingredients gives this natural substance the property that it is used as a natural preservative.

Grapefruit seeds were first studied in 1980 by a gardener and physician, holder of the Einstein Prize in physics and immunologist who specialised in research into natural remedies, Dr. Jacob Harich from Florida. He discovered that grapefruit seeds in his compost did not rot. When he began to study them, it turned out that grapefruit seeds contain a substance that is more effective and at the same time less harmful than all known antibiotics. When numerous other institutes joined the research, it was found that grapefruit seed extract renders viruses and bacteria harmless, as well as yeasts, other fungi and parasites. Antibiotics, on the other hand, work in a much more limited way – only against bacteria.

The extract is a mixture of pure grapefruit seed extract, water and vegetable glycerin.

Skin
Acne: Wet the face and with wet hands massage 5 drops of extract into the skin. Leave to act and rinse off.

Hair
Hair washing: Add 5 – 10 drops of extract to shampoo and rub into the scalp for 2 minutes.
Eczema, dandruff, itching: Add 20 drops of extract to 25 ml of water and soak the scalp. Be careful around the eyes. Repeat this 2 - 3 times a week, later 1 time a week.

Skin
Wounds: Dilute the drops in water and place on the wound or burn.

Skin rashes: Add 10 drops of extract to oil and apply 2 – 3 times daily.

Dermatitis, hives, shingles: Add 10 drops of extract to 25 ml of oil or a moist ointment and apply.

Psoriasis: same as dermatitis – 2 times daily

Tick, leech: Apply extract to the tick/leech. When removed, add a drop to the bite site.

Insects: same. If skin is sensitive, dilute slightly.

Warts: Apply extract to the wart 2 times daily.

Skin fungi: Apply extract 2 times daily.

Hard skin: Add 30 drops to a bath.

Corns: Apply extract 2 times daily.

Callus: Apply extract to the skin – 1 – 2 drops.

Hand fungi: Add extract to cream.

Nail fungi: Apply pure extract 2 times daily.

Ingrown nail: Apply pure extract 2 – 3 times a day.