Grapefruit Essential Oil Uses

Check out this list of Grapefruit Essential Oil Uses and learn some new ways to use it in everyday living as well as how to make your own at home.

Grapefruit Essential Oil Uses

Thanks to Whitney from Beauty in the Mess for bringing us this excellent guest post today!

There are many essential oils that I would never be without. Grapefruit essential oil is definitely on that list. I love adding a drop or two to my water. Yum! It’s so refreshing and can actually help with weight loss too. Grapefruit essential oil is cold-pressed from the grapefruit rind. It is rich in the powerful antioxidant d-limonene, and was traditionally used to support the body’s natural defenses. Not to mention it’s an uplifting and energizing essential oil – excellent to bring you out of the winter doldrums.

If you are looking for a wonderful source for oils, I highly recommend Rocky Mountain Oils. After careful consideration of all the companies selling essential oils, I’m happy to share that Rocky Mountain Oils has become my main source of oils for many different reasons.

 

How to Make Your Own Grapefruit Essential Oil

Here’s a tutorial on how to make your own Grapefruit Oil. If you’d rather skip this process, you can always buy it instead. Rocky Mountain Oils sells Grapefruit essential oil.

Step One: Select grapefruits with a moderately thick rind, as this is the only part you will use for the oil. Wash the whole grapefruit thoroughly with warm soapy water and rinse in vinegar to remove any pesticides and wax.

–Learn more about Washing Produce (The Frugal Way!)

Step Two: Use a Microplane grater or zester to remove just the rind from the grapefruit. DO NOT include the white pith.

Step Three: Spread out the zest/rind on a plate or a dehydrator tray. If using a plate, make sure it’s in a warm, dry area, and let sit are several days until the zest/rind is completely dry. If you are using a dehydrator, follow the instructions in your manual. The longer it dries the better so that the moisture content in your oil is reduced.

Step Four: {Quick Method} Place the completely dried zest in a crockpot and fill with your choice of carrier oil (coconut, almond, avocado, etc.) until the zest is just barely covered. Don’t use too much though because you don’t want to dilute your essential oil. Cover and heat on LOW for at least 8 hours.
{Slow Method} Place the dried zest in a Mason jar and fill with the oil of your choice. Cover and let sit in a windowsill for at least two weeks.

Step Five: Once the oil is prepared, cover a glass bowl with several layers of cheesecloth. Pour the oil in the bowl, using the cheesecloth like a filter. Gather the corners of the cheesecloth and squeeze all of the oil from the zest/rind.

Step Six: Pour the oil into small, dark, or amber-colored bottles and seal with stoppers or lids. Store in a cool, dry place.

Grapefruit essential oil does have a short shelf-life since it oxidizes quickly. Make sure to replace it quarterly.

Now that you know how to make it, learn how to use grapefruit essential oil below.

Uses for Grapefruit Essential Oil Uses

For the Home:

• To purify the air in your home or office and kill airborne germs, use 2-3 drops in a diffuser. (You can learn how to make your own Homemade Diffusers here!)
• To create your own household cleaner to kill germs, add 5-6 drops to a quart of distilled water and put in a dark-colored, glass spray bottle. Shake well before using.

–Looking for more homemade cleaners? Here are 9 DIY Recipes For Homemade Cleaners That Actually Work

• Create a pick me up room spray by adding 10 drops to 2 oz of Spring Water and putting them in an atomizer spray bottle.

Health and Beauty:

• To relieve stress, mix 16 oz. epsom salt, 20 drops of sweet orange oil and 10 drops of grapefruit oil together in a dark-colored glass jar. Add 1/2 cup of the mixture to a hot bath for a rejuvenating soak. Seal the jar and store the remaining mixture in a cool, dark place.

–Learn more ways to Manage Stress in a Simple Life.

• Add 1 cup distilled water, 2 tbsp. white vinegar and 5 drops grapefruit oil to a glass jar and shake well. Use the mixture as a toner after washing your face to remove excess oils from the skin. Apply with a cotton ball.
• To ease symptoms of depression, use 2-3 drops in a diffuser, or use 2-3 drops on a handkerchief and periodically inhale.
• For headaches, diffuse 2 to 3 drops or add a drop to a carrier oil and apply topically.
• To relieve gallstones naturally, massage 1-2 drops (with a carrier oil) directly over the area of concern, or into the soles of the feet. You may also consider also using Peppermint to support the digestive system.
• To reduce the appearance of cellulite in tough spots, mix 1-2 drops with coconut oil, or another carrier oil, and massage into the body in a kneading pattern every evening.
• To ease the pains of arthritis, muscle fatigue, rheumatism, and stiffness, use 2-3 drops in coconut oil and massage on affected areas. You can also use 3-4 drops in bath water with Epsom salts, or use in a hot compress.
• Suffering from jet lag? Use grapefruit while traveling to help elevate your energy levels. Add it to your glass water bottles or inhale from the bottle.
• To relieve menstrual cramps, or to stimulate delayed menstruation, add 2-3 drops to a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, and massage over the lower abdomen.

–Switching to cloth pads can also help reduce cramps. Learn how to make your own Homemade Cloth Pad.

• To ease symptoms of fatigue, diffuse the oil or applying a drop (with a carrier oil) over your chest to increase your energy levels naturally.
• To cleanse your lymphatic system, add a drop to coconut oil and massage into the skin. Start at your hands and feet and massage inward towards the heart.
• Help support your kidneys by massaging the diluted grapefruit essential oil over your lower abdomen and back.
• To help curb addictions, apply 1-2 drops diluted topically over the stomach or back of the neck. You could also inhale from the bottle for an aromatic effect, or wear a diffusing necklace.

Other Uses:

• Discourage fleas and flies on your dogs and horses by spraying them with diluted grapefruit essential oil. (NOT advised for cats.)

–Looking for some of the products mentioned in this post? You can find many of them in my Amazon shop under Kitchen Must Haves and DIY Supplies.

As you can see there are many Grapefruit Essential Oil uses. Do you use any of them regularly? I personally don’t care for the taste of grapefruits, but I LOVE grapefruit essential oil.

*As with all citrus essential oils, avoid contact with direct sunlight for up to 12 hours after use. Always dilute.

Are you started to get into using essential oils? Here are some posts for you to check out:

• Uses for Eucalyptus Oil
• Uses for Peppermint Oil
• Creative Household Lemon Oil Uses
• Growing and Using Lemongrass
• Make Your Own DIY Essential Oil Diffuser
• Organizing Essential Oils and Other Make Your Own Ingredients
• Essential Oil Gel Fresheners

 

What are your favorite grapefruit essential oil uses?