Grapefruit Essential Oil (Citrus × aurantium)

Overview

Grapefruit may also be referred to as Grapefruit, White Cold Pressed, Grapefruit, Rose, Citrus racemosa, Citrus × paradisi, Citrus Paradisii. It is typically processed using cold pressed/expressed as a method for extracting oil from the citrus rind (peel).

Summary

Grapefruit oil comes from the rind of the fruit of the Citrus × paradisi (also known as Citrus racemosa) tree.

I'm not especially fond of eating grapefruit, but I adore Grapefruit Essential Oil, and use it regularly in the diffuser. Grapefruit Oil has a pleasantly sweet, tangy/tart aroma that blends well with a number of other essential oils. For a lovely aromatic combination, try blending it with Frankincense Oil or conifers like Fir Needle Oil.

Essential Facts

  • Aroma Description:

    Citrus Cool Exotic Fresh Slightly bitter

  • Common Name(s): Grapefruit, White Cold Pressed, Grapefruit, Rose, Citrus racemosa, Citrus × paradisi, Citrus Paradisii
  • Botanical Family: Rutaceae
  • Chemical Family: Monoterpenes
  • Major Compounds: (+)-Limonene, B-Myrcene, a-Pinene, Sabinene, Nootkatone, Bergapten
  • Perfumery Note: Top
  • Consistency: Thin
  • Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong
  • Color: Pale Yellow - Yellow
  • Indigenous Country: Mexico or South Africa
  • Cultivation: Unsprayed
  • Processing Methods: Cold Pressed/Expressed
  • Part Typically Used: Citrus Rind (Peel)
  • Shelf Life: 2-3 years
  • Ethically and sustainably sourced Ethically and sustainably sourced
  • Vegan Vegan

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

May be benefitial for addressing the following ailments:

Catarrh Cellulite Obesity Rheumatism Skin : Oily Skin : Sweaty Spots ( Acne ) Water Retention Weakness : Lack of Mental or Physical Strength

Therapeutic Benefits of Grapefruit:

Anti-anxiety

Other Uses for Grapefruit:

Don't expose the skin to sunlight after using grapefruit oil.

Blends

Grapefruit Blends:

Frankincense Oil

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Grapefruit:

Grapefruit Oil isphototoxic. Tisserand and Young recommend a dermal maximum of 4% to avoid risk of phototoxic reaction. Avoid using Grapefruit Oil that has oxidized due to a greater risk of skin sensitization. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 297.]

Safety Precautions for Grapefruit:

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.

Energetic, Spiritual, and Emotional Qualities

Articles

Grapefruit Articles or Publications: