BY BRIAN FRANK
In recent blogs, we covered Thieves Blend, Colloidal Silver, and vitamin D as some of my personal ways to stay healthy. Today, we’re going to cover one more thing I use as part of my wellness routine: grapefruit seed extract.
What follows is based on my personal beliefs and experiences. I am not attempting to make any curative medical claims and I have no financial interest in any company selling these products nor will I receive a commission or any form of remuneration. I am sharing this strictly for your information.
People began writing about the beneficial properties of grapefruit over 2,000 years ago. They heralded it for the benefits we now associate with all citrus: namely as an excellent source of vitamin C. It wasn’t until the 1960s that people began exploring the health benefits of grapefruit seeds.
Dr. Jacob Harich, a physicist and immunologist, noticed that grapefruit seeds lasted a long time in his compost—a place full of bacteria and fungi. Curious about the antimicrobial properties of grapefruit seeds, Dr. Harich began experimenting. Using grapefruit pulp and seeds, he created a liquid extract that is still common today.
The antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of grapefruit seed extract are well documented. [1, 2] Besides being used for consumption, it’s commonly used in cosmetics, soaps, cleaning sprays, and disinfecting wipes. Studies have shown that it works against bacteria by breaking down their outer membrane. [3] Aside from the antimicrobial properties, grapefruit seed extract is packed with antioxidants, vitamin E, flavonoids, and polyphenols.
Grapefruit seed extract has to be processed and manufactured to be put into a form that’s easily used. You must get yours from a trustworthy company with stringent manufacturing standards. I like to use NutriBiotic (again, I receive no compensation from this company).
I carry a bottle of grapefruit seed extract with me whenever I travel internationally. I put 4-6 drops in a glass of water in the morning and at night. This routine always works well for me. In the fall of 2018, I used it every day while crisscrossing countries around the world. I stayed healthy the entire trip and I know the grapefruit seed extract helped!
I hope you find these remedies—Thieve’s Blend, Colloidal Silver, and Grapefruit Seed Extract—helpful. I have used them personally and with my kids for over 20 years, so I am confident in recommending them to you.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15610620
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12165190
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12165191
