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Physical Properties:
Grapefruit essential oil is cold-pressed from
the rind of ripe grapefruit. It is a yellow liquid with a
fresh, sweet citrus aroma, considered uplifting and
refreshing.
Like essential oil of Lemon, grapefruit is
cooling, cleansing, and decongestive, and can be beneficial
for an overheated liver and sluggish lymph system. Further,
the pleasing aroma has laboratory-confirmed appetite
reducing effects.
Like many of the citrus oils,
it has a unique 'fat dissolving' characteristic. This
is the essential oil most noted for use in reducing
cellulite, (it can be used by itself, or in a carrier and
massaged into those areas) and can be included in massage
blends for this application. It has been shown in laboratory
studies to increase the metabolism of adipose tissue
(fat cells, and specifically 'brown' fat cells.)
It is
also very useful for cleansing oily skin and helping with
acne due to its astringent nature. Key natural
constituents of the oil are Limonene and Myrcene.
Grapefruit oil may also be helpful with rheumatic
conditions where the joints feel warm and swollen, and a
burning sensation accompanies the pain.
In
aromatherapy applications, grapefruit is refreshing, cheering,
slightly euphoria-inducing and slightly energizing.
Grapefruit's sweet and familiar aroma can evoke warm
feelings that melt sour dispositions.
Grapefruit
essential oil is a "releasing" oil -- so personalities that
tend to harbor resentment or keep emotions bottled up can
benefit from inhaling this oil.
Emotional
Properties:
On psychological and emotional
levels, grapefruit is noted to assist in cases of depression
where one may tend to overindulge in food or chemicals to
pacify their pain. The oil may clear the psychological 'heat'
and congestion that result from self-criticism and blame,
promoting a lightness of spirit.
Grapefruit has also
been used to cultivate these positive qualitites: alertness,
confidence, performance, positivity. Grapefruit is helpful for
aggression, confusion, dejection, depression, exhaustion,
fatigue, fear, tiredness and withdrawal.
Spiritual Properties:
Grapefruit rouses the human spirit from slumber, giving it the
impetus to pay attention to the guidance being given to mankind.
Energizing and enlivening, it disallows the egocentricity of just
living for the body without making a connection with spirit.
It can thus reconnect mind, body and soul.
"If you can't eat it, don't put it on your skin."
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