Grapefruit

• Scientific Name: Citrus Paradisi

• Botanical Family: Rutaceae

• Origins: United States

• Source of Plant’s Oil: Peels

• Scent Description: Bright, Sweet, Sour, and Citrusy.

• Element: Fire

• Planet: Sun

• Associated Deity: Alectrona

• Magical Attributes: Cleansing, Healing, Protection, Purification, and Uplifting.

Grapefruit is a source of vitamin C, fiber, potassium, pectin, and other nutrients. Some components might have antioxidant effects that might help protect cells from damage or reduce cholesterol. Grapefruit is a citrus fruit. People use the fruit, oil from the peel, and extracts from the seed as medicine. Grapefruit seed extract is processed from grapefruit seeds and pulp obtained as a byproduct from grapefruit juice production. Vegetable glycerin is added to the final product to reduce acidity and bitterness. Grapefruit is commonly taken by mouth for weight loss. It is also used for asthma, high cholesterol, cancer, and many other conditions, but there is not good scientific evidence to support these other uses. In food and beverages, grapefruit is consumed as a fruit, juice, and is used as a flavoring component. In manufacturing, grapefruit oil and seed extract are used as a fragrance component in soaps and cosmetics; and as a household cleaner for fruits, vegetables, meats, kitchen surfaces, dishes, and others. In agriculture, grapefruit seed extract is used to kill bacteria and fungus, fight mold growth, kill parasites in animal feeds, preserve food and disinfect water. It's important to remember that drug interactions with grapefruit juice are well documented. The chemistry of the grapefruit varies by the species, the growing conditions, and the process used to extract the juice. Before adding grapefruit to your diet or your list of natural medicines, check with your healthcare provider if you take medications. Not enough is known about the use of grapefruit during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. There is concern about the safety of drinking excessive amounts of grapefruit juice. Some research suggests that postmenopausal women who consume a quart or more of grapefruit juice every day have a 25% to 30% increased chance of developing breast cancer. Grapefruit juice decreases how estrogen is broken down in the body and might increase estrogen levels in the body. More research is needed to confirm these findings. Until more is known, avoid drinking excessive amounts of grapefruit juice, especially if you have breast cancer or are at higher than usual risk for developing breast cancer. Consuming large amounts of grapefruit might increase hormone levels and therefore increase the risk of hormone sensitive conditions. Women with hormone sensitive conditions should avoid grapefruit.

Place dried Grapefruit rind scented with a few drops of essential Oil on the bedside table of a sickroom to lend healing energies to the ill person. Grapefruit is an interesting ally for protection. Instead of merely forming a protective egg or sphere around the protected, Grapefruit’s solar energy burns away the threads of the threat to friends and loved ones. Simply add a drop of Grapefruit oil to cotton and place it another protective essential oil such as lavender or frankincense will make the effects even stronger. The hormonal-regulating magic of Grapefruit is well known, It not only dissipates hormonal-related irritability, it can even soothe the symptoms of menopause. Consider a gently scented Grapefruit spritz for magically banishing premenstrual symptoms and menopause difficulties.