Excellent Aromatherapy Guide

(Citrus x paradisi)

Family: Rutaceae

Description: Grapefruit is a big tree with glossy leaves and large fruits. The essential oil is expressed from the peel of the ripe fruit.

Countries of origin: America, Brazil, Israel

Characteristics: Grapefruit has clean, fresh, light, sharp top notes with slightly sweet, citrousy undertones. It blends well with other citruses and spices, and also with palmarosa, neroli, rosemary, cypress, juniper, lavender, jasmine and ylang ylang.

Main therapeutic properties: Anti-depressant, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, astringent, depurative, diuretic, stimulant, tonic.

Grapefruit is useful in lymphatic drainage massage, helping to treat water retention and cellulite. It is good for a congested or over-heated liver and, in a morning bath blended together with rosemary and fennel, grapefruit can help to relieve a hangover. It has a tonic effect on the scalp and is useful in skin care for oily skin and acne. Overall, grapefruit is uplifting, cleansing and stimulating.

Psychologically, grapefruit is refreshing and reviving, helping to alleviate stress, depression, nervous exhaustion and tension. Like bergamot, it lifts the spirits in winter, and it is excellent blended in massage oils and bath oils to counteract emotional and physical exhaustion and lethargy. Grapefruit lifts self-esteem and promotes optimism.

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