How To Use Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) For Sinus Infections, Digestive Issues, UTI And Diabetes
According to WebMD, 37 million Americans suffer from at least one episode of sinusitis each year. Sinus troubles leave many struggling for weeks and months on end. Stuffy and congested nose, pain between the eyes or in the forehead and upper teeth ache, are just some of the irritating and painful symptoms of a sinus infection. But there is a natural cure for sinus infection: grapefruit seed extract (GSE) is an extremely potent natural remedy that can effectively fight sinus infections.
From my own personal experience, I know that sinus infections can be truly debilitating and I’ve written a number of articles on how to beat sinus infection: the best home remedies for sinus infection and how to use horseradish to treat sinus infection. I believe that if you want to beat a sinus infection, it’s best to combine different types of treatments. In this article I want to describe how I virtually solved my chronic sinus infection using grapefruit seed extract (GSE).
Grapefruit seed extract (GSE), which is made from the pulp and the seeds of the grapefruit, acts as a natural antibiotic. It has antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral properties and is a very versatile natural remedy.(1, 2, 3)
The grapefruit’s high vitamin C content and other healing nutrients help the body defeat infection and relieve congestion. GSE is considered to be an effective way to deal with sinusitis and has long lasting results.
I’ve used grapefruit seed extract when I had sinus infection that lasted a few weeks and I had great results. Within days I’ve noticed an amazing improvement: the pressure that I had in my sinuses has disappeared and I was able to breath properly through my nose. I found out that many other people had great experience when using GSE to treat their sinus infection.
What Can You Expect From GSE?
- It’s antibacterial and antiviral but it doesn’t harm beneficial intestinal flora in the intestines.
- It’s natural and safe and doesn’t contain any potentially harmful chemicals.
- Unlike some other treatments, it doesn’t dry and dehydrate the body.
- It stabilizes the body’s pH, which has an overall positive effect on the body and aids disease prevention.
- It works as a natural antiseptic.
- It’s easy to use.
- It provides the body with some additional nutrients that support health and well-being.
How to Use Grapefruit Seed Extract to Treat Sinus Infections
You can take GSE in different forms: you can irrigate the nasal passages, take it in a capsule or tablet form or drink it mixed with water (or other fluid).
Based on my own experience, the most effective way to use GSE for sinus infection is to irrigate your sinuses using saline water mixed with a few drops of GSE. You should always mix the GSE with water as it’s extremely concentrated and it may burn and irritate your sinuses if it’s too concentrated.
It’s interesting to note that there is an approval of a patent discussing the use of grapefruit seed extract for cleansing the sinuses to reduce inflammation and improve breathing. There are other ingredients in the sinus irrigation liquid mentioned in the patent: baptisia tinctoria, colloidal silver, salt and water.(8)
How to Irrigate Your Sinuses With GSE
Mix a few drops of GSE with ¼ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water (240ml / 8 fl oz). You should NEVER use tap water for your sinus irrigation – use bottled water that has been distilled or sterilized, or previously boiled and cooled down water to make sure it is free from bacteria.
Use the mixture to irrigate the nasal cavities – this is best done by using a sinus rinse bottle or a neti pot.
For those unfamiliar with a neti pot, this is a ceramic or plastic pot that has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. It acts as a container and is designed to rinse debris or mucus from your nasal cavity. The other option is to use a squeeze bottle (this is what I’ve used) and I found it very easy to use. You can find more information about the type of bottle I’ve used (including an image) in my article about the best home remedies for sinus infection.
When using GSE for the first time, start with only one drop to see how your body reacts to the GSE and this would also allow you to get used to the smell and taste of GSE as it’s quite bitter.
You can gradually increase the number of GSE drops you mix with your saline water. I’ve used 6 drops and I believe that this is the maximum that you should use. I’ve experimented with more than 6 drops but I found out that it started to irritate my sinuses.
I’ve washed my sinuses 3 times per day for a period of one week. It shouldn’t irritate your sinuses and it shouldn’t burn but it does have a certain bitter taste and smell. But don’t worry, you get used to the taste and smell quickly and after a few washes you won’t notice the taste or the smell.
Drink GSE Mixed With Water
Another option is to use GSE mixed with water (you can also use juice) – I’ve mixed 20 drops of GSE with half a glass of water and drank it 3 time a day. You should always start with just a few drops to see how your body reacts and then gradually increase the number of GSE drops you put in the water.
Your GSE may be more concentrated than mine so you may need to put a smaller number of drops and you should have the instructions on your GSE bottle.
Other Health Benefits of Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)
In addition to treating sinus infection, GSE was found to be helpful in treating digestive issue, diabetes and urinary tract infection (UTI).
Grapefruit Seed Extract for Treating Digestive Issues
Grapefruit seed extract can help treating H. pylori infection. (4) Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori) is bacteria that may aggressively attack the lining of the stomach. Some of the symptoms of H. pylori infection are stomach ulcers, pain, and general digestive upset. There are other proven natural remedies that can help treat Helicobacter Pylori infection.
Grapefruit seed extract can help to protect your stomach from damage caused by stress and alcohol consumption. (5)
A study found that grapefruit seed extract was effective in treating intestinal infections caused by Candida, Geotrichum sp and hemolytic E. Coli. The participants in the study who received the GSE had a definite improvement in digestive issues such as constipation, flatulence, and abdominal discomfort. (6)
There are no exact guidelines on how much GSE you need to use in order to improve your digestive health. However in the last study I mentioned, participants consumed 2 drops of grapefruit seed extract mixed with 200 mL water twice daily for one month. (6)
Grapefruit Seed Extract Can Help Treat Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A small study from 2005 found that fresh or dried grapefruit seed extract can help treat UTI in men and women. (7)
The researchers suggest that “the 8-hourly dosage of 5 to 6 seeds of grapefruit seeds taken for a 2-week period may have an effect that is comparable to other proven antibacterial drugs.” (7)
However it is worth noting that it was a small study that only involved 4 patients.
Grapefruit Seed Extract Can Help Treating Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
A study on diabetic rats found that GSE can be helpful in reducing fasting blood glucose levels. The study also found that there was a reduction in the levels of LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) while the “good” HDL cholesterol increased. The researchers concluded that “Results of this study lend support to the traditional use of grapefruit seeds in the management of type 1 diabetic patients” (8)
Another study concluded that GSE can be helpful in treating type 2 diabetes. The study found that GSE helped to reduce fasting blood glucose levels and reduce cardiovascular disease risks. (9)
Allergic Reactions To GSE
In rare cases, there have been reports of an allergy to GSE. The allergic reaction will usually present with rash, facial swelling, lightheadedness or a drop in blood pressure. If you experience such symptoms, you need to contact a doctor immediately.
Most people, however, report excellent results with no side effects, and the benefits of GSE can usually be observed very soon after taking the extract.
I am curious to know if you’ve used GSE in the past and what was your experience – please leave your message in the comments below.
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