Research and History of Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE).
“Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) is an extremely useful, non-toxic, health-enhancing extract.* In its diluted form, GSE has many practical applications, both topically and internally.”*
“First discovered in the Caribbean Island of Barbados, the grapefruit tree was brought to Florida in 1823 for commercial cultivation. It wasn’t until 1919 that Yugoslavian-born physicist, Dr. Jacob Harich, discovered GSE’s health properties.
Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) was first examined for its antiparasitic benefits. Then for it’s ability to preserve and protect fruits and vegetables by inhibiting not only parasitic infection, but also fungi and bacteria. By the 1990’s, GSE was widely recommended for use by holistic health care professionals to protect the body from undesirable microorganisms.
The object of study and recommendation was not the entire grapefruit, nor its juice, but an extract derived from the grapefruit’s seed, pulp and white membrane. This extremely bitter extract was shown to be acidic and non-toxic, with antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
GSE has since been shown to protect against a broad spectrum of bacteria, including salmonella, staphyloccus, streptococcus and e-coli. It can also strongly inhibit many types of fungi and yeast. One of its most common applications is for Candida Albicans (excessive yeast). Due to its low pH level, it leaves good flora in the system untouched, while destroying the bad.
The antiparasitic action of GSE is effective against microorganisms and parasites, including Giardia Lamblia and Entamoeba Histolytica. These parasites infect humans and animals typically via water contamination and cause diarrhea and dysentery. This broad spectrum of applications and uses makes GSE a traveler’s must.
A mysterious skin disease is currently spreading across Florida, Texas, and California. Doctors are searching for solutions/answers on how to stop this epidemic. The disease, called Morgellon’s Disease, is a parasite-like infection that literally makes the infected person’s skin crawl. The disease has already been found in thousands of patients in Florida, Texas and California. Since the recent outbreak of “The Mystery Disease, called Morgellon’s Disease”, we have had many success stories with the use of the Agrisept-L®. To read more about Morgellon’s Disease click here.
Common external uses for GSE include as a mouthwash, and for cold sores, acne, head lice, athletes’ foot, nail fungi and warts. As an added benefit, when used as a wash, GSE can also preserve meats, fruits and vegetables by killing molds, fungi and more while cleaning insecticides and herbicides, the chemicals used to kill insects and weeds, found on our produce.
Finally, the antiseptic action of GSE makes it an effective product for cuts and wounds, as well as for washing dishes and utensils. In fact, many U.S. hospitals use GSE as a sanitizing agent.”* *Individual results may vary.
Kari Ann Harrison, BBA
Former Asantae and EYI Product Specialist
Corinne T. Netzer, Big Book Of Miracle Cures, 1999.
Kirschmann and Kirschmann, Nutrition Almanac, fourth edition, 1996.
Gale Malesky, Nature’s Medicines, 1999.
James A. Duke, The Green Pharmacy, 1997.
DID YOU KNOW?
“Any organic gardener or farmer can testify to the outstanding ability of citrus fruit to withstand proper decaying in the compost pile. Citrus rinds can take many months before decaying bacteria, and microbes can begin to permeate the skin, and up to two years to penetrate the seeds, and even then some seeds are strong and resistant enough to be sprouted.”*
Grapefruit Seed Extract is made by concentrating large amounts of the seeds, membranes and pulp in a highly acidic liquid. This liquid is a rich source of polyphenolic compounds such as quercitin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, campherol glycoside, naringin, apigenin, rutinoside, and poncirin. Polyphenols are unstable; however, chemical conversion to stable substances, in a diverse class of compounds called quaternary ammonium products or quats, makes them very useful.
Some quats are used industrially as anti-microbials (benzalkonium chloride) but are toxic to animal life. The B Vitamin Choline is a quat and serves the body as a co-enzyme, is non-toxic and essential for maintaining fat metabolism, healthy nerves, and neurological function.
Quaternary ammonium compounds from Grapefruit Seed Extract have yet to be fully understood, but they appear to feature highly anti-microbial and nontoxic properties. In fact, an acute toxicology study, performed by the prestigious Northview Pacific Laboratories (July 1995), reported that Grapefruit Seed Extract appeared safe at the preposterously high levels of 300,000 mg per day. Typical consumption of powders is 1,000 mg per day in severe cases.
“In the 1970s, bacterial parasites, such as Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba hystolytica, Cryptosporidium and Blastocystis hominis, were of little concern to practitioners and rarely known by the average citizen. Today, over 50 per cent of our domestic water supplies are carrying unacceptable levels of these disease-carrying bacteria and protozoa. Standard antibiotic treatment for these infestations is proving to be unsuccessful.”*
“It is estimated, for the U.S., that a typical four year old child, will have ten(10) courses of antibiotics, consisting of 2 doses per day, for 10 days, making a total of 200 doses. The accumulation of an average dose of two(2) courses per year for the next eight or nine years adds up to an additional 320 doses. As adults, additional doses may be added for surgeries, colds, flu’s, injuries, bites, and dental procedures. This adds up to a possible 1,000 to 1,500 doses by the age of 50!”*
“The problems with excessive antibiotic therapies are multiple. Antibiotics such as Ketoconazole, Diflucan, and Nizarel are, potentially, so toxic that usage must be monitored for liver damage. Furthermore, recent studies indicate that the use of certain anti-histamines, taken at the same time, may have serious or even fatal consequences.”*
“Medical researchers generally admit that prescription antibiotics are immune system suppressants. Many of us are alive today because of the availability of antibiotic medications. However, overuse has caused the destruction of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, and 20 other beneficial bacteria that are essential to our health, digestion and immunity. These probiotics are producers of our natural antibiotics, powerful antifungal enzymes, and are capable of making Vitamin Bs and Cs.”*
“Overuse of antibiotics has also created mutant microbes that are resistant to the newest and most advanced prescription medications. Gonorrhea (Gonococcus neiseria) and tuberculosis are diseases that appeared to be under control but are now reappearing, particularly in large cities.”*
“In September of 1995, the American Medical Association (AMA) finally began to focus on the promiscuous use of antibiotics as a serious health problem not only to those who consumed them but also to everyone because they produce mutant strains of microbes. The most newsworthy of late is the mutant strain of Staphlococcus that has gained notoriety as the “flesh eating bacteria” responsible for several deaths in the U.S. and Europe. This bacteria is so aggressive that death may ensue in a matter of a few days despite the most powerful medical intervention available.”*
“Grapefruit Seed Extract has been studied at more than 80 laboratories and medical schools. Hundreds of laboratory tests (en vitro – test tubes, petri dishes) have demonstrated Grapefruit Seed Extract to kill and inhibit the growth of a wide array of harmful bacteria, fungus, viruses, and protozoan parasites. Since the early 1970s, eminent companies such as Alpha Chemical and Biomedical Labs, Petaluma CA, Association of Consulting Chemists and Chemical Engineers, BioResearch Labs, Redmond WA, Brigham Young University, Provo UT, Department of Health and Human Services, FDA, Washington DC, and the Department of Food Science, University of Florida, Gainesville FL have proven Grapefruit Seed Extract to be effective against Brucella abortus, Escherichia (E) coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Legionella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhi, Clostridium botulinum, Staphlococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus viridans, Candida albicans, Monilla albicans, Campylobacter jejuni, Chlamydia trachomatis, Giardia lamblia, Herpes simplex virus Type 1, Helicobacter pylori, Influenza A2 virus and many more.
In summary, Grapefruit Seed Extract is:”*
“Utilization of Grapefruit Seed Extract to clean fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, and fish has been proven to extend shelf life and eliminate potentially harmful bacteria. The applications for cleaning door knobs and food preparation surfaces, baths, showers, or internally in our bodies appears to be a significant and worthwhile investment in ourselves, our pets, and our environment.”*
*Disclaimer: Individual results may vary.