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By Amelia E. Stone, RN
Common Name: Grapefruit
Latin Binomial: Citrus paradisi
Family: Rutaceae
Production Method: Cold Pressed
Countries of Origin: USA
Typical Constituents: [+]-Limonene (84.8-95.4%), b-Myrcene (1.4-3.6%), α-Pinene (0.2-1.6%), Sabinene (0.4-1.0%), Nootkatone (0.1-0.8%) NON-VOLATILE COMPOUNDS: Bergapten (0.012-0.19%), Epoxy-bergamottin (0.1126%), Bergamottin (<0.11%)
Description of Oil: pale yellow to clear, fresh, sweet, citrus odor
Description of Plant: A large, vigorous, glossy–leaved tree with white flowers and light yellow to orange fruits.
History, Folklore and Myth: Named ‘shaddock fruit’ after Captain Shaddock who introduced it to the West Indies. In 1930, the commercial production of the essential oil began in Florida.
Properties and Uses: antidepressant, antiseptic, detoxifier, stimulant, uplifting tonic
Precautions and Contraindications: Avoid old or oxidized oils. Maximum dermal use level 4%.
Other Interesting Information: Grapefruit is the only citrus species native to the New World.
References: Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. Virginia, Queensland, Australia: The Perfect Potion. 1995.
Tisserand, Robert, and Tony Balacs. Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. 1995.
Sellar, Wanda. The Directory of Essential Oils. London: Random House. 2005
Shutes, Jade. Advanced Aromatherapy Certification Program. East-West School for Herbal and Aromatic Studies. 2014