Over the years, I’ve won the numbers game with germs by using borax and tea tree oil for their natural antibacterial properties. But I have a new favorite—an extract made from grapefruit seeds and pulp. The more I read about it, the more impressed I am. Grapefruit seed extract is a natural-source potent germ killer that’s versatile, nontoxic, broad spectrum, biodegradable, and effective at very low levels of concentration. It’s not new, but it hasn’t yet reached mainstream proportions. The seeds remarkable properties were recognized in 1964, when Florida physician Jacob Harich, MD—an Einstein Laureate physicist and immunologist specializing in the investigation of natural remedies—became interested in the fact that the grapefruit seeds in his compost weren’t rotting. (It’s well known to organic gardeners that citrus fruits are not suitable for composting because of their inherent ability to withstand the decaying process.) Dr. Harich took a closer look and discovered that the grapefruit seed contains quaternary compounds that are very potent anti-microbials yet are non-toxic to animal life when used appropriately. Since then, a wide range of laboratory tests have been conducted with impressive results—grapefruit seed extract (GSE) appears to be effective against approximately 800 bacteria and virus strains, 100 strains of fungi, and a great number of single-cell parasites. Europe’s leading AIDS research center, the Pasteur Institute in France, is in the process of researching the potential of GSE; European farmers use a powdered form of GSE in fish and poultry feed to fight the lethal bacteria salmonella and E. Coli; GSE is used in Canada, Australia, Mexico, and South America for sterilizing operating rooms and medical equipment, and in lieu of chlorine in some public swimming pools.
I’ve used GSE n a pump hand soap for years, and now use it for all my cleaning. I buy GSE concentrate and add one drop per ounce to dish soap and to a squirt-bottle mixture of all-purpose soap and water. (Three good natural soap brands are BI-o-Kleen, Lifetree, and Ecover. I still use Citrasolv when I need a degreaser (I love the orange-y scent, but it’s not a disinfectant.) The GSE concentrate lasts for months; 2 oz is about $10, 4 oz. is $18, quarts and gallons are available by order from Nutribiotic. Some health practitioners are recommending GSE for a number of internal applications, including bacterial and viral intestinal problems, gingivitis, dandruff, nail and foot fungi, and sinus and ear infections. There are quite a few companies making GSE products: here are the ones I know best:
Nutribiotics makes GSE concentrate and a line of products for beauty and health-care made from organically-grown grapefruit. Available at health food stores (ask them to order larger sizes for cleaning) or from the Vitamin Shoppe at 800-223-1216. Proseed offers a GSE concentrate and a line of personal care products. Ask your health food store or call 800-677-8577 for their catalog, orwww.imhotepinc.com .
Bi-o-Kleen cleaning products are still my favorites. They’re safe, effective, biodegradable, and already include grapefruit seed extract in their laundry powder and liquid, dish soap, degreaser soap (I tend to use this as my base soap for all cleaning, including hands), and spray cleaners. Ask your health food store, or call 503-557-0216, orwww.biokleenhome.com
I’ve used GSE n a pump hand soap for years, and now use it for all my cleaning. I buy GSE concentrate and add one drop per ounce to dish soap and to a squirt-bottle mixture of all-purpose soap and water. (Three good natural soap brands are BI-o-Kleen, Lifetree, and Ecover. I still use Citrasolv when I need a degreaser (I love the orange-y scent, but it’s not a disinfectant.) The GSE concentrate lasts for months; 2 oz is about $10, 4 oz. is $18, quarts and gallons are available by order from Nutribiotic. Some health practitioners are recommending GSE for a number of internal applications, including bacterial and viral intestinal problems, gingivitis, dandruff, nail and foot fungi, and sinus and ear infections. There are quite a few companies making GSE products: here are the ones I know best:
Nutribiotics makes GSE concentrate and a line of products for beauty and health-care made from organically-grown grapefruit. Available at health food stores (ask them to order larger sizes for cleaning) or from the Vitamin Shoppe at 800-223-1216. Proseed offers a GSE concentrate and a line of personal care products. Ask your health food store or call 800-677-8577 for their catalog, orwww.imhotepinc.com .
Bi-o-Kleen cleaning products are still my favorites. They’re safe, effective, biodegradable, and already include grapefruit seed extract in their laundry powder and liquid, dish soap, degreaser soap (I tend to use this as my base soap for all cleaning, including hands), and spray cleaners. Ask your health food store, or call 503-557-0216, orwww.biokleenhome.com
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