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by Tina Wellman,
Natural Antibiotics:
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Given the increase in pathogens everywhere (bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral), it is time to consider natural antibiotic
alternatives that are without
the negative side effects of pharmaceutical
compounds. After years of downplaying the
dangers of excessive use of antibiotics, the AMA
has recently issued some important
directives. To avoid the creation of an even
greater number of highly resistant super germs,
it is now believed that it is imperative for
practitioners to be taught to use antibiotics far more
sparingly. Given this current admonition,
coupled with the fact that antibiotic use, aside
from it’s oral ingestion, is plentifully found
and ingested via our food chain (poultry, fish,
meats, eggs and dairy), a broad spectrum natural
substance such as grapefruit seed extract
(GSE) can be used widely and effectively.
Determining Antibiotic Efficacy:
Allen Sachs, D.C., C.C.N., author of The
Authoritative Guide to Grapefruit Seed Extract,
enumerates the following criteria for delineating
the ideal antibiotic: “It must have broad
spectrum application, be powerful and effective,
non-toxic, have minimal impact on
beneficial bacteria, be well researched, derived
from natural sources, hypo-allergenic,
biodegradable, compatible with other natural
remedies and affordable.” Considering that
grapefruit seed extract meets all these specifications,
Dr. Sachs notes it has proven itself
safe, effective and non-toxic for topical and
internal use with far-reaching internal,
industrial and domestic application.
 Application of grapefruit seed extract:
The diverse germicidal use of grapefruit
seed extract would fill a recipe book.
Indeed one finds GSE a diverse and
indispensable function in the
kitchen, suitable domestically
and commercially
as a sanitizer (for dishes
and utensils), produce
wash, adjunct ingredient
to dish soaps
and natural disinfecting
solutions for countertops, floors, sinks and refrigerators.
Butcher blocks, a
seedbed for harboring
food-borne pathogens
(salmonella bacteria), are
easily sanitized by washing and
then applying a 10–20 drop solution of
GSE (diluted with water). Work it into the
board with a damp sponge, leave it on for at
least five minutes or just leave it to dry without
rinsing.
Its benign aroma is an added feature, particularly
for those with chemical sensitivities
who find grapefruit seed extract a viable and
pleasant alternative to the noxious fumes and
reactions (skin, olfactory, lung) of commercial
chemicals such as chlorinated compounds.
Bathroom Bugs and Toiletries:
Invisible predators lurk in nooks and crannies,
particularly in restrooms. As an all-purpose
disinfectant, 30–60 drops of grapefruit seed
extract per 32 ounce spray bottle can be used
alone or in combination with natural allpurpose
cleaners to sanitize commodes, sinks,
shower stalls, bathtubs and wastebaskets. The
customary fumes emitted from grout cleaners,
ammoniated compounds (glass and floor
cleaners), and the multiple toxic chemical
compounds used to clean bathrooms make
this non-toxic approach favorable for anyone
(in the workplace, at home, those with
young children, around the aged, those with
compromised lung problems or chemical
sensitivities) who wants to preserve his/her
health. Additionally, GSE ’s economical virtues
(reasonable price) enable one to reduce a cabinet
full of chemicals in favor of a basic soap
and natural disinfecting agent. Using powerful
chemicals (like drugs) to control a situation is
not necessarily the optimal way when a less
toxic, non-invasive approach can be accessed
without paying health consequences.
As a toiletry mainstay, GSE offers extensive
and practical daily application (domestically
and for travel). In liquid form GSE drops can
be used in water piks as a germ-killing additive
to destroy bacteria that cause plaque and
gingivitis. Three drops added to five or six
ounces of water is a basic oral rinse recipe. Put
a drop of grapefruit seed extract on your
toothbrush along with your regular natural
toothpaste for added germ-killing effect.
Applications and Dilutions
for Grapefruit Seed Extract
- Water pik: 3–4 drops GSE per reservoir.
- Oral rinse: 3 drops per 5 ounces of water.
- Toothbrush: l drop with or without toothpaste.
- Facial cleanser: 2–3 drops applied to fingertips and massaged onto a premoisten face.
- Skin disorders: 5–10 drops GSE mixed with l tablespoon of water applied to affected areas (athlete’s foot, insect bites, skin irritations).
- Nasal rinse: l drop per 1–2 ounces of water. Spray into nostrils with head upright, using eye dropper or nasal sprayer.
- Dish/utensil sanitizer: 15–30 drops added to a sink of dishwashing water or to dishwasher.
- Laundry sanitizer: 10 drops per small load, 15 drops per large load. (Best results obtained when used in final rinse.)
- Traveler’s diarrhea: 3–4 drops per 5 ounces of water taken daily as a preventative.
- Toothbrush sanitizer: 5–10 drops per glass of water. (Soak toothbrush a minimum of 10 minutes.)
- Sore throat: 3 drops GSE stirred into 5 ounces of water. (Use as a gargle.)
- Douche: 1–3 drops per 6–8 ounces of water. Douche once a per day for one week.
- Scalp disorders (dandruff, etc.): 5–10 drops along with regular shampoo. (Massage into scalp. Leave it to set a few minutes. Rinse as usual.)
- Produce/meat/poultry wash: 30 drops per sink full of cold water. (Or spray wash [10 drops GSE per 32-ounce spray bottle] vegetables, fruits, poultry and meats to extend shelf life.)
- Cutting board sanitizer: 10–20 drops GSE applied to board after washing using, a wet sponge. (Let it sit five minutes. Rinse or leave it on without rinsing. Effective against a wide variety of microorganisms including salmonella.)
- All purpose disinfectant: 30–60 drops GSE per 32-ounce spray bottle mixed with water. (Use on sinks, commodes, countertops, fixtures, floors, in wastebaskets or any location that harbors or breeds germs.)
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Given the variety of grapefruit seed extract products currently available in the health market,
a basic GSE toiletry arsenal includes gum
cleanser (for disinfecting and relieving sore
gums), ear drops, nail drops (for hand and toenail
fungus) and foot powder (a superb alternative
to commercial talcum powder). Applying
grapefruit seed extract nail drops and using GSE
in liquid soap (instead of an antimicrobial soap
which destroys both friendly and unfriendly
bacteria) is one healthy approach to maintaining
hand/nail hygiene. GSE antifungal foot
powder, aside from its application for athlete’s
foot, can be used as a deodorizing powder and
overall body powder even for infants (to alleviate
diaper rash). As a facial cleanser two to three
drops of grapefruit seed extract with water or
mixed with your favorite natural facial cleanser
provides added antiseptic benefits. GSE herbal
spray such as Imhotep’s Ouch and Itch spray
has versatile antiseptic utility as a deodorant or
as a relief aid for poison oak/ivy, bug bites, sunburn,
razor burn and scratches. GSE herbal
throat relief spray (a mixture of herbs and GSE)
can be carried in your purse or travel bag to
soothe those unexpected throat tickles that
occur at the most inconvenient times. GSE
feminine douche is a viable alternative to the
chemically laden, perfumed commercial versions.
A quick caveat about deodorants; grapefruit
seed extract is not an antiperspirant. Rather it
kills the bacteria, the source of odor. It does not
impede sweating. From a health perspective it is
unhealthy to block lymph channels from perspiring
toxins which the body is eliminating.
The skin, the body’s largest organ for elimination,
must be encouraged to breathe and excrete
poisons. Minimizing offensive odors is the goal
here, not sacrificing one’s health for social
etiquette. The commercial marketing caption
“never let them see you sweat” convinces the
public to sacrifice health for ego’s sake. Would
you control incontinence by plugging the
urethra to avoid embarrassment? Would you
sew the rectum closed to avoid eliminating at
an inconvenient time? Often confined in
foxholes for days, even our special armed forces
catheterize themselves during intervals to
facilitate elimination—graphically gruesome
comparisons but they are on target. Blocking
sweat glands is reckless and dangerous.
If you travel routinely, consider including
GSE drops or caps in your travel bag. Treat any
drinking water with a few drops and use judiciously
as a preventative measure against
unwanted parasitic visitors that take refuge in
your food entrees and beverages. This practice
should ward off Montezuma’s revenge or traveler’s
diarrhea. A pocket-size spray bottle filled
with pure water, a few GSE drops, some lavender
oil and tea tree oil (test for sensitivity)
makes a quick and easy natural antiseptic hand
cleaner when lavatory facilities aren’t readily
accessible.
Candida Companions:
A discourse on grapefruit seed extract would be
incomplete without addressing its pivotal role in
controlling Candida proliferation. As an opportunistic
fungus, Candida albicans is quickly becoming a household word. Normally inhabiting
the gastrointestinal tract, mouth and throat,
its overgrowth is responsible for debilitating
symptoms ranging from oral thrush to leaky gut
syndrome with simultaneous compounding
emotional symptoms including depression and
mood swings. Leo Galland, M.D. notes a twofold
benefit (tolerance and effectiveness) using GSE
instead of conventional antifungals (nystatin,
amphotericin).
Canadian naturopath, Dr. David Bayley, finds
GSE simpler to regulate (dosages) than other
anti-yeast compounds, without the unpleasant
after taste—an asset for any age group. He notes
both its efficacy and economic virtues make it a
desirable product. Although grapefruit seed
extract leaves no aftertaste, it is still “the taste you
love to hate,” according to Dr. William Kellas. To
camouflage the acrid flavor, GSE can be mixed
with juice. Undiluted, its bitter taste may leave
you puckering for hours.
Jay Gordon, M.D., recommends a dilution
ratio of five drops per four ounces of water as a
baby bottom “wash” with each diaper change.
Dr. Gordon uses a similar dilution for treating
refractory diaper rashes and oral thrush in
children.
Institutional application for grapefruit seed extract:
Bathing facilities: As an alternative to conventional
toxic chemicals, GSE is an effective and safe
alternative for use in humidifiers (a source of
algae and molds that increases susceptibility to
upper respiratory infections) and as a germicide
and chlorine alternative in the laundry (chlorine
bleach destroys most organisms). In South
American swimming and bathing facilities
(including hot tubs and Jacuzzi) GSE extract commonly
replaces bactericides, algaecides and fungicides.
Noxious chlorinated bubbles and skin
irritation are bypassed when substituted with
GSE. When water clarity is not a priority, GSE can
substitute for the aforementioned
chemicals by itself, otherwise a combination of
the two (grapefruit seed extract and chlorine) can
be used simultaneously, since clouded water
turbidity lacks eye appeal.
Laundry sanitation: As a sanitizing agent in
hospitals, grapefruit seed extract is a premiere
additive for hospital laundry, resulting in
linens that are bacteria and fungi free. Laundry
operations manager at The Florida Hospital,
Jerry Skidmore, C.L.M., finds peace of mind
knowing that after a 30-year residency in the
laundry industry, he has full confidence in GSE’s
antibacterial/antifungal properties to maintain
sanitary linens. Confidence in GSE’s germicidal
capabilities is expanding its horizons to include
application in hospital carpet shampooing
machines. Ten to 15 drops of GSE per gallon
reservoir is sufficient to destroy commonly
known hospital pathogens (staph, strep, salmonella
and aspergillus).
Medical facilities: It is timely for medical
facilities to take advantage of this non-toxic
antimicrobial in critical health care areas since
nosocomial infections are increasingly prevalent.
Operating rooms are using GSE at higher
dilutions for disinfecting/sterilizing purposes.
Clinics incorporate GSE in their inhalators as
part of their protocol for modulating respiratory
infections. No telling how rapid the list of applications
will multiply over time for this innocuous,
safe, environmentally-friendly germicide. Staff,
patients and visitors all reap GSE’s benefits by
avoiding toxic chemicals in favor of a safe antimicrobial
with both expansive and inexpensive
application for use internally and externally.
Additionally, GSE’s efficacy is punctuated by
showing no demonstrable resistance, in contrast
to pharmaceutical antibiotics.
Future prospects for grapefruit seed extract:
The sisterhood of economics and politics mitigates
expanding in vitro testing of GSE to include
in vivo studies, particularly for viral testing.
Whereas antiprotozoan (fungal and bacterial)
testing has proven effective for GSE, quality
testing for viral application is tedious, aside from
its economical hindrances. On a positive note
“Grapefruit Seed Extract Report” cites several
viral related studies that could catapult GSE
research into future limelight. Microbiology/
virology and GSE researcher William Shannon,
Ph.D., cites promising grapefruit seed extract
effectiveness in deactivating herpes simplex virus
l and influenza type A2 virus. A South American
lab satisfactorily tested GSE against measles virus
and the USDA determined that four animal
viruses (avian influenza, swine vesicular disease,
foot and mouth disease and African swine fever)
succumbed to GSE’s activity.
Despite the current absence of a large labor
pool and matching monetary resources to fund
GSE research, there is hope that GSE’s innocuous
yet potent antimicrobial and germicidal potential
will elicit scientific interest. Public interest and
consumer demand will drive the market to
respond to our needs. Grapefruit seed extract
researcher and associate professor Dr. Roger
Wyatt points to grapefruit seed extract’s promising
future as a subject to be researched for a
fundamental reason: “The lack of toxicological
properties of grapefruit seed extract is also
impressive when one views the efficacy
data . . . extremely small concentrations of the
product can be used with marked beneficial
results.” Given the impressive status and safety
report, GSE’s versatility could readily become a
household and commercial standard ingredient.
Its inherent selling features appeal to a wide
audience—it is safe, non-toxic, environmentally
friendly, and it has broad spectrum antimicrobial
and germicidal properties. Economics
may be limiting it’s research, but not it’s
availability nor it’s utility in an era when the
urgency for safe, efficacious germ inhibitors are at
an all-time high.
Grapefruit seed extract should be handled
cautiously at full strength. Avoid contact with
eyes and skin. Avoid breathing vapors. Wash skin
with water should GSE come in contact with skin
directly. Bio/chem labs (manufacturers of
Citricidal) notes this natural extractive is listed
as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) and has
been tested in both human and animals. It is
recognized as non-toxic and at dilutions up to
two percent considered non-irritating. It is also
non-corrosive. Always test a product for
allergenicity and sensitivity.
For further information contact:
Dr. Tina Wellman at ECS Distributors
Phone: 817-652-3792 fax: 817-652-1543
E-mail:
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