< previous page | page_44 | next page >
Page 44
| bacteria, fungi, yeast, mold, viruses, parasites and other pathogens on contact. Originally developed as a natural fungicide to protect fruits and vegetables during shipping, this bitter-tasting extract has made its way into the health food market as a supplement. Available in the form of capsules of liquid extracts, some of the common brand names for this product are Nutribiotic, Proseed and Citricidal. Grapefruit seed extract is nontoxic in dilute solution but must never be used full strength. In laboratory tests, it has been shown to be effective against a wide variety of pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Candida albicans, Aspergillus spp., Entamoeba histolytica, herpes simplex virus, type 1, influenza A2 virus and Giardia lamblia. |
| It is this last parasite, Giardia, that often contaminates mountain streams and other water sources of campers and hikers. Grapefruit seed extract can be added to drinking water to prevent this problem as well as traveler's diarrhea. One company makes a product called "Traveler's Friend," for this very purpose. Dilute solutions of the extract can be used for skin ailments, athlete's foot, fungal and yeast infections and gargle for sore throats. Advocates suggest using a few drops mixed into 8 ounces of water as a douche for vaginal infections and adding 3 or 4 drops to a small glass of water as an oral rinse for gingivitis and gum disease. In a spray bottle, combined with essential oils of chamomile and tea tree, grapefruit seed extract can promote healing of poison ivy rash, cold sores and fever blisters. CJ Puotinen recommends adding 1/8 teaspoon of grapefruit seed extract to the water reservoir of your humidifier once a week and adding a few drops daily thereafter, as a disinfectant. |
| Licorice |
| (Glycyrrhiza glabra) |
| Part used: Root |
| Actions: Demulcent, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antitussive, antiviral, hepatoprotectant, adrenal tonic, laxative. |
< previous page | page_44 | next page >

If you like this book, buy it!