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Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) can be a totally natural remedy for Candida infections, and many different bacterial infections. Yet, many GSE products will contain synthetic chemicals and are not totally natural. Research has demonstrated that pure unadulterated GSE does possess powerful antifungal efficacy. So, if you are not averse to using something with some artificial chemical additives, you will probably find that it will work well to clear up a yeast infection. But, even if you don’t want all the synthetic extras in your GSE, you might be able to locate a pure form of this natural remedy. If the ingredients and constituents of a particular GSE product are stated explicitly, it is probably likely that you’ll be able to determine the purity of such a product. Yet, as stated later, there are a host of other natural remedies to choose from even if you opt to not use GSE for your thrush problems!
Typical Dosages for Grapefruit Seed Extract
If you are looking to take liquid GSE orally, you may want to reconsider your choice. In order to be effective, you should be taking at a minimum of 4 drops of liquid GSE in about 200mL of water three times a day. Liquid GSE will taste bitter and unpleasant, so upping that dosage may be very undesirable. Fortunately, you can take GSE in a pill form; probably a lot more easy to do, as you won’t taste it! For oral dosage of pills, try taking at least a 150 mg GSE pill 3 times a day.
For topical application, you can put several drops of liquid GSE into coconut oil or honey to use directly on the skin or in the vagina. It would be a great idea to add some powdered cinnamon to the mixture as well (cinnamon powder is antifungal and will help halt a Candida infection). You can also add GSE to diluted apple cider vinegar for a vaginal douche. The acidifying of the vagina caused by the vinegar, in tandem with the antifungal ability of GSE, should make a powerful combination. Just make sure not to use more than a 1% concentration of the vinegar; as vinegar can cause irritation and chemical burns when used at full strength. If you do not dilute your vinegar enough; you could end up with a douche that irritates, or even burns, the vaginal skin. You should use no more than a 1% concentration even on the skin, as vinegar is quite acidic.
As research and many others will tell you, GSE is frequently mixed with synthetic chemicals. These chemicals may make the regular GSE product unsuitable to use inside an infant's mouth for thrush, or on other sensitive areas of a baby's body. You’d be better off using some honey, coconut oil, cinnamon, and garlic with babies. These are all foods; and, therefore are super safe. And, these foods are all very effective natural remedies for yeast infections (thrush). So take care before you use a GSE product on your baby; it would probably be best to avoid GSE for infants, due to the added chemicals present in some products.
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Visit Official Site!Grapefruit Seed Extract Research
As already stated, it is common for GSE to contain artificial chemicals. One study sought to determine the prevalence of synthetic preservatives in GSE products. The study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry [54.11 (2006): 3768-3772]. The researchers found that 7 out of 9 GSE products contained artificial chemicals. According to the researchers in this study, “The samples either contained benzethonium chloride (2.5−176.9 mg/mL) or benzalkonium chloride (138.2−236.3 mg/mL), together with smaller amounts of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid esters, benzoic acid, and salicylic acid.”
One study, published in Acta Pharmaceutica [54.3 (2004): 243-250], stated that some research had shown that the antimicrobial efficacy of GSE was due to artificial preservatives added to some GSE products. The study related prior findings, that GSE products frequently contained artificial agents—such as methyl parabene, benzethonium chloride, and triclosan. The study also reported, that some research done on GSE that did not contain these or similar artificial chemicals, showed no activity against fungi or bacteria. So, in an effort to finally determine if natural GSE without artificial chemicals would inhibit bacteria and fungi, the researchers created their own natural GSE, and tested it against various bacteria and fungi. The researchers used dry grapefruit pulp and seeds in a 4 to 1 ratio, and dissolved it in ethanol until 33% of the mass of the mixture’s total volume was comprised of the grapefruit material (33% m / V).
The researchers tested out their self made GSE on 20 bacterial strains and 10 yeast strains. The study found that all the Gram positive bacteria could be inhibited by their GSE; and, none of the Gram negative bacteria were inhibited by their GSE. Concerning the yeast—the heart of the issue—four different species were used in the tests: C. albicans (3 strains), C. krusei (2 strains), C. tropicalis (2 strains), and C. parapsilosis (1 strain). The study found that 16.5% concentrations of GSE stopped the growth of all the Candida strains. So, this study shows that pure GSE is a very viable, potent inhibitor of many different types of Candida. The researchers in the study, had these concluding remarks concerning the findings of their scientific investigation into GSE:
It has been established that the fully natural ethanolic extract of grapefruit seeds and pulp affects the tested bacteria and yeasts remarkably, but exerts less antimicrobial efficacy compared to some commercial preparations reported in the literature. These differences may be partly caused by the differences in the contents of polyphenols, especially flavonoids. This allows the conclusion that antibacterial and antifungal properties of commercially available products should not necessarily be the consequence only of the presence of synthetic preservative agents, as some authors claim.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15610620
Another study, conducted by the Biological Sciences Department of California Polytechnic State Institute in 2005, analyzed how several natural treatments for Candida albicans compared to antifungal drugs commonly used for this condition. Among these natural remedies tested was GSE. The type of GSE extract used was a liquid concentrate; and, it was diluted in water to arrive at the final concentrations utilized by the researchers. The researchers found that GSE performed about as well against Candida as the drug miconazole (miconazole is the active ingredient in Monistat products). A concentration of 100 - 120 mcg / mL of GSE and miconazole demonstrated similar inhibitory power against Candida albicans.
Yet another study, published in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine [5.155 (1990): 8], relates the effects ParaMicrocidin (a commercially available product; possibly always using GSE) demonstrated in vitro (external, in glass) and in vivo (in the living). The study referred to this product as a citrus seed extract; and may not have specified it was GSE. The study was done on 25 consenting patients who all suffered from atopic eczema. Of these 25 patients, 14 of them experienced digestive dysfunction after eating high carbohydrate meals. The study also found that the patient's fecal matter was also showing signs of dysbiosis in the intestines; as there was an elevated number of certain bacteria and Candida in their fecal matter. These findings are also generally associated with dramatically reduced counts of lactic acid producing bacteria in the digestive system. The study found that when tested in vitro, ParaMicrocidin had a powerful ability to stop Candida yeast, moulds, and other bacteria. The study reported that ParaMicrocidin worked in a similar manner as 30 powerful antibiotic drugs and 18 powerful antifungal drugs worked. Thus, the researchers stated that ParaMicrocidin is certainly an efficacious antibacterial and antifungal. The chart below was taken from the study and shows how well various concentrations of ParaMicrocidin worked at inhibiting these microbes.
The study found that by placing patients on a regimen of 150 mg ParaMicrocidin doses, three times daily for four weeks, also significantly reduced the amount of Candida present in the fecal matter. This clearly indicates that taking daily doses of ParaMicrocidin will help to rid the gut of pathogenic yeast. Over the four week duration of treatment with ParaMicrocidin, no adverse side effects were reported. Overall, the study likely shows that GSE is a safe, effective treatment for yeast infections. Additionally, the United States FDA has given GSE Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) certification; and, states there are no known side effects to using reasonable dosages of this item (UC Davis Study).
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Visit Official Site!Grapefruit Seed Extract without Chemicals
As one of the studies pointed out, and as the internet will reveal, there are often artificial chemicals added to GSE. One of the major chemicals GSE products contain is benzethonium chloride, which is sometimes sneakily named as diphenol hydroxybenzene—the two compounds are the same thing. Benzethonium chloride is found in cosmetics, toiletries, and household cleaners. You may not want to use GSE products as they are made using an intense chemical process and contain synthetic chemicals. It is going to be very difficult to prepare your own GSE, you’d probably be better off choosing another treatment. There are a lot of other very powerful alternatives to GSE that will work well and not contain strange, artificial chemicals. Things like herbs and essential oils can be used to naturally treat Candida infections. So don’t feel like you have nowhere to turn if you're concerned about the chemicals in GSE. Just take some time, if you have it, to learn a bit about some other natural remedies for Candida. Candida Hub has a lot of information about these treatments, here are two sections of this site that talk about such remedies:
Clair Goodall: Author & Nature Lover
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Visit Official Site!A Natural, 12 Hour Yeast Infection Cure
According to a research paper published in Clinical Microbiology Reviews [12.1 (1999): 80-96], Candida species are quite ubiquitous organisms. Candida are most frequently present in the mouth; and, live in 31% to 55% of healthy people. The species that causes approximately 70% to 80% of all Candida infections is C. albicans.
The Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology [2011 Jul;46(7):496] reports there appears to be a correlation between intestinal Candida infections and vaginal yeast infections. And, this provides a clue, as to why yeast infections in general, can reoccur.
This study states, in 148 cases of vaginal candida infections, 33.1% of the women were infected in both the intestines and vaginal area. The recurrence rate of yeast infections, in women with simultaneous intestinal infection, was significantly higher than for women who did not have an intestinal infection. This study concluded that vaginal yeast infections are highly associated with simultaneous intestinal Candida infection.
As research appears to indicate, systemic Candida infections can and do happen. A more systemic Candida infection may primarily get a foothold in the intestines; and cause a wide array of problems. If your yeast infections keep happening, a systemic Candida problem may be why.
One woman who suffered from a systemic Candida infection, for about 12 years, was Linda Allen. The systemic Candida infection that attacked Linda caused a wide range of health problems in addition to yeast infections. Some of these problems, Linda describes in her own words in the following quote:
To be honest, it was hard to pinpoint exactly what was wrong: I wasn’t really sick, but I wasn’t really well either. I had listlessness, fatigue, brain fog, stomach ailments, unexplained rashes, skin infections, and so on. It seemed like every day brought a new challenge.
My energy was sapped and I felt exhausted, which affected my grades and put a big dent in my social life.
Linda Allen’s symptoms included an embarrassing vaginal discharge, severe itching, and burning sensations. Her infections were difficult to deal with, and Linda’s health problems cost her financially as well. Linda states these infections of Candida can become excruciating when they happen as frequently as a menstrual period.
Yet, Linda spent a great deal of time in research; and even questioned health professionals who were kind enough to share some time with her. Linda even tried an array of purported "cures." Although it took a while, eventually, Linda put together a natural treatment plan she hoped would solve her Candida situation.
After spending about a year refining her new approach, Linda tried her system on herself. It worked amazingly well. Linda even returned to a few medical doctors to get tested for the presence of infections. These tests revealed all indicators of infection had vanished! Linda was indeed well again, after such a long, difficult journey.
Linda has since published a book detailing how to copy her success. She also includes a 12 hour yeast infection cure that can get rid of a superficial (such as a genital yeast infection or oral thrush) yeast infection in about 12 hours.
Linda’s publisher protects those who get her book with a 60 day, 100% money back guarantee. Linda’s publisher, a subsidiary of the United States based firm Keynetics Incorporated, is a reputable digital retailer that has been around for a long time. They have great customer service, and make getting a full refund on Linda’s book quick and easy. If you’re not satisfied, you can quickly get all your money back.
If you would like to learn more about Linda’s journey to freedom from Candida, see reviews of others who tried her natural system, or find out more about her efficacious book; you can find more information at Linda Allen’s website.
Author: Mr. Nicholas Gross
Nick Gross is a natural medicine enthusiast who has been researching and writing about natural medicine since 2008. Nick is primarily a web developer but also researches and authors written and video content about natural health. Nick has a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Northern Iowa.
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SOURCES:
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf060543d — Ganzera, Markus, Anita Aberham, and Hermann Stuppner. "Development and validation of an HPLC/UV/MS method for simultaneous determination of 18 preservatives in grapefruit seed extract." Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 54.11 (2006): 3768-3772. PubMed
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15610620 — Cvetnic, Z. D. E. N. K. A., and S. A. N. D. A. Vladimir-Knezevic. "Antimicrobial activity of grapefruit seed and pulp ethanolic extract." Acta Pharm 54.3 (2004): 243-250. PDF Available Here
- http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.560.3565&rank=1 — Ignacio, Ciara, and Dorothy Thai. "Comparative analysis of antifungal activity of natural remedies versus miconazole nitrate salt against Candida albicans." Biological Sciences Dept. California Polytechnic State Institute (2005). PDF Available Here
- http://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/1990/toc3.shtml — Ionescu, G., et al. "Oral citrus seed extract in atopic eczema: In vitro and in vivo studies on intestinal microflora." J Orthomol Med 5.155 (1990): 8. PDF Available Here
- http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/publish/news/newsroom/2361 — UC Davis study reporting GSE has the FDA’s GRAS certification
- https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.12.1.80 -- Fidel, Paul L., Jose A. Vazquez, and Jack D. Sobel. "Candida glabrata: review of epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical disease with comparison to C. albicans." Clinical Microbiology Reviews [12.1 (1999): 80-96].
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22041440/ -- Lin XL, Li Z, Zuo XL. "Study on the relationship between vaginal and intestinal candida in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis." Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Zhonghua fu chan ke za zhi). [2011 Jul;46(7):496].
