Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post. It's not even an endorsement for a particular brand. It is MY tried and true, love it to pieces, couldn't live without it, will-go-without-coffee-before-I-go-without-this remedy for feeling great all winter long! 🙂
Ahhh it is that time again… cooler weather, shorter days, football games… and the FLU.
This morning at church the lady who sat next to me must have sneezed 30 times, followed by a round of coughing each time. Then I came home and hopped on Facebook, where my newsfeed was inundated with people feeling “puny” from coast to coast. Even the Toddler started her day sneezing and “Mommy, I don't feel so good.” I gave my Angel my “miracle remedy” and she was bouncing out of the house in time for Sunday school!
What is this miracle cold and flu remedy? Grapefruit Seed Extract!
Grapefruit seed extract (GSE), also known as citrus seed extract, is a liquid derived from the seeds, pulp, and white membranes of grapefruit.
You can get Grapefruit Seed Extract in powder, capsule, or tincture form – ALL of them are fantastic. I have used all three, and prefer the tablets, but keep the tincture around for other uses around the house.
Grapefruit seed extract or GSE has many medicinal properties that have been proven very beneficial in fighting various infections, viruses, and harmful germs. GSE is useful not only to humans, but it also treats many pet diseases and infections. ~GrapefruitSeedExtract.org
I was told about GSE from an herbalist friend of mine who is very “anti immunizations,” and since I did not have any insurance at the time (and the flu shot was a small fortune back then), I chose to check it out. I started with the tincture form (which I warn you – tastes awful) but I was so amazed at how much better I began to feel almost immediately that I continued to choke it down 3 times a day in hot tea.
I discovered the tablet form and now take three tablets per day, the Tween takes two per day, and the Toddler one. Mike has also begun taking it and before long we may have the dogs on it too. I have also used the tincture as a face wash, anti-aging serum, and to sterilize my cutting board in the kitchen. I did say it does just about everything, right?
Grapefruit Seed Extract fights infection – making it possibly the purest antimicrobial in the World. Even when I put it in my tea, within moments it would begin to separate and “clean” the tea and sweetener out of the water. Pretty amazing sight. GSE is helpful in fighting off all infections, sinusitis, and even IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) as well as athlete's foot, jock itch, and other bacterial and fungal infections.
Grapefruit seed extract is specifically useful against Candida albicans, a fungus that is normally present on skin and mucous membranes, but becomes harmful when it multiplies excessively. This can happen because of several reasons: stress, unbalanced nutrition, damage of the intestinal flora or prolonged use of antibiotics. It is spread easily when the immune system is weak.
Candida can cause: contact dermatitis, colitis, flatulence, gastritis, allergies, headaches, depression, asthma, infections, and other disorders. It may even produce alcohol in the body, as a waste product of digestion.
There are up to 25 different types of Candida in the human body. The problems are caused by toxins released, about 100 types. Scientific tests carried out in USA, Austria and Mexico confirmed that the grapefruit seed extract is effective against Candida. ~Body-Detox-Info.com
I absolutely LOVE the stuff, and can honestly say I feel 100% when I take it! In fact, just a few weeks ago I ran out, and slept with the window open on a night it dipped into the low 60s here… I woke up feeling awful. Sore throat, stuffy head, sneezing like crazy… I was just SURE I was going to get sick. I drove directly to The Vitamin Shoppe and picked up three bottles of GSE tablets. I took a dose in the car with a large glass of water, and by that evening I was 100% again. I will NEVER run out of this stuff again.
You can get Grapefruit Seed Extract at most every herbal vitamin store or order online. **Consult with your doctor – especially if you are on medications for high blood pressure! Some medications can not be taken with GSE.
I highly recommend keeping Grapefruit Seed Extract in your home year-round. With so many amazing uses, it is really a “do it all” “miracle” remedy for just about everything! We ALL take it here at the Moscato Household! “Sick Days” for us now involve spas and movies… not lying in bed all day 🙂
Jenna @ For The Love of Baby! says
I would assume this is okay in pregnancy but I’ll have to ask and see about taking this. Honestly, I know naughty Mommy but, I don’t want to do my flu shot this year. The past two years, almost immediately after getting vaccinated, yeah….probably the worst sickness of my life. It.sucked.
Tamara says
Jenna, I took GSE when I was preggo last time. My midwife actually recommended it! I had GBS with my first pregnancy and really wanted to avoid having it with the second if I could because I hated that they had to hook me up to antibiotics as soon as my water broke. I wanted to be IV free the second time around. Anyway, yes, you can take it while preggo and it’s good for you. I had no clue about the tablet form though – the drops are SO sour, even mixed into a smoothie you can still taste it.
Lynsey, thanks for the reminder! We’ve all been sick here for almost a month now. I’m going to go see if I can find the GSE in tablet form and start us all on taking it!
Emily says
I’m glad you’ve found something that works for you! However, I would urge everyone to do research and remember that individuals who write blogs are not health professionals. I’ve been dealing with yeast while pregnant, and my doctor, who is a big proponent of natural alternatives first, has told me specifically DO NOT take GSE while pregnant. She’s read the research that you and I usually do not have such easy access to just by googling. Please be cautious!
monique says
Yep – one of my favorite remedies!
Kim @ What's That Smell? says
I am totally going to go get some of this and try it. I’ve had the feeling for weeks like I was going to get sick and it won’t go away. It’s driving me nuts. Maybe this is what I need!
Ivette Muller says
Hmm…I’ll have to try this and see if it’s works for my allergies. I’m DYING right now, and I am desperate for relief!
Henrietta says
I’ve been going back and forth about the flu shot every year since we’ve had children (we’ve never gotten them). I’m going to get some of this and add it to our daily vitamin d and vitamin c dose! Thank you so much for sharing!
april dabel says
ohhhh thanks for the tip. i love airborne and i’m always seeking something good to put into the medicine cabinet that works and is good!
Chris says
Thank you SO much for posting this! I’m DEFINITELY going to try it! We’re constantly getting colds and just feeling icky, plus I have IBS and skin issues, so maybe this will help them all! I’ll keep you posted on the results!
Amy Pakidis says
My mom used to have me use the spray version of this back in high school. But I had forgotten it. Thanks for reminding me because we’ve already had two rounds of colds in our house.
Amy Pakidis says
(It was nose spray. And oddly enough didn’t make me want to gag when it drained into my throat. It had a grape “flavor”)
Kim says
I am going to get some tomorrow!
My sinuses/allergies have been killing me even though it is winter. Thanks for the tip!
admin says
Yes the stuff is amazing! I truly do not go 24 hours without it – ESPECIALLY if we are going to have one of those 75* days followed by a 45* day LOL
David says
I have been using GSE for over 3 yrs. now and am very pleased with the results especially in urgent situations such as a toothache or a fever blister in which I have used in both cases to success, the GSE was also successful in controlling a fungi in a toe nail that even the foot Doctor had no success at.
I have also been told by my peers and have read that it works for purifying water and whiping out ear and yeast infections. It also has a long shelf life, I store mine in a kitchen cabinet at room temp.
Jamie Davis says
Candida can cause death of it overgrows in the throat. It’s not hard to get thrush either just the right set of circumstances and it’s right there.
Melissa says
Thanks Lynsey… I am going to check this out!
Natalie says
Wasn’t it like just 2 days ago I asked you about this miracle stuff? lol.
Thank you for sharing this great post again – PERFECT timing!
M says
How many drops would you give a toddler (2 years old)?
Thank you in advance
Moscato Mom says
I would ask your doctor before giving a little one of that size anything. Its a natural substance, but still I would ask. 🙂
AJ says
Hello! Did you end up giving it to your toddler? I’m trying to find a supplement for my six year old to help her stave off illness in kindergarten. It’s been a rough start with illness and it’s not even December yet;)
Moscato Mom says
Hey AJ! Yes, I did. I gave her one of the tablets of the shown GSE. I took 3, my teenager took 2, and my toddler took 1. However, you should always ask his or her pediatrician first 🙂