Citrus paradise
Botanical Nomenclature | Citrus paradise |
Common Name | Grapefruit |
Taxonomy- Family | Rutaceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Citrus paradise is a tropical tree growing up to 5m, with densely arranged, dark green, glossy leaves and large, white flowers with orange-like petals. The yellow fruits are larger than Oranges. The size and color (yellow, pink or red) of the fruits depend on species and growing conditions. Their peel is smooth and its flavor is intensely bitter. |
Region Found | Preveza, Arta |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Flower, fruit, bark |
Active Substances | Essential oil, which contains a-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, limonene, geraniol, linalool, citronellal, terpinen-4-ol, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, dihydro kaempferol glycoside, kaempferol glycoside, quaternary glycoside, apigenin and rutinoside. Vitamin A, B, C, E, minerals, metals, carotene, lycopene |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The whole plant has antiparasitic, antibiotic, antiseptic, astringent, antioxidant, antiscorbutic and diuretic properties. The seeds have antimicrobiotic (microbicidal) action, against strains of Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, E. Coli, Candide, Herpes, Influenza, various fungi and bacteria. They are 10-100 fold more effective decontaminants than chlorine and they are used in the decontamination of hospitals and clinics. The flowers are used against insomnia, as emollient and cardiotonic. The fruit's peel is used in the treatment of urinary tract disorders and for the weight loss. All these plant's actions combined with its antioxidant properties, make it's use ideal for the maintenance of human health. The essential oil is used as massage oil or in bath, for the relief of headaches, mental and muscle fatigue, depression and jet lag. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered in the form of herbal tea (10g of dried leaves and fruit's peel in 500mL of boiled water for 10min, 3 times a day) and infusion (a spoon of dried leaves and flowers in a cup of boiling water for 5min, three times a day). The essential oil is either applied externally to the skin (massage oil) or is used as oil-in baths. It is also used as a base in creams, lotions and ointments, against oily skin, acne and cellulite, as well as a preservative in food industry and cosmetics. Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | No side effects are reported. Although the plant interacts with a lot of drugs, as it causes irreversible inhibition of cytochrome P450 . This enzyme inhibition reduces the drugs' metabolism and increases their blood levels, thus leading potentially in serious side effects and toxicity. The drugs which mainly interact with grapefruit are: amiodarone, astemizole (Hismanal), atorvastatin (Lipitor), budesonide (Entocort), buspirone (BuSpar), cisapride (Propulsid), lovastatin (Mevacor), mifepristone (Mifeprex), sildenafil (Viagra), simvastatin (Zocor) and terfenadine (Seldane) |
References | 1) http://herbalisten.blogspot.gr/2013/01/grapefruit-citrus-paradisi.html 2) http://www.drugs.com/npc/grapefruit.html 3) http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/grapefruit.html 4) http://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/grapefruit-oil.aspx 5)http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/grapefruit.htm#Precautions |