grapefruit seed extract... (infections, allergies, doctor, stomach)

[Chromekitty]

Anyone here use this regularly? I have been reading about this and it seems to have many benefits. I read where you could add 8-12 drops to juice or water daily, does anyone do this?


TIA

[harry chickpea]

Using it constantly isn't considered a good idea because it can affect energy. Using it periodically does seem to be effective in speeding the clearing of minor infections.

[Chromekitty]

when you say periodically how often do you mean? I have read that is a good preventative. If that is the case, you would need to take it pretty often, I would think?

[ocpaul20]

It is very bitter I believe - at least the stuff I tried was. And it was expensive too. I wonder if it works by getting your digestion to function better. If so, then maybe other bitters might work just as well. I dont think you are meant to take this kind of thing every day, are you?

[harry chickpea]

Yes, it is bitter. Trying to describe some of the Chinese herbal medicine issues involved is beyond any easy forum response. Briefly, excesses of hot, cold, bitter, etc. are not recommended. In certain conditions, a temporary excess to balance or correct an underlying condition is appropriate.

An analogy could be made to antibiotics. Prophylactic antibiotic regimens used to be somewhat common, until doctors started realizing the side effects of increased antibiotic resistance, stomach and digestion issues, etc.. GSE has somewhat parallel issues.

The immune system NEEDS regular challenges. At best those challenges shouldn't be so strong that the system can't overcome them on its own, and they shouldn't be so weak or inconsistent that the system starts mis-firing and attacking normal body processes and organisms. We've become so indoctrinated with the ideas of preventing everything and avoiding illness and germs at all cost that we've put ourselves in more vulnerable positions.

An extreme use of GSE would be 15 drops for 15 days. Commonly, a divided dose totaling about 10 drops over three days will do whatever is needed (if anything). One of the best ways to take it is with grapefruit juice and a touch of salt to mask some of the bitterness.

How is it used? Here is an example: Prior to using minimal steroids to control an ongoing cough from allergies, the only thing that would stop my wife's cough was a mixture I made of 5 drops of GSE, 10 drops of hot sauce, 4 oz of grapefruit juice, and a dash of salt, to be slowly sipped over at least 1/2 hour (NOT chugged). Bitter and heat, and the effects on the body stopped the spasming.

In most cases, in both traditional Western and Chinese medicine, use of medications is temporary and with caution. There are relatively few ongoing medications that a person in reasonable health should consider.

[mia_magination]

I use GSE for my severe allergy issues. We found it in a nasal spray which is harsh because it is like snorting a grapefruit...but it works very well. Also comes in a capsule form for longer lasting relief, however as previous response, you don't want to take this indefinately. Use as you would antibiotic, a course of say 7 - 10 days while symptoms persist. Best of luck to you