Grapefruit Seed Extract or GSE is a synthetic combination of grapefruit pulp and chemicals. Yes, you read that correctly...chemicals. It is not all natural, much to my dismay.
How is it made?
GSE is made by taking the pulp, not necessarily seeds, from grapefruit juice production and in a multi step industrial chemical process change the natural phenolic compounds into synthetic quaternary ammonium compounds. Added chemicals and heat are used in this process, chemicals you would never knowingly sign up to put into your body, especially if you are of the type to be searching out a natural, alternative remedy.
Some of the chemicals used in this process are:
- ammonium chloride (Material Safety Data Sheet here)
- benzethonium chloride (Material Safety Data Sheet here)
- triclosan (Material Safety Data Sheet here)
- methyl paraben (Environmental Working Group's information here)
Comment: For more information about The Dangers of Triclosan: A Common Anti-Bacterial Ingredient read the following articles:
Triclosan May Be Harmful to Health, Says FDA
Two Dangerous Ingredients in Everyday Products That Are Threatening Our Health
From the article:
So what are the effects of these chemicals we are putting into our environment and even into our own bodies? Setting aside the dioxins - a class of chemicals that are well-documented carcinogens - both triclosan and triclocarban appear to be endocrine disruptors. Scientists say that triclocarban appears unique in that it doesn't show endocrine activity by itself and instead enhances the expression of other hormones, such as androgens (male hormones like testosterone), estrogens and cortisol. In animal studies, triclosan also affects male and female sex hormones. Additionally, it interferes with thyroid hormone.
According to a report from the Institute of Pharmacy, Ernst Moritz Arndt University, Greifswald, Germany:
"The antimicrobial efficacy as well as the content of preservative agents of six commercial grapefruit seed extracts were examined. Five of the six extracts showed a high growth-inhibiting activity against the test germs. In all of the antimicrobial active grapefruit seed extracts, the preservative benzethonium chloride was detected by thin layer chromatography. Additionally, three extracts contained the preserving substances triclosan and methyl paraben. In only one of the grapefruit seed extracts tested no preservative agent was found. However, with this extract as well as with several self-made extracts from seed and juiceless pulp of grapefruits (Citrus paradisi), no antimicrobial activity could be detected. Thus, it is concluded that the potent as well as nearly universal antimicrobial activity being attributed to grapefruit seed extract is merely due to the synthetic preservative agents contained within. Natural products with antimicrobial activity do not appear to be present."The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) did a study following up that of the one mentioned above out of Germany and found:
"Confirming an earlier study by researchers in Germany we found that some commercial grapefruit seed extracts contain benzethonium chloride, a synthetic antimicrobial agent commonly used in cosmetics and only approved for topical use, at relatively high levels of 8%."Many of you may have expected a post about how wonderful GSE is, and the myriad of ailments it has been known to treat. Knowing what I do now, after researching, I cannot in good conscience recommend anyone use GSE. Unfortunately the word "natural" is not regulated by any agency, and thus can be used on any product. Lead is all natural, so is tar, but you wouldn't spray them in your mouth to treat a sore throat. It's unfortunate in many ways that what we as consumers are led to believe is truly a natural product is made by synthetic means, in a laboratory, using synthetic harmful chemicals, and this process is not being regulated. I do not personally hope for regulation, I hope for education. The FDA will not ever have my stamp of approval nor my trust. Only me.
The patent for making Grapefruit Seed Extract clearly states that Triclosan is added.
All-Purpose Cleaning.
Hospitals, Schools, Day-Care Centers, Nursing Homes, Residential and Commercial sites. Citricidal® has the potency of some commonly used industrial disinfectants like benzelthonium chloride, without the toxic side-effects. Use Citricidal in bathrooms, on counters, food-prep areas, garbage containers, and all other susceptible areas. Apply to all common-use surfaces, such as telephone hand-set, computer touch-screen, door knobs, and more. Citricidal can be used alone or in combination with virtually any cleaning agent. Always use Citricidal in the rinse water after any cleaning job to leave a protective residue on tile and tile grout, linoleum, vinyl tile and sheet flooring, painted surfaces, etc. This will also keep sponges, string mops, and all other cleaning tools sweet and clean smelling.
Carpet and Rug Cleaning and Shampoo.
Whether cleaning by hand or with a steam/extractor(like Rug Doctor or truck-mounted systems), use Citricidal to clean and freshen. Just a few drops per gallon of hot water will provide better cleaning, and leave a small amount of residual protection on the yarn surface and in the backing(where applicable). Citricidal can be used alone in hot water, or with any selected cleaning agent. Citricidal removes the source of odors, so no smelly perfumes are needed. (On hand-made rugs particularly, always test an inconspicuous area for reaction to dyestuffs.)
Laundry.
Even hot water and detergent are not enough to treat all conditions that can be found in the laundry. Add Citricidal to wash water and/or rinse water to protect your family and friends(hotel guests, employees, visitors, etc.). For normal loads, just a few drops of Citricidal will suffice. In cases of known or suspected issues of bed-linens or clothing, add more(up to 30-60 drops per load).
Citricidal® sounds like the kind of "health aid" one should wash down with a nice cool glass of swimming pool water.