Grapefruit Materia Medica

The grapefruit is both an important food and natural medicine. Nutritionally, it is a good source of vitamin C and also contains significant amounts of bioflavonoids, vitamin A, inositol (a B-vitamin), calcium, phosphorus, potassium, tryptophan (both inositol and tryptophan are used to treat nervousness and insomnia) and lysine (used to treat herpes infection).

Medicinally, it is considered to be: antibiotic, stomachic, laxative, cardiotonic, diuretic and sedative. It may prove useful in the treatment of disorders of the liver and gall bladder, gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract. Grapefruit is a first-rate liver cleanser and is of potential value as part of a protocol designed to “flush” the biliary system. Inositol promotes the body’s production of lecithin, which is required for the transport of fats out of the liver, and therefore aids in the metabolism of fats, reduction of cholesterol levels and hardening of the arteries.

Download this chapter to learn more about GRAPEFRUIT—Citrus paradisi.