Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed Oil (Grape Oil or Grape Seed Oil) is the byproduct of winemaking and is obtained from real grape seeds by pressing. The grapes, especially the Vinifera group variety, are widely used for wine making. Their oil is extensively used for medical purposes. In several hair and skin care products, Grapeseed Oil is an important ingredient. It is extracted from tiny grape seeds. You can use this oil to give you healthy benefits for the skin and hair. 

As a by-product of winemaking, Grapeseed Oil is produced by pressing the grapes and seeds that are left behind. The oil is extracted and is used as an organic beauty product. It is also being marketed as a healthy option for vegetable oil. Grapeseed Oil has numerous essential health benefits. It is a rich source of essential Vitamin E and fatty acids. The oil contains polyphenols and flavonoids that contain strong antioxidant compounds. A lot of the health benefits from Grapeseed Oil are attributed to these nutrients.

Grapeseed Oil Benefits

Grapeseed Oil benefits include:

  • It is a strong antioxidant
  • Boosts heart health and cardiovascular systems by lowering HDL cholesterol
  • Contains linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid beneficial for diabetics
  • Strengthens and repairs broken or damaged capillaries and blood vessels. It helps improve blood circulation and relieves varicose veins, including hemorrhoids and spider veins.
  • Has anti-inflammatory properties
  • Prevents colon, stomach, prostate, lung and breast cancer cells
  • Relieves asthma, acne, allergies and dermatitis
  • Keeps the arteries clear by reducing bad cholesterol (LDL) and increasing good cholesterol (HDL)
  • Rich in Omerga-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9
  • Contains high levels of vitamin E and prevents cell membrane related injuries
  • As a mild astringent, it helps tighten and tone the skin
  • Helps in healing wounds because of its high linoleic acid levels
  • Has great moisturizing properties

Grapeseed Oil Uses

  1. Grapeseed Oil as Acne and Dermatitis Treatment. The oil has anti-inflammatory, acne reductive, anti-allergen and moisture retentive properties. It has 73% linoleic acids that are beneficial for treating acne as well as allergic reactions. It is also effective on dermatitis, and atopic eczema. Patients also say it works beautifully on dry, itchy skin. Apply the oil on the affected skin 2 to 3 times every day. You can also take grapeseed in oil form as a supplement.
  2. Grapeseed Oil for Age Spots and Sunburn. Rich in nutrients, the oil is found as an effective protection from UV rays and lightens the appearance of pigments and age spots caused by UV rays. Take Grapeseed supplements daily so you heal quickly and it reduces the possibility of sunburn and age spots. Apply a small amount of oil on the affected areas
  3. Grapeseed Oil for Cancer Prevention. Regular intake of pure Grapeseed Oil suppresses the development of various types of cancers and induces apoptosis – a process that triggers the elimination and self-destruction of superfluous and damaged cells in cellular systems. Take 2 or 3 grapeseed capsules daily to help prevent incidences of cancer. It also helps treat liver problems and damage. It can likewise counteract the side effects of chemotherapy.
  4. Grapeseed Oil for Diabetes. Studies show that oral intake of the linoleic acid reduces diabetic complications. Regular consumption helps with diabetes and visual impairment brought on by the disease. The recommended dose is one capsule twice a day.
  5. Grapeseed Oil for Hemorrhoids. Damaged blood vessels cause varicose veins, hemorrhoids and even spider veins to appear. The oil contains oligomeric proanthocyanidin and flavonoids, which help in capillary integrity. Take one capsule twice a day and it will benefit damaged vessels, improper blood circulation and impaired capillary valves that cause varicose veins and hemorrhoids.  

Grapeseed Oil Side Effects

There are no side effects as long as the oil is used only in appropriate doses and in a short time. It is recommended by health professionals to use the oil not longer than 12 weeks to lower the possibility of developing side effects.

Mild side effects include elevated blood pressure, headache, dizziness, indigestion and nausea. The scalp will appear unusually flaky or dry and itchy. If side effects persist or become severe, contact the doctor immediately.

People who are allergic to grapes must not use the oil as well as those taking anticoagulant medications and drugs to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. The supplement may enhance the effects of blood thinners like warfarin. Using Grapeseed Oil together with blood thinners may increase risks or bleeding complications.

How to Use Grapeseed Oil

  1. In cooking. Grapeseed Oil has a moderate high smoke point. It has a clean, light taste and high content of polyunsaturated fat, which is a great ingredient to use in mayonnaise and salad dressings. It is also used as a base for oil infusions of rosemary, garlic or other herbs and spices. It is commonly used in pancakes, baked goods and waffles. It is sprayed on raisins to preserve their flavor.
  2. For skin health. The oil is rich in Vitamins C, D and E. This carrier oil contains palmitic acid, linoleic acid and beta-carotene. It is beneficial for skin types that are sensitive, mature and oily due to its contents of vitamins and fatty acids. The oil is non-comedogenic, and is easily absorbed by the skin without oily residues. Its natural antioxidant and astringent properties help in preventing free radicals and improve skin elasticity.
  3. In research. Though grape seeds contain polyphenols like proanthocyanidins, the oil itself contains negligible amounts of the compounds. These oil components are being studied for any potential human health applications. As of 2016, there is inadequate clinical research suggesting any effect in lowering risk of disease.

How to Make Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed Oil is made from real grapes and its seeds and skin. To make this oil you will need to follow the cold press method. This means that you must cook the seeds and skins in a low temperature. You then use a press to extract the juice from the cooked ingredients. The oil is then allowed to separate from the juice over time.

Grapeseed Oil Recipe

Here’s how to make your own Grapeseed Oil

  1. Gather a basket of grapes. Remove the skin and seeds of the grapes first when you are making your grape juice or other grape product. If you are doing this manually, use a strainer.
  2. Wash the filtered grape extracts very well.
  3. Put aside the grape skin and seeds extract to dry for around 24 hours.
  4. At a very low temperature you can cook the seeds. Use the cold pressing extraction process using minimal heat to extract the oil out of the seeds. It is not an important step to heat seeds but it’s a method that is used to extract more oil from the grape seeds when the folks manually cold pressed the grapes at home.
  5. Heat the seeds slowly to quicken the drying process.
  6. Remove the extra juices and oil from the grape skins and seeds by adding the grape extract to the cold press. Press until the oil is extracted from the solids. Put aside and the oil will separate from the extracts in time.
  7. Skim the extra oil from the solids.
  8. Preserve the pressed oil in bottles for culinary and therapeutic use.
  9. Separate the grape seeds from its skin solids remaining.
  10. Dry the separated extracts to ready them for grinding.
  11. Grind both dried skins and seeds separately in a grinding machine until they become a fine powder. Combine the powdered seed extract with the powdered skin extract if you prefer.
  12. Fill separate empty gelatin capsules with the powdered mixture.
  13. Preserve the capsules in a container and store in a cool place away from sunlight. Store the powder in bottles that are airtight if you don’t have gel capsules.

Where to Buy Grapeseed Oil

You can purchase the extract from most drug stores and herbal food stores. In Amazon, it is in the form of capsules, powder and tablets. When buying the oil, search for cold-pressed organic oil to contain most of the natural beneficial ingredients compared to chemically pressed oils. This oil is also used in a lot of skin care products, so you may also be able to find a supplier sells this in bulk at Alibaba and Iherb.cn

More Information on Grapeseed Oil

  • Grapeseed Oil contains high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids.
  • The oil could be mixed in your beauty regimen for the hair and skin.
  • Use expeller- or cold-pressed oil in the kitchen.