Grapeseed oil is not one of the more popular oils to use in the kitchen. It isn’t as healthy to eat as some of the other oils available. But does this mean it doesn’t have any benefits? Of course not! This oil is actually quite good for your hair and Skin when applied topically. It also has some great benefits for your insides when taken internally. Keep on reading for all the benefits of Grapeseed Oil and how to use it.

What is Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil actually started off as a by-product of winemaking. In the past, the seeds were discarded. But then it was discovered that the seeds contained numerous healthy properties. The seeds were then pressed to release the oil, which began its use in cooking and medical treatments.

Grapeseed Oil History

Grapevines were originally found in the Mediterranean areas as well as in Asia. The Greeks are believed to be the first to consume them. This was because they were the first to discover the benefits of this fruit. Their philosophers even recorded the health benefits in their medical writings. For over 6000 years, grapes have been eaten and drank, even before the time of the Bible. In fact, there are references in this Holy book of the oil used in cooking. It is said that the Prophet Daniel had eaten a dish called Pulse, which contained grapeseed oil.

In ancient Europe, grapes began their use in medical treatments. Even the extracts had a use, including the vines and seeds. Ointments for the eyes and skin were created. They made bandages from the leaves to slow bleeding in wounds. The leaves also soothed inflammation from hemorrhoids. To help relieve constipation or bloating from over-eating, people would consume unripe grapes. For nausea and skin conditions or diseases, they ate overripe grapes. Raisins are made from drying grapes. They were a common treatment for constipation and liver problems.

Grapes were also used in Ayurvedic medicine. They referred to them as “Drakshaa Phalottamaa.” This meant that these practitioners felt the grape was the most superior of all the fruits. Grapes were used in a variety of ways to deal with numerous health issues. These include fatigue, memory loss, depression, indigestion, bloating, and many others.

Grapes and their extracts have also been used to treat sore throats and strengthen the voice. Skin problems, nausea, and even an increased libido were all treated using grapes. Eventually, grapevines were brought to North America. These plants are now cultivated internationally for wines, juices, fruit. And of course, Grapeseed oil is now extensively produced.

Health Benefits of Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil contains a variety of healthy properties. These seeds are rich in flavonoids like oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes, or OPC’s. OPC’s contain powerful antioxidants as well as healthy natural plant compounds. These also contain antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.  Grapeseed oil also contains a variety of other chemical constituents. Linoleic acids, or Omega-6 fatty acids, are emulsifiers and anti-inflammatories. They also help retain moisture. Oleic acids, or Omega-9 fatty acids, boost your immune system. They also contain antioxidants and reduce inflammation.

Palmitic acid is an emollient. Stearic acid is a cleanser. Palmitoleic acid has an abundance of anti-aging properties. Vitamin E is another antioxidant, plus it boosts circulation and balances oil production. And Beta-Carotene soothes and tightens skin. It also slows aging and contains some antioxidants of its own. Together, all of these nutrients and vitamins help maintain your skin and hair. Plus, they have a few health benefits for your body.

Uses for Grapeseed Oil

#1 – Hair Loss: 

Grapeseed oil contains a few properties that may help reduce hair loss. They may also help regrow hair, keeping it healthy and strong to keep it where it belongs. The first one is Linolenic acid, which is believed to actually stimulate hair growth. The proanthocyanidin oligomers may also help in this process. There was a recent study that showed the OPC’s induced hair growth in mice both in vitro and in vivo. Of course, these results haven’t been proven in humans yet. But the effects are still worth noting for those who prefer natural remedies.

Grapeseed oil is high in antioxidants, which could help block DHT production. DHT is a hormone that leads to hair loss. You can try to use grapeseed oil on its own. Just massage a few teaspoons of it into your scalp and let it soak in. You can also use it as a carrier oil for other essential oils that can induce relaxation. This could help lower the cortisol in your body. Cortisol is released when you’re stressed, which can also contribute to hair loss. If you and your hair follicles are relaxed, it might help the grapeseed oil work better.

#2 – Dandruff:

Emollients have the power to soften and smooth the skin. For those suffering from dandruff, flaking, and dryness, this can be a huge benefit. This is because dryness can lead to irritation, which leads to scratching. This can then cause more irritation and discomfort. There is also the issue of dry skin flaking off your scalp, leaving white specks on your hair and clothing. It can be an embarrassing thing to suffer with.

Since grapeseed oil is an emollient, it can help reduce all of these issues. First, it can loosen up the dead skin, allowing you to wash it away more easily. But this oil goes a bit further, adding moisture to the scalp to reduce any flaking in the future. Regular use can even help retain the moisture, so you won’t have to constantly be checking for flakes. The best part is that grapeseed oil is lightweight. This means it won’t leave your scalp and hair greasy and heavy. This is an issue that comes with olive oil or coconut oil, so replace them with grapeseed oil. To use it, massage a couple of tablespoons into your scalp and hair. Let it soak in, then shampoo it out.

#3 – Brittle Hair:

Brittle hair can be hard to deal with. It is very dry, for starters. But it is also prone to split ends and breakage. This unhealthy hair even looks terrible, lacking in smoothness and shine. It is also almost impossible to style without the use of heat stylers and hair care products. Then your issues will become even worse since your hair has no time to heal.

Grapeseed oil can help repair these issues. It contains Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that stimulates cell regeneration. Lineolic acid is a fatty acid that promotes skin and hair growth. Plus, grapeseed oil is an emollient which moisturizes your hair. It also won’t leave behind any greasy residue to weigh down those delicate strands.

There are a couple methods you can do for your hair, depending on your needs. If it is dry, but not too brittle yet, use the oil as a deep conditioning treatment. Coat the strands completely and let it soak in for ten minutes. Then rinse with cold water. If you need the extra strengthening, coat your hair and scalp with warm grapeseed oil. Wrap your head in a towel, leave it overnight, and wash it out in the morning.

#4 – Oily Skin:

Oily skin can have a lot of different causes. These include genetics, stress, hormonal changes, and even changes in the weather. But the real reason you may have oily skin is that your skin thinks it is drier than it actually is. This causes your sebaceous glands to kick on, creating sebum when you don’t actually need it. There are countless treatments available to help reduce oil on your face. These range from blotting papers to harsh cleansers. The downside of these products is that they don’t actually solve the problem. They just remove the oil temporarily.

Grapeseed oil is a helpful solution for oily skin. First of all, it moisturizes, keeping your skin soft and supple. This tricks your skin into thinking it has produced enough oil, halting production. With regular use, this will even balance out your oil production permanently. Another benefit of this oil is that it is non-comedogenic. Since oily skin usually has larger pores, they are more prone to acne. Grapeseed oil won’t clog those pores, so those blemishes won’t show up just from using it. A light application every night or two before bed should be more than enough.

#5 – Acne:

Oily skin may be prone to acne, but this doesn’t mean it is the only skin type to suffer from this issue. Everyone has acne from time to time. Sometimes it is only a few pimples, while others are a rash of them across your face. Harsh cleansers can dry out your skin, causing irritation. That’s why having a natural solution to acne is always a better choice.

Grapeseed oil has a few characteristics that make it a great substitute. This oil contains polyphenols, which have anti-inflammatory properties. This helps heal the blemishes and reduce the painful swelling that comes along with them. Grapeseed oil is also an astringent. This helps cleanse your skin of bacteria that gets into your pores and causes the acne in the first place. Astringents also help tone your skin for a healthy, even glow. Your skin will look fresh and clean after every use. You only need to use a small amount as well, either on its own or with other healthy essential oils. Massage it into clean skin every night, focusing on the blemishes first. You can also repeat this process in the morning if necessary to clear up the acne even faster.

#6 – Skin Imperfections:

There are many different types of skin imperfections grapeseed oil can help with. It contains Vitamin D as well as antioxidants. Both of these can help slow the signs of aging. For those who already have fine lines and wrinkles, this oil can reduce their appearance. Scars can be a source of embarrassment, especially acne scars on your face. Grapeseed oil has healing benefits to heal up both old and new scars for smooth, perfect skin. This can be a slow fading process but eventually, you’ll see no sign of those blemishes.

Stretch marks can show up at numerous points in your life. If you’ve been pregnant, or gained and then lost a lot of weight, you may have a few to hide. Teenagers who grow too quickly can also find a few stretch marks on their bodies. These may never go away on their own, so you can use grapeseed oil to help get rid of them. It is quite easy to use this oil for these issues. Just spread it over the imperfection, massaging it into your skin. With daily use, these marks will fade over time, leaving no sign that they were ever there.

#7 – Blood Pressure: 

There are a few components in grapeseed oil that can help improve blood pressure. These include the flavonoids, phenolic procyanidins, and linoleic acid. The first two are rich in antioxidants, while the second is an anti-inflammatory. Together, these can help keep the blood vessels from being damaged. This could potentially help to reduce blood pressure.

In fact, there is a study from January of 2015 that shows improvement with the use of grapeseed extract. In this study, 18 participants were given a juice that contained this healthy extract. The other 18 drank juice with a placebo instead. Those with the GSE saw significant improvement in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The higher the blood pressure they had when they began, the more improvement was seen.

Those with fasting insulin and insulin sensitivity also saw improvement in these areas. This shows that grapeseed extract is a safe alternative for pre-hypertension. It also proves those who want to control their blood pressure can do so with this product. Of course, before starting on this or any treatment, be sure to discuss it with your doctor to be sure it is safe for you.

#8 – Cholesterol: 

Hypercholesterolemia, or high cholesterol, is a huge cardiovascular risk factor. This is because cholesterol is a lipid, which is a type of fat. Though normally essential for a healthy body, too much of it can hurt you. High cholesterol can form fatty deposits, or plaques, to form within your arteries. This narrows the artery, restricting normal blood flow. If the blood to your brain is cut off, the result is a stroke. If the surface of these plaques burst, this could cause a blood clot that can lead to a heart attack.

Grapeseed oil contains those helpful proanthocyanidins, which can help lower your cholesterol levels. One study concluded that grapeseed extract on its own was able to reduce cholesterol. It also reduced the amount of low-density lipoprotein or LDL. Those taking grapeseed extract also lowered their autoantibodies by 50%. This increase was even more significant when compared to the other groups. The grapeseed extract did even better when it was combined with niacin-bound chromium. This is a healthy alternative to lowering cholesterol and improving your overall health. But again, be sure to speak with your doctor before beginning such treatments.

#9 – Immune System: 

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, which gives it the ability to affect the immune system in many ways. Those with a deficiency in this vitamin are prone to a variety of infectious diseases. But if your body has the right amount to keep your immune system running properly, you’ll see a host of benefits.

It affects aging, slowing the cell deterioration. Vitamin E also boosts circulation, which helps with regeneration. It stimulates the production of B-cells, which produce bacteria-fighting antibodies. Vitamin E also increases production of the cells that destroy cancer cells. It helps your skin and hair retain its moisture. This vitamin is also great for cleansing and repairing scarred and blemished skin. Using vitamin E can even help balance out your oil production.

Since grapeseed oil is high in Vitamin E, this makes it great for use internally and topically. In fact, one tablespoon of this oil contains 3.9 milligrams of the vitamin. This is equal to a third of your daily requirement. It is also twice the amount you would find in olive oil. It even has a high smoke point, so you can use it to cook almost anything for the immune benefits.

#10 – Alzheimer’s Disease: 

Alzheimer’s disease can be hard for those who are suffering from it, as well as for their families. It affects a person’s memories and their cognitive abilities. The people with this disease may not even be able to recognize those closest to them before long. Recently, an Australian study has shown that grapeseed oil may be able to reduce the symptoms. This is because of the polyphenols extracted from the grape seeds. The most important function of this is as an anti-inflammatory. Since inflammation is such a huge part of this disease, this is very important.

This extract was able to reduce the amyloid-beta, or Abeta, production. The Abeta form the plaques that clump together, blocking the signals of the brain. With less of these to deal with, the brain can function normally, slowing the signs of Alzheimer’s. The study concluded that grapeseed extract could help delay the development of Alzheimer’s. Of course, this study was completed on mice who suffered from this disease. There is further research necessary for the proper use on humans. But the results are still promising, with safe and effective results.

Benefits of Grapeseed Oil Final Thoughts

The benefits of grapeseed oil can help you look great on the outside and feel great on the inside. It can be used as an alternative oil for cooking as well as a beauty product to keep your hair strong and your skin clear. If you are looking for more hair care articles check out our hair care buyer’s guides.

Footnotes:

• Natural Living Ideas: 9 Impressive Benefits Of Grapeseed Oil For Skin, Hair & Health
• Medical News Today: The health and beauty benefits of grapeseed oil
• Livestrong: Are There Benefits of Carrot Oil for the Hair?
• Good Health Academy: How to Use Grapeseed Oil for Skin – Ingredients and Method

The post Natural Health…10 Benefits of Grapeseed Oil {DIY Beauty} appeared first on Bloom Gorgeous.