Health Benefits of Grape Seed Oil For Hair Growth, Skin, And Heart

The first vine was grown, apparently, no less than 10,000 years ago, and since the mists of prehistory, people have turned growing of grapes and manufacture of wine into an art form.

The therapeutic virtues of grapes are known and used for thousands of years.

Until recently, it was thought that in this area there cannot be any novelties; this, until the attention of researchers, has shifted to what was thrown from the grapes: their seeds.

First, they caused a small revolution in the food industry, which generated a real “career” in the medical field.

Responsible for all the changes was the oil extracted from these pits, as they have exceptional therapeutic properties.

Anti-aging champion

Although vine is cultivated for thousands of years, the extraction of oil from seeds is recent, due to technical difficulties of obtaining the oil. Initially, it was manufactured only in France and Italy and it was used strictly in the food industry.

Then, it was used in cosmetics due to its quality to be easily absorbed by the skin, which softens and stretches. Only later the grapeseed oil was targeted by the pharmaceutical industry.

The grape seed oil contains large amounts of vitamin E and vitamin F, and some minerals like zinc, copper, and selenium, but, above all, it contains so-called procyanidins (abbreviated OPC), which is an anti-aging agent 50 times stronger than vitamin E and 20 times stronger than vitamin C.

It also contains substances that help maintain healthy blood vessels and a healthy heart, it catalyzes the action of vitamins in the body and helps prevent allergic reactions.

In other words, a new natural drug was recently born. Furthermore, here are some indications on how to use grapeseed oil properly and efficiently.

Clarifications

When talking about therapeutic effects, we always refer to cold-pressed oil.

The refined grapeseed oil is obtained at high temperatures, and due to this process, all active substances in terms of treatment are virtually destroyed, thus not recommended for healing. Nowadays, the cold-pressed grape seed oil is sold in supermarkets, in the import oils aisle.

This oil is administered primarily through diet, as an excellent addition to salads, sauces and in various dishes that involve cooking without fire. It is necessary to avoid frying or boiling the oil, because above 50 degrees Celsius the therapeutic properties are diminished.

The daily dose of oil is 25-45 grams, 2-4 tablespoons per day, eaten as such or as an ingredient in different food recipes.

Externally, the oil is used in skin massage, because it nourishes the skin, preventing dryness and helping maintain its youth and natural elasticity.

Grapeseed oil in children’s diet

Vegetable oils can be included in a diversified diet of babies from the age of 6-7 months, starting with an amount of 2-3 grams per 100 grams of soup.

We can gradually increase the amount of oil used, making sure that the oil is well tolerated by children. Please consult your pediatrician, both in terms of when the oil should be introduced in their diet and the type of oil recommended.

How to Choose Grapeseed Oil

To ensure good health, it is recommended that you get a bio or virgin vegetable oils because they maintain all nutritional qualities and it certifies that the oil has not undergone a chemical refining process. Only “bio” oils, obtained from untreated plants, can avoid chemical refining process, receiving the name of “virgin oil”.

Furthermore, there are no chemicals or solvents during the manufacture of cold-pressed oil, making the oil a natural remedy that does not harm in any way the body and has an impressive list of benefits.

Grapeseed oil is obtained by cold pressing the pits after grapes have been used in various processes of winemaking. It is slightly transparent, with a greenish-yellow color, without any distinctive odor.

Instead, its taste is sweet and pleasant, which recommends it for seasoning salads or in combination with olive oil.

Treatment of Diseases

Vascular Disease

Daily use of this oil in salads is sufficient to avoid vascular diseases, such as arteriosclerosis, vascular fragility or arthritis.

This is because grape seed oil contains substances (so-called unsaturated fats) that help keep the youth and elasticity of vascular walls and other substances that prevent degenerative processes of blood vessels.

Heart Disease

It is recommended a daily use of two tablespoons of oil for those who have had or have a diet consisting of meat or meat products, mainly fried, or other “bad fats”, such as margarine and refined oils.

This oil prevents cardiac ischemia and circulatory disorders, such as high or oscillating blood pressure.

Sexual Potency

For men, this oil increases potency significantly and is essential in prolonging intercourse and preventing impotence and prostatitis.

Benign Tumor

Recent studies show that various substances contained in the grapeseed oil prevent the development of benign tumor formations, such as ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, adenomas, and breast fibroadenoma.

Women with such predispositions are advised to do 4-6 treatments per year, which consist of using 20-30 grams of oil daily, for 28 consecutive days.

Various Infections

The active substances of this oil act as an immunostimulant in several ways: they catalyze the action of vitamin C in the body, stimulate the production of immunocompetent cells and activate existing ones.

Especially in the cold season, when the body’s natural defense system is weakened, it is recommended to use grapeseed oil, at least 30 grams daily.

Alzheimer

In areas where people already use this oil for several decades in their diets (France and Italy), there are fewer cases of cardiovascular diseases and much better functioning of the nervous system.

It appears that antioxidant substances in grape seeds are very effective in stopping degenerative processes that affect the brain of elderly people.

Studies regarding the isolation of active substances that can prevent this terrible disease are underway, but until then, one thing is certain: grape seed oil is one of the best antidotes against Alzheimer’s disease.

For Smokers

Resveratrol contained by the cold-pressed oil has the ability to protect epithelial lung cells against oxidative stress caused by harmful substances in tobacco smoke.

People who smoke can prevent some respiratory diseases caused by this habit by protecting the lungs from toxic damage.

Dermatological Problems

This oil is recommended both for internal use and for massaging the skin. Rich in vitamin E, it is an elixir for maintaining youthful skin, but also for the prevention of dermatological problems (keratoses, psoriasis, depigmentation, etc.).

Massaging the skin with grape seed oil after showering prevents dry skin and keeps a shiny and soft skin, delaying its aging process.

One of the many advantages is that it is rapidly absorbed into the skin, moisturizing it perfectly, without leaving the skin greasy.

It has astringent properties that help unclog and shrink pores and treat acne. In this regard, linoleic acid and vitamin E are extremely important, as linoleic acid (omega 6) is a strong anti-inflammatory substance, which speeds up the healing process of scars caused by acne and vitamin E improves skin quality, destroying free radicals that cause acne.

Dry and sensitive to cold skin – Ten minutes after bathing, it is recommended to massage the entire body, especially the limbs with grape seed oil. The treatment lasts six weeks, especially during the cold season.

Prematurely aged skin – Grape seed oil quickly penetrates the skin, without leaving it greasy, and protects it from both sun and windburn.

Dry skin – once every three days, massage the cheeks, cheekbones, forehead, and neck with grape seed oil. It protects the skin, maintaining hydration and preventing wrinkles.

Cholesterol

In 1993, during the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology, there was a presentation of a study conducted on 56 patients, men, and women, who had high levels of cholesterol.

By consuming 43 grams of grapeseed oil daily, they have reduced by 15.6% blood cholesterol levels in just 3 weeks.

Nowadays, this oil is considered the best medicine for lowering and maintaining normal cholesterol levels.

Varicose veins and hemorrhoids

Daily use of this oil prevents abnormal venous dilations and, moreover, can shrink varicose veins. Added in salads, 3-4 tablespoons per day, it is a long-term treatment (minimum one year).

It is recommended to treat leg swelling and the feeling of heaviness in the legs.

Arteriosclerosis

Provides the artery walls exceptional protection against cholesterol buildup. It was successfully used in obliterating arthritis, in which case its administration has slightly improved blood flow and, in time, it has reduced specific cramps (especially nocturnal ones).

In order to obtain these effects, long treatments (at least 1 year) are necessary, with daily use of at least 20 grams.

Capillary fragility and vascular fragility, in general

Substances from grape seeds have a strong antioxidant effect, providing protection for blood vessel walls’ cells against free radicals. It also maintains and restores the elasticity of blood vessels.

Daily use for six months (3-4 tablespoons of grapeseed oil per day) can considerably reduce ecchymosis caused by capillary fragility and prevents strokes or their relapse.

Hair Treatment

It can be used as scalp normalizing hair treatment and also to hydrate dry hair. The treatment includes a combination of four or five teaspoons of oil in a bowl and warm water.

After you have washed the hair with shampoo, apply the mask on wet hair, paying more attention to ends, leaving it about 15 minutes and then rinse it off.

This treatment reduces the risk of hair breakage, improves circulation and eliminates dandruff by massaging the scalp.

Immunodeficiency

Grape seeds contain substances such as zinc, copper, selenium, vitamin E, and procyanidins, which are the strongest enemies against free radicals, thereby boosting the body’s immunity.

A diet of grape seed oil, 25 grams per day, for at least a month, helps increase the body’s resistance to infectious factors.

Arthritis

Those who already suffer from arthritis and use this oil regularly may notice an attenuation of pain due to inflammation. This is because grape seeds contain natural anti-inflammatory substances that maintain healthy joint tissues.

Use it in salads (minimum 3 tablespoons daily), in the course of 2-3 months for maximum results.

Allergies

It is also used in allergy treatment because it blocks enzymes that produce histamine (natural substances in the body that cause allergic reactions).

It must be used for 2-3 months to reduce allergies symptoms (daily use of 30 ml). In cases of allergic crisis, this oil enhances the efficiency of vitamin C, which is used in all anti-allergic treatment.

Aging

Grape seed oil cannot, of course, completely stop the aging process, but may extend the biological youth. For women, it helps maintain hormonal balance, preventing premature menopause, as well as dry skin and excess body hair.

Tired Eyes

Several studies show that this oil improves eyesight, helping eyes’ blood vessels function better. It is recommended especially for people whose sight problems occurred due to circulatory problems or aging.

It is also recommended the use of black grapes, because the pigments in their skin help improve the eyesight, especially the night vision.

Contraindications

According to umm.edu, pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take grape seed supplements.

For internal use, there are no other contraindications known, provided that the cooking conditions are respected and the package is not out of date.

Externally, its use should be avoided on oily skin areas, because it may cause local skin reactions.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4988453/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306245372_Grape_Seed_Oil
http://www.imedpub.com/articles/physicochemical-properties-of-two-type-of-shahrodi