( 13 reviews )
-
( 1 of 2 found this review helpful ) Posted: Mar 30 2009
Scientific research---(please read before buying! this is nothing more than a bunch of chemicals being tooted as an all natural "safe" product) Anecdotal claims for an antimicrobial effect are based on a few abstract scientific experiments which show some antimicrobial activity for commercial grapefruit seed extracts and an ethanol grapefruit seed extract but not a natural GSE.[15][16][17] There is considerable scientific evidence that the anti-microbial activity associated with grapefruit seed extract is attributable to the contamination or adulteration of commercial GSE preparations with synthetic antimicrobials or preservatives.[18] The preliminary studies for the antimicrobial effect state that the Citricidal brand of GSE was used for testing.[15][16] According to the 2001 GSE study, the Citricidal brand as well as the Nutribiotic brand were both contaminated with synthetic benzethonium chloride that was implausible to be made from grapefruit seeds.[3] Another in vitro study claimed GSE had antibacterial properties.[17] As with the branded in vitro test[15][16] this extract was contaminated.[3] The ethanolic extract tested had become contaminated with ethanol, a chemical used in the extraction process.[17] Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is effective in inhibiting bacteria.[19] Nevertheless, as a result of marketing by manufacturers in the health food arena and a few misinterpreted studies conducted in vitro that tested contaminated extracts which were not pure GSE processed without solvents or brands which are known to contain preservatives, the controversy over the effectiveness of GSE continues even when studies conclude - self-made pure GSE has no natural antimicrobial properties and commercial GSE has been identified with contamination from synthetic preservatives.[1][3][13][18][20] Independent studies have shown that commercial preparations contain the compound benzalkonium chloride, which is a synthetic antimicrobial commonly used in disinfectants and cleaning products, the related compound benzethonium chloride, the antibiotic triclosan, or the preservative methylparaben.[1][13][20] Some samples were shown to contain up to 22% benzalkonium chloride by weight, despite the known allergenicity[21] and toxicity[22] of the compound at higher doses.[13] These chemicals were not present in grapefruit seed extracts prepared in the laboratory, and GSE preparations without the contaminants were found to possess no significant antimicrobial effect.[1] Although citrus seed extract is sold in health food markets,[13] there is no good evidence for any natural antimicrobial activity.[1][14] A study that examined the antiviral properties of GSE found that GSE had no efficacy as a disinfectant for feline calicivirus and feline parvovirus.[23] Grapefruit seed extract has been advocated to be a powerful antimicrobial with proven activity against bacteria and fungi. However, independent studies have shown the efficacy of grapefruit seed extract as an antimicrobial is not demonstrated. Although citrus seed extract is claimed to be a highly effective plant-based preservative by some natural personal care manufacturers, studies asserted that the universal antimicrobial benefits associated with GSE are merely from the presence of synthetic preservatives. Natural GSE has no antimicrobial properties.[1][18] Newer studies found commercial grapefruit seed extracts contaminated with synthetic preservatives such as benzethonium chloride.(source wikipedia)
-
Posted: Mar 13 2009
I have parrots and I use this to clean their cages and around their areas. I don't worry about fumes are things the will hurt them when using this as a cleaner and it works better than cleaners you buy for cleaning.
-
Posted: Jan 9 2009
I had never heard of GSE until a couple of years ago when I got a bad case of thrush due to antibiotics. Then someone told me about GSE, "nature's most powerful antibiotic," and I sat there in disbelief as they told me all the things GSE can be used for: Antibiotic/health supplement Fruit/vegetable wash (kills molds and bacteria on contact) Face wash Toothpaste (or mixed with toothpaste) Sinus spray/wash Douche (helpful for UTI's, candida, bacterial infections) Sterilizer (for anything from your toothbrush to silverware) Household Cleanser (mix with water: save money and the environment) ...and a whole lot more. You can do almost anything with it. A few drops of GSE in your shampoo gets rid of dandruff. Put GSE in a glass of water and soak your toothbrush, sterilizes it Put 30-40 drops in your washing machine to kill bacteria on your clothes better than bleach - and it won't fade or stain fabrics! Got a pimple? Zap it with a drop of GSE. GSE will cure yeast infections naturally and quickly GSE will kill any bacteria in 30 seconds - best of all, without the harmful side effects/chemicals in most pharmaceutical antibiotics or cleansers. A lot cheaper, too at $10 bottle...and they last, because you're only using a few drops a time. So you can't go wrong with GSE! I'm hooked & take a small bottle with me everywhere I go.
