BOTANICAL NAME: Vitus vinifera
ORIGIN: Italy, France, Spain, Argentina
PARTS USED: fruit, seed
FRAGRANCE: none (clean), or can be sweet, light, nutty
BLENDS: any essential oils, some better than others, depending on your intention.
MAGICAL USES: fertility, garden magic, mental powers, money
Health Benefits of Grapeseed
From lowering cholesterol to reducing fine lines and wrinkles, it turns out that the oil inside those tiny seeds in grapes has a whole "bunch" of benefits! Top chefs are now cooking with grapeseed oil because of its amazing effect on enhancing the natural flavours of food. It's one of the few foods known that not only reduces LDL (the bad cholesterol), but raises HDL (the good cholesterol). This helps to keep arteries clear, which may contribute to another benefit of grapeseed oil - its potential to guard against impotence. Grapeseed oil contains a high level of antioxidants, including vitamin E, which makes it not only healthy, but very stable.
While grapeseed oil is usually odorless, it is nevertheless very popular in aromatherapy. It is used as a carrier for the more potent and aromatic essential oils, which should not be applied to the skin in their pure form. Grapeseed oil facilitates the entry of essential oils into the skin and provides a few other benefits as well. It can also be used purely on its own as a massage oil since it is absorbed easily and is suitable for all skin types. It does not exacerbate acne, but will improve skin tone and texture because of its slightly astringent properties.
Since it is very rich in vitamins, protein and minerals, grapeseed oil is often used as a major ingredient in skin care products such as bath oils, soaps, lip balms, cosmetics and facial creams. Some makeup formulations for acne-prone and oily skin have grapeseed oil in them since it is rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, both of which positively affect skin health. Grapeseed oil also has excellent emollient properties; meaning, it makes the skin feel more supple and smooth because it locks in moisture. Moreover, it doesn’t leave a greasy, sticky feeling, so it’s ideal as a moisturizer.
Safety Warning: Never ingest essential oils without a prescription.