How to Use Grape Seed Extract
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a department of the National Institutes for Health, considers grape seed extract to have health benefits as an antioxidant that prevents damage to the cells in the body. It is being studied for possible use treating diseases of the brain, heart and circulatory system and is also thought to have some potential benefit in the prevention of breast and prostate cancer. Grape seed extract is available as nutritional supplements in capsule or tablet form. For use on the skin, it can be purchased as an oil or as a peel-off mask.
Things You'll Need
- Grape seed extract tablets
- Grape seed extract capsules
- Grape seed extract oil
- Grape seed extract mask
Instructions
-
-
1
Use tablets that contain 100 mg of grape seed extract, but do not take them every day. Dr. Ray Sahelian recommends taking one or two tablets "a few times a week." He says the tablets are effective in reducing joint pain.
-
2
Take capsules that contain 100 mg of grape seed extract as a dietary supplement because grape seed extract contains procyanidins. These are bioflavonoids that are water soluble. Do not take the capsules daily and, if you do choose to take capsules that contain grape seed extract, realize that the clinical trials reported by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine have been just 8 weeks long. While some side effects, such as dizziness and headaches, have been noted, the center concluded that the supplement is safe to take and that the antioxidants in the extract have some presumed health benefits.
-
-
3
Rub oil that contains grape seed extract on the skin to take advantage of its astringent, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a light colored oil made from pressed grape seeds that is also odorless.
-
4
Spread a facial mask made from grape seed extract, such as the one produced by Queen Helene, on your face. Let it dry on your skin. Then peel it off. The mask will remove impurities from your pores and provide the healing benefits of the grape seed extract as it works.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Do not take grape seed extract in combination with prescription medicines unless your doctor knows.
