Don't Just Discard That Orange Peel, It Can Be Invaluable!
You may be very environmentally conscious and always diligently compost your discarded fruit and veggie peelings and skins but, at the same time, you could be losing out on some extra health benefits. Organic orange peels are really useful… Here are some suggestions:
In the kitchen
- Although considered just a by-product, dried orange peel is popularly used in a variety of recipes as a flavoring.
- Fresh orange peel can be grated to add as a zest.
- Orange peel can also be dried and candied while rehydrating dried orange peel can be used as a substitute for orange zest.
For your health
Use some bitter orange peel and consume for these health benefits...- To improve digestion and remove sluggishness in the abdomen.
- To help take away gas, heartburn, too much acidity or even to alleviate vomiting.
- To perk up the appetite and relieve nausea.
- To help dissolve phlegm in the respiratory systems, getting rid of coughs, asthma and more.
- Those same essential oils in orange peels act as a natural sedative, calming nerves, relieving stress and of course inducing sleep. Simmer some peels in a pot of boiling water to give a lift to your mood or help you sleep.
- In addition, the pericarp (that white membrane of the orange peel) is a source of pectin and a soluble dietary fiber with a variety of health benefits including naturally lowering cholesterol and improving insulin resistance.
- Raw orange peel has over a gram of protein and is a source of potassium, riboflavin and vitamin A.
- At the same time, orange peels contain beta-carotene (an antioxidant) which gets converted to vitamin A in your body to benefit both your immune system and your eye health.
In the bathroom
- Oily skin responds well when you apply orange peels, balancing the skin oils and making the skin smooth and soft.
- Dried orange peel "beads" act as natural exfoliators to remove dead cells and blackheads gently and naturally while bringing a natural glow to the skin.
- Orange peels also help to remove dark spots and blemishes.
- Orange peel has natural cleansing, anti inflammatory, anti bacterial and antifungal properties to help combat pus-filled pimples and acne.
- Use orange peels in warm night time baths to help you relax and sleep better.
In the home
- Boil some orange peel in water with clove or cinnamon and use its lovely natural fragrance to remove damp or musky odors.
- The outer layer of an orange peel contains orange oil which can be used in soaps and water-less hand cleaners.
Be aware
If your orange peel is non organic and you are at all concerned about possible pesticide residue on any peels or skins, clean with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar in 1 cup of water.
How to Eat Orange Peels
1. Wash the orange (either with the method above or with some warm water and rinse well).
2. Either peel the whole orange or cut into 4 slices before peeling the skin from each piece.
3. Grate the peel by using a grater or a vegetable peeler and add to salads, deserts or smoothies.
4. Dehydrate the peel in a food dehydrator from 8 to 12 hours at a temperature of around 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Steep the peel in hot tea and drink for an instant soothing effect if you are suffering from a cough, a cold or the flu.
The USA is one of the largest producers of oranges in the world and we should be taking full advantage of this home-grown fruity jewel.
But there is just one more thing to say about orange peel and that is not a very popular piece of information! It is the name often given to the appearance of cellulite and of course most people don't like cellulite and the "orange peel look" it brings.
But you can use our own natural remedy H-Cellulite Formula for gentle and safe cellulite reduction on thighs, legs, buttocks, stomach, arms and anywhere else!
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Sources:
Appendix 7. Nutritional goals for age-sex groups based on dietary reference intakes and Dietary Guidelines recommendations. (n.d.).
https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/appendix-7/Â .(Accessed, 27 September, 2021).
Choline: Fact sheet for health professionals. (2019).
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Choline-HealthProfessional/. (Accessed, 27 September, 2021).
Diabetes diet, eating, & physical activity. (2016). . (Accessed, 27 September, 2021).
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/diet-eating-physical-activity . (Accessed, 27 September, 2021).
Gray, A., & Threlkeld, R. J. (2019). Nutritional recommendations for individuals with diabetes.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279012/. (Accessed, 27 September, 2021).
Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.