How to Make Good Use of Lemon Peels

Did you know that lemon peel has as much as five to ten times as many vitamins as the lemon juice itself?  If you do not have access to a lemon tree, don't forget to use organic lemons rather than regular ones.

Top 10 uses for lemon peel

1. Anti-fungal
   
2. A natural acne treatment 
3. Good for bone health, oral health and hygiene
4. Help with weight loss
5. To help with bacterial infections
6. A rich source of vitamin C
7. Help regulate blood pressure
8. Helpful for cysts
   
9. Deodorize garbage disposal
10. Keep those pesky insects away

The best way to use those lemon peels?

I will tell you how I eat mine. I use several slices of fresh lemon in my cup of tea (2 or 3 times a day) and I leave the lemon to soak in an inch of cold tea at the bottom of the cup. When it is nice and soggy, I spoon it up and eat it – peel and all. Delicious! I just hope that all those nutrients are still safely there.

And other ways

• Make lemon zest (grated peel) and use fresh, dried or frozen in salads, marinades, baking and all types of supper dishes.
• Use whole lemons including the peel to make delicious home made marmalade.
• Make lemon extract powder by using leftover lemon peels. Dry the peel skin-side down on a plate by leaving out on a counter for about four days before pulverizing into a powder in your blender. Use the lemon powder instead of extract or zest in recipes.
• Another use is candied lemon peels. These can also be done with oranges and grapefruits. Here is how to do it.

Household uses for lemon peel

• Use for tackling small cleaning jobs. Take the peel of a used lemon half and rub on greasy pans, stove tops, counters and other kitchen surfaces before wiping down with a clean cloth. Just be careful not to use on marble counter tops or other surfaces sensitive to acid.
• Clean your kettle or coffee pot by adding a few slices of lemon peel in the water and bringing to the boil before turning off to sit for an hour. Remember to drain and rinse well before using again.
• Clean a microwave oven by filling a microwave-safe bowl filled halfway with water and adding lemon peels. Cook on high for five minutes to allow water to boil. The steam will create condensation on the walls and tops of the oven. Remove the hot bowl and wipe away the walls and inside top of your microwave with a towel.

For beauty treatments

• Make a lemon sugar scrub by mixing 1/2 cup sugar with finely chopped lemon peel before adding some olive oil, making a paste with a good consistency. Decant into small containers for storage for use as needed.
• Use lemon peel to lighten age spots by applying a small piece to the affected area and leaving in place for an hour.
• Suffering from rough, dry elbows? Mix lemon peels with some baking soda and rub the mixture onto the elbows for several minutes before rinsing and drying for softer, smoother elbow skin.
• Use lemon peels as a skin tonic by lightly rubbing onto the face before rinsing with water (being careful to avoid the eye area). They won't be anti-wrinkle but they will help to tone the skin.

Lemons are another wonderful whole food - especially when you use the whole lemon and not just the juice.