3 lesser-known uses of orange peel

We all love to enjoy the burst of juicy and tangy flavours of orange but end up chucking out the peels right away.

Next time you get oranges for yourself, don’t throw away the peel, because these are full of hidden benefits and can be put to use in many ways.

Here are some unusual uses and benefits of orange peel that will make one think twice before tossing it inside the bin.

Oranges are known for their rich Vitamin C content but only few people are aware that along with the pulp, the peels are a rich source of Vitamin C too! Being rich in polyphenols, a plant compound, orange peels are good for maintaining and fighting chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity. According to research, the peel has a higher content of polyphenols than the fruit itself! Essential oils present inside orange peels are known to be rich in limonene that helps in fighting skin cancer. The peels of this zesty fruit are also highly fibrous, which enhances the working of the digestive system properly.

The high content of citric acid present in the peels of the fruit is good for skin lightening. Making orange peel powder at home is very easy and it works as a great de tanning agent as it brightens up the skin naturally. It also works as a great black head remover and scrubbing it all over the face daily can also help in removing dark spots and acne marks. Dry some peels in the sun and blend them in a grinder till the peels turn into a fine powder. One can use this orange peel powder with yoghurt as a face pack or use it as a scrub, just the way it is.

Tired of spraying artificial room fresheners and want to try something natural? Don’t worry we got you covered!

Boil some good amount of orange peels in hot water and add some aromatic spices to it. If you have some vanilla in your kitchen, nothing better than that! Let it stay for a while and simmer. Soon the aroma of the concoction boiling in your kitchen will fill up the house and make it smell zesty and fresh. One can even burn dried up orange peels in the kitchen stove for similar results.

The citrus content makes a great cleaning agent. Making a cleanser using orange peel is very easy. Take a good amount of orange peels and store them along with white vinegar in any air tight jar or mason jar. Let it stay that way for two -three weeks and shake it occasionally. Strain the vinegar out and pour it into a spray bottle to use it as a cleanser. Spray a few droplets and wipe the kitchen counters and stoves to make your kitchen sparkle and shine!