5 Alternative Uses for Orange Peels
People normally throw away the orange peels after eating an orange or making fresh juice our of it. But what they don’t know is that they can be used for natural remedies as well as around the house.
They may not taste great, but orange peels are a significant source of vitamins, minerals, and essential oils that have the power to prevent and treat health problems.
Plus, they’re also great for beauty and cosmetic purposes, with a versatility that makes them go well with other ingredients.
Since so many people are still throwing these peels away, today we’d like to share 5 interesting ways you can use them.
Read on!
1. Natural cough medicine
There’s a significant amount of vitamin C in orange peels. Vitamin C is a nutrient that strengthens your immune system and helps you find relief from respiratory illnesses.
Along with the antioxidants and minerals in orange peels, it reduces congestion and excess mucous in order to help with your cough.
Ingredients
- The peel of one orange
- 2 tablespoons of honey (50 g)
- 1 cup of water (250 ml)
Instructions
- Cut the orange peel into several pieces and heat in the cup of water.
- Once boiling, remove from heat and let sit 10 minutes.
- Then, strain and sweeten with honey.
How to use
- Consume 2 to 3 cups of orange peel tea a day until your cough is gone.
“Want to learn more? 8 Medicinal Properties of Orange Peels You May Not Know About”
2. All-purpose cleaner
The natural oils in orange peels are naturally antiseptic and antibacterial, a property you can use to help clean your home.
Here, we’ll enhance the effect by combining it with white vinegar to get an all-purpose disinfectant.
Ingredients
- The peel of 2 oranges
- 1 cup of white vinegar (250 ml)
Instructions
- Chop the orange peel into pieces and add them to a glass jar.
- Cover them with the white vinegar and let the mixture sit for 10 days.
- After this time, strain and pour into a spray bottle.
How to do
- Spray the cleaner onto the surface you want to disinfect and let sit 2 or 3 minutes.
- Remove any excess with a microfiber cloth.
3. Face mask for blackheads
Orange peels contain astringent substances that help remove excess oil from your skin and thus minimize blackheads and pimples.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of grated orange peel (20 g)
- 1 egg white
Instructions
- Grate the orange peel and then mix it with the egg white.
How to use
- At night after removing your makeup, smooth the mask over your face.
- Let sit 30 minutes and then rinse with warm water.
- Repeat 2 or 3 times a week.
4. Remedy for indigestion
Orange peels are a significant source of fiber, a nutrient that supports good digestion.
They help improve intestinal movement while at the same time acting as a diuretic and detoxifier.
Ingredients
- The peel of one orange
- 1 cup of water (250 ml)
Instructions
- Cut up the orange peel and heat with the water.
- Once boiling, remove from heat and let steep for 10 to 15 minutes.
How to consume
- Consume one cup of tea anytime you notice symptoms of indigestion.
- Take as a preventative measure when you eat rich meals that tend to cause indigestion.
“Check this article out too: 4 Natural Teas for People With Digestive Problems”
5. Homemade deodorizer for your shoes
The wonderful aroma these peels give off can help neutralize bad odors in your shoes.
If you combine the peels with a bit of baking soda, you get a homemade deodorizer to fight bacteria and unpleasant smells.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of grated orange peel (20 g)
- 3 tablespoons of baking soda (30 g)
Instructions
- Grate the orange peel and mix with the baking soda.
How to use
- Sprinkle the product in your shoes and let sit for 10 to 12 hours.
- Repeat two or three times a week to keep bad odors away.
Are you someone who throws orange peels in the trash? Now that you know some alternative uses for them, save them next time and give them a second life in your home!
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
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Ho, S. C., & Lin, C. C. (2008). Investigation of heat treating conditions for enhancing the anti-inflammatory activity of citrus fruit (Citrus reticulata) peels. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 56(17), 7976-7982.
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Milind, P., & Dev, C. (2012). Orange: range of benefits. Int Res J Pharm, 3(7), 59-63.
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Yoshizaki, N., Fujii, T., Masaki, H., Okubo, T., Shimada, K., & Hashizume, R. (2014). Orange peel extract, containing high levels of polymethoxyflavonoid, suppressed UVB‐induced COX‐2 expression and PGE 2 production in HaCaT cells through PPAR‐γ activation. Experimental dermatology, 23, 18-22.
