Ways to use tangerine peels for maximum benefit

Winter is the time of tangerines. Their citrus smell and sweet taste create the atmosphere of the upcoming holidays. Many people consider only the pulp of this fruit to be edible. It has a pleasant taste, contains a large amount of useful substances and strengthens the immune system. It is this property that explains the popularity of citrus fruits in the cold season. At the same time, few people know that the peel of a tangerine is no less useful than its pulp.

The peel, which everyone usually throws away, contains vitamins, minerals, essential oils and other useful substances. At the same time, the concentration of many substances is greater than in the pulp. Tangerine peels have found application in medicine, cosmetology, cooking, gardening and everyday life.

Composition and properties of tangerine peels

Tangerine peels are a healthy and aromatic product. If you don’t throw away the tangerine peel, but store it for future use, it will definitely find its use in the household.

Skins tangerines useful for the body, used in everyday life. It is important to know how to use this product correctly and when it is dangerous to eat it.

Biological and nutritional value

Tangerine peels have a rich biochemical composition. It includes the following substances:

• vitamins: PP, E, C, B1, K, B6, A, D, B2;
• minerals: phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc, magnesium, calcium, sodium;
• alimentary fiber;
• disaccharides;
• organic acids;
• monosaccharides;
• pectin;
• beta-carotene;
• essential oils;
• flavonoids.

Tangerine peel contains limonene, which has a pronounced antibacterial and antifungal effect.

The calorie content of the product is 97 kcal per 100 g. The same amount accounts for 1.2 g of protein, 0.2 g of fat and 25 g of carbohydrates.

Note! Concentration useful substances there is more in the peel than in the pulp.

Harm and benefit

Tangerine peel is a medicinal product. It has a number of useful properties:

• reduces inflammation;
• destroys bacteria;
• strengthens the immune system;
• normalizes intestinal function;
• removes free radicals from the body;
• reduces blood cholesterol levels;
• tones the body;
• improves mood;
• improves the condition of skin and hair;
• activates the liver;
• lowers blood sugar levels;
• lowers blood pressure;
• removes plaque from teeth;
• normalizes hormonal levels;
• antifungal effect;
• breaks down lipids;
• speeds up metabolism.

Tangerine peels can bring not only benefits, but also harm. In some people they cause an allergic reaction, including anaphylactic shock.

The main danger of tangerine peels lies in the means with which they are treated to extend their shelf life and improve their presentation. These substances are harmful to health and are likely to cause symptoms of poisoning. To prevent undesirable consequences, before peeling, oranges are dipped in boiling water and then washed in a soda solution.

Note! It is the attractive tangerines with glossy skin that most often turn out to be treated with harmful drugs.

Is it possible to eat them

The benefits of tangerine peels are enormous. But not everyone likes their taste. The product has a tart, bittersweet taste and a pronounced citrus aroma.

Even those who love tart flavors will not be able to consume more than a few grams of peel raw. However, when properly prepared, the bitterness from citrus peelings disappears, but the rich aroma and astringency remain. In this form, the product will become a real delicacy.

Therapeutic effects on the body

Tangerine peels help cope with a number of diseases. Among them:

1. Cold, sore throat. With colds citrus peel helps cope thanks to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the ability to activate immune processes.
2. Sugar diabetes. Tangerine peels lower blood sugar levels.
3. Women's diseases. The product helps to cope with this problem by normalizing hormonal balance.
4. Cough. Tangerine peels help thin and remove mucus, relieve inflammation, fight bacteria,
5. Bloating, constipation. The product improves intestinal function.
6. Atherosclerosis. The effectiveness of citrus is explained by its ability to remove cholesterol from the body.
7. Obesity. Citrus peel speeds up metabolism and breaks down lipids. Suitable for outdoor and indoor use.
8. Cellulite. The product breaks down fat capsules, improves blood circulation and relieves inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue, which causes cellulite.
9. Depression and stress. Tangerine essential oils improve mood and strengthen the nervous system.
10. Treatment of skin diseases of fungal etiology. When applied externally, a product based on citrus peel destroys pathogenic fungi.

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How to use tangerine peels

Tangerine peelings have a pronounced citrus aroma. Their zest has found use in cooking.

There are traditional medicine recipes in which the product is an integral ingredient.

In folk medicine

Tangerine peels are used in folk medicine. They are used to prepare drugs to solve a wide variety of health problems.

The list shows the most popular products on citrus based:

1. Against cough. To prepare the medicine, the peels of 3 tangerines (both fresh and dried) are infused for 2 weeks in a dark place. Take 3 times a day, diluting 30 drops in a glass of water.
2. For insomnia and stress. 0.5 kg of tangerine peel is boiled in 5 liters of water for 5 minutes, and the mixture is allowed to brew for an hour. The resulting product is filtered and poured into a bath, which is taken for 15 minutes an hour before bedtime.
3. Nail fungus. To get rid of the problem, wipe the orange side of your nails with a fresh orange peel twice a day.
4. From flatulence. Add 1 teaspoon of grated zest or dried tangerine powder to your morning porridge or cottage cheese. Tea with the addition of tangerine peels will also help cope with this problem.
5. For your appetite. 1 teaspoon of ground tangerine peel is poured with a glass of boiling water and left in a dark place for a month. Take 15 drops diluted in 1 tbsp. l of water 15 minutes before meals.
6. For colds. Steam inhalation will help cope with the disease. 2 tbsp. l dried citrus peels are boiled for 5 minutes. When the liquid has cooled a little, bend over it, cover your head with a towel and inhale the vapors.
7. For mastitis. 100 g of tangerine peelings and 20 g of licorice root are poured into 0.5 liters of water and boiled for 10 minutes.Gauze is soaked in a warm decoction and applied to previously kneaded problem areas. The top of the gauze is covered with a film and secured with an adhesive plaster.

Important! Folk remedies can only be used as a supplement to the main treatment after consultation with a specialist.

In cooking

Citrus peels have also found their use in cooking. They are used for different purposes:

1. Spices. Tangerine peel powder or citrus zest goes well with poultry and fish. They are included in seasonings (for example, mixed with rosemary, thyme, white pepper, granulated garlic, paprika).
2. Tea. Orange peels are added to black or green tea (1 teaspoon of zest per 1 tablespoon of tea). Sometimes tea is prepared from the peels of orange, cinnamon and star anise.
3. Beverages. Tangerine peels are added to compotes, mulled wine, and alcoholic cocktails.
4. Candied fruit. Delicious candied fruits are prepared from citrus peels. They are used to decorate desserts or used as sweets.
5. Jam. The product is added to jam made from other fruits and berries combined with citrus fruits, or boiled together with tangerine pulp.
6. Sauces. Tangerines and their zest make delicious sauces for meat and fish.

In cosmetology

Homemade cosmetics are prepared from orange zest, which are not inferior in quality to professional products.

Some of the recipes are especially effective:

1. Anti-cellulite wrap. The peel is ground in a meat grinder or on a fine grater. Add 3 tbsp to the resulting slurry. l honey. The mixture is applied to problem areas, wrapped in film, and warm clothes are put on top. The duration of the wrap is 40-60 minutes.
2. Mask against dry skin. 1 tbsp. l zest powder, 1 raw egg yolk and 1 tsp full-fat sour cream.The mask is applied to the face for 20 minutes. After this, wash off with warm water.
3. Tonic for problematic and oily skin. The peel of half a lemon and 3 tangerines is mixed with 2 tbsp. l dry mint. The mixture is poured into a glass of vodka and left for 2 weeks. Then, as necessary, dilute with water in a ratio of 4:1. Wipe the skin with tonic after washing and do not rinse off.
4. Anti-dandruff rinse. The peel of 6 tangerines is simmered over low heat in 1 liter. water. Then it is left to cool completely and filtered. Rinse your hair with the decoction after washing your hair.
5. Scrub mask from age spots and freckles. The peel of 1 tangerine and 1 lemon is grated. Add 1 tbsp to citrus fruits. l ground coffee and 1 tbsp. l olive oil. The mass is applied to the face and left for 5-10 minutes. Then the product is massaged into the skin and then washed off. Moisturizer is applied to the face.
6. Skin tightening compress. The peel of two tangerines is poured with boiling water and left in a thermos for 4 hours. A cloth is soaked in the infusion and applied to the face and neck for 15 minutes. After the procedure, moisturizer is applied to the skin.
7. A way to strengthen nails. To do this, rub the nail plate with tangerine peel every evening.

At home

Citrus peels help in cleaning and are used for various household needs. The most useful ways to use it are presented in the list:

1. Tangerine peels will help get rid of moths. To do this, dried peelings are placed in fabric bags, which are laid out in cabinets, pockets of sheepskin coats and fur coats.
2. Air freshener. Place the skins of 4 tangerines, 3 clove buds (spices), 1 cinnamon stick into the pan. The mixture is boiled for 10 minutes, after which a glass of vinegar is poured in. The broth is filtered and poured into a container with a spray bottle.
3. Aromatic decor. Transparent vases are filled with a mixture of dried orange peels and flower petals. Such decoration will not only make the interior more interesting and scent the room, but will also make the air cleaner.
4. A product for removing hardened grease and cleaning the refrigerator. To prepare it, 10 tangerine peels are poured with 0.5 liters of vinegar and left for 3 weeks. Then the tincture is filtered and poured into a convenient container.
5. Crusts for cleaning plaque from plumbing fixtures and removing fungus. Apply a little baking soda to the orange side of the skin. The resulting “washcloth” is used to rub the problem areas (faucets, tile seams affected by fungus) and leave for 10 minutes. The remaining product is washed off with warm water.
6. Animal repellent. If cats “mark” corners or go to the toilet there, orange peels will scare the animals away from the area.
7. A decoction for the treatment of fleas in pets. A glass of tangerine peels is poured with a liter of water and boiled for 20 minutes. The product is used to rinse animals after bathing.

In the garden

Tangerine peels are used in the garden and garden. Products based on them are no less effective for indoor plants:

1. From aphids and spider mites. 300 g of citrus peelings are poured into 1 liter of hot water. The product is infused for a week in a warm place. Then add 2 liters of water and 0.5 pieces of grated laundry soap to it. The infusion is sprayed on plants in dry weather twice a week.
2. To repel ants. The peelings of 8 tangerines are ground in a meat grinder and diluted with a liter of water. The mixture is poured onto the anthill.
3. For compost. If you add crushed tangerine peels to the compost, the amount of nitrogen in the fertilizer will increase.
4. To scare away animals. To protect plants from cats, hares and rodents, tangerine peels are laid out in the garden.

How to prepare and store crusts

To dry tangerine peels, they are laid out in one layer on radiators or placed in an oven set to 60°C. Some housewives use special dryers.

Store the product in hermetically sealed containers or fabric bags in a dry, dark place. It is important that moisture does not get on the workpieces.

Advice! For some recipes it is more convenient to use powder. To prepare it, already dried citrus peelings are ground in a coffee grinder.

Contraindications

Orange peels have not only beneficial properties, but also contraindications. These include:

• individual intolerance;
• age up to 3 years;
• exacerbation of stomach diseases.

Conclusion

Tangerine peels are often thrown away without thinking about how necessary and useful this product is. They have found their application in cooking, folk medicine, gardening, and cosmetology. They are used to prepare home cleaning products, moth repellent sachets and other compositions that make life easier.