Lemon peel benefits and uses. The benefits of lemon peel in medicine, everyday life and cosmetics

17.10.2020

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If life gave you a lemon, make lemonade. But what to do with all this zest? Do not throw it away - let it also serve the cause. Lemon juice contains about 5-6% citric acid and a pH level between 2 and 3. This makes it ideal for safely removing scale and mineral stains from kitchen surfaces.
Following are the ways to use lemon peel:

1. Removal of greasy stains

Greasy deposits on pots? Are the cooking zones overgrown with grease? If your kitchen has fallen prey to toasting, try using lemon halves before using toxic cleaners. Sprinkle a little salt (for abrasion) on half a lemon and rub the greasy stain with it, then wipe the surface with a rag. (Be careful with marble surfaces or any other acid sensitive).

2. Cleaning the kettle or coffee maker

To remove limescale from your kettle, fill it with water, add a handful of finely chopped lemon zest and put it all on fire. After boiling, let the kettle with this liquid stand for an hour, pour out the liquid and rinse the kettle well. To clean the coffee maker, you need to put ice, salt and lemon zest in it, shake it all well for a minute or two, shake it out and rinse the coffee maker. Everything will shine!

3. Cleaning the microwave

Microwaving food, especially unsuccessful cooking, usually leads to a rapid loss of cleanliness and appearance of the latter. The spots may look like dried lumps of cement. Before you pick up a chemical cleaner, try this: Add lemon peel to a microwave-safe dish half filled with water. Turn on the oven at full power for 5 minutes, let the water boil and the steam condense on the walls of the microwave. Then just take out the dishes and wipe off all that dirt with a damp cloth.

4. Deodorizing the trash can

You can also use lemon zest to deodorize the most unpleasant place - trash cans - and give your kitchen a fresh flavor. This, by the way, is a good last use of lemon after using any of these tips.
5. Polishing chrome surfaces

Mineral deposits on chrome-plated faucets, as well as on other surfaces made of this metal, can be easily removed with lemon. Rub this surface with a squeezed half of lemon, rinse and lightly polish with a soft cloth.

6. Polishing copper surfaces

A lemon half dipped in salt or baking soda can be used to clean and freshen copper, brass, and stainless steel cookware. It is necessary to rub the contaminated place with such a half of lemon and leave for 5 minutes. Then the dishes should be rinsed with warm water and polished dry.

7. Cleaning stainless steel sinks

Use the same method as for cleaning chrome surfaces.

8. Scare away insects

Many animals have an aversion to citric acid. You can cut lemon and put slices on doorsteps, windowsills, near cracks and holes through which intruders in the form of ants and other harmful insects can enter your home.

9. Making a scented humidifier

If in winter the air in your home is dried up by heating, a lemon will again come to the rescue. Fill the crockery with water, put the lemon zest in the water and place on the stove. After boiling, reduce heat to low and leave it there for a while. The air will be humidified and filled with a fresh scent.

10. Refresh the cutting board

Due to its low pH, lemon has antibacterial properties, making it an excellent cleaner for many kitchen surfaces, including cutting boards. After disinfection, rub the surface of the board with half a lemon, let it sit for a few minutes and rinse.

11. Maintain the flowability of brown sugar

If your Brown sugar more like refined sugar, try adding a little lemon rind (removing all traces of rind from it first) to maintain its moisture and free flowing properties. (In all recipes using lemon peel, always clean the surface well of dirt and wax.)
12. Dried peel

Lemon peel can be finely grated to retain all the lemon flavor. You can use the peel fresh, dried or frozen. (If you know you will be harvesting the rind, it’s easier to grate it when it’s still on the lemon, before squeezing out the juice.) To dry the peel, sprinkle it in a thin layer on a towel and leave to dry completely, then transfer to a jar. Use a freezer container to freeze the peel. Lemon peel is used in salads, marinades, baked goods, cereals, etc.

13. Making Lemon Peel Cookies

If you've prepared the rind, be sure to add it to the cookies. It will surprise you with its amazing taste!

14. Lemon peel flagella

Lemon peel strips, which curl into flagella when dried, are good for use in cocktails, soda, or regular drinking water. Use a peeler or knife to prepare them, carefully removing the bitter white flesh. These flagella can also be frozen in a container or bag.

15. Preparation of lemon extract

Make lemon peel flagella (above) and dry them upside down on a plate for 3-4 days. Put them in a blender and grind them to a flour condition. Use as an extract in culinary recipes.

16. Cooking lemon sugar

You can add the prepared lemon extract (above) to the sugar, or put fresh lemon peel flagella in the sugar jar so the sugar can absorb the oil.

17. Cooking lemon pepper
Combine the lemon extract (above) with freshly ground pepper.

18. Candied fruits

You can also make candied peel from grapefruit peel. Candied fruits are easy to prepare, because they are just candied peels, and you can eat them just like that, dipping them into melted chocolate, add them to cookies, sweets or bread.

For beauty

19. Lightening age spots

Many folk recipes it is advised to use lemon zest to lighten age spots. To do this, place a small piece of lemon zest on the stain and let it sit for an hour.

20. Softening dry elbows
Use half a lemon sprinkled with baking soda. Just dip your elbow in the lemon and twirl it for a few minutes, as if you are going to squeeze juice out of it. Then rinse your elbows and pat dry.

21. Use on the skin
Lemon peel can be a great tonic if you rub it lightly over your face, avoiding the eye area.

22. Making a sugar scrub

Combine half a cup of sugar with lemon zest and olive oil until you get a sour cream consistency. Moisten body skin in the shower, turn off the water and massage the mixture onto the skin, then rinse.

Few of those who use lemon in their cooking know how good lemon peel is. Not everyone knows that it is not only a pleasant taste and aroma, but also a storehouse of vitamins. can be used in baked goods and desserts, as well as in salads or hot dishes. The main thing is to know how to make lemon zest. Several useful tips and tricks we will consider in the article.

Lemon zest

What it is? This question can be asked by many inexperienced young housewives. In fact, the zest is the thin layer of citrus peel. White pulp, which is under the skin, is no longer considered a zest and is not used in cooking, because it tastes bitter. You can find ready-made lemon zest in grocery stores, but it is better to cook it yourself, especially since there is absolutely nothing complicated about it.

How to cook zest?

For those who have no idea, lemon zest, photos will help you understand how to cook it. To do this, you just need a fine grater or coffee grinder and rinse thoroughly, remove the stickers, if any, and then scald with boiling water. This is necessary in order for the zest to go away better. Then the skin is cut off in a thin layer and left to dry. When it dries and becomes brittle, you need to grind it into powder (the easiest way to do this is with a blender or coffee grinder). Such a zest can be stored in a jar for quite a long time and used as needed. However, fresh zest is also added to baked goods. To do this, using a grater, carefully remove the top layer from the lemon and add the resulting shavings to the dough. To make the zest easier to remove, the lemon can be held for a little freezer... But you also need to understand, when lemon peel is used, that it is not only an amazing aroma and refined taste, and and undoubted benefit the body.

Beneficial features

Lemon peel has a whole spectrum useful properties and has a beneficial effect on the human body. It helps to maintain the health of the skeletal system, as it contains a large amount of calcium and vitamin C. In addition, the peel helps to prevent diseases such as arthritis or rheumatism. Being a source of bioflavonoids, lemon peel helps to remove various toxic substances from the body, which are extremely harmful, since they increase the likelihood of developing alcohol dependence and overeating. No less interesting, but not particularly known fact about lemon zest is the possibility of its use in the prevention of cancer. Also, zest lowers cholesterol levels, improves heart function, normalizes blood pressure, and prevents the development of diabetes.

Lemon zest can be used as an adjunct to maintain oral hygiene and health as it helps to combat bleeding gums. And this is far from all the amazing properties of lemon peel. It can help you lose weight, cleanse your liver and fight swelling. Therefore, to the question: "Lemon zest - what is it?" you can safely answer that this is not only an irreplaceable ingredient for many dishes, but also an excellent tool that can be used to heal and strengthen the body.

Very often in recipes you can find such an ingredient as lemon peel. If you have never come across a similar concept or simply want to learn more about this product, then this article is for you.

Lemon zest - what is it, how is it made and stored?

The zest is the very top of the citrus peel. These fruits are designed in such a way that the top of their skin is saturated with essential oils, which can be preserved even when dried. But remember - only the colored layer of the peel is referred to as the zest.

To prepare lemon zest, you first need to wash the fruit very well, preferably with a brush, then scald it with boiling water for more reliable disinfection. And then you need to use either a kitchen knife or a grater.

If you decide to cut off the peel of the lemon, then you need to take a sharp knife and cut a very thin layer from the lemon. If you prefer a grater, rub the zest on a fine grater and make sure that only the yellow layer of the peel is rubbed, otherwise dishes with such a zest will acquire a bitter taste.

Then the resulting zest is dried and placed in a glass or metal jar with a tight lid. Store without moisture. In addition to drying, you can use freezing if you want to use fresh zest for your own purposes.

The benefits and harms of lemon peel

Why is lemon peel so prized? Primarily because of the aroma that it is capable of transmitting to food and drinks. But this product also has many valuable properties. This thin layer of fruit peel is packed with many vitamins and minerals. The zest contains:

The calorie content of this product per hundred grams is only 16 kilocalories, so such an additive to food will not affect your figure in any way, but it will bring a lot of benefits.

Useful properties of lemon peel when consumed regularly

What your body will get with a sufficient amount of this product:

Who can be harmed by eating zest

First of all, for allergy sufferers - citrus fruits are a product of increased allergenicity. Lemon, like its zest, increases acidity in the human stomach, so if you have problems with the gastrointestinal tract due to high acidity, especially ulcers, then you should not use this product... Excessive use in others can lead to heartburn.

Where is lemon peel used

In cooking

First of all, dried lemon peel is used in culinary affairs.

It is an excellent seasoning for baked goods, fish and vegetable dishes... It is worth laying from one to two grams of zest. Add to soups at the very end, before turning off the heat, let stand for a few minutes.

Alternatively, you can take regular salt and mix it with crushed lemon peel, then add more spices and seasonings to your liking.

The same can be done with sugar. Take a zip bag, a couple of glasses of sugar and fresh lemon peel (determine the amount of zest yourself, equal to how rich you want the lemon flavor in the sugar).

Pour the ingredients into the bag, mix thoroughly, and then open the bag and leave it that way for a couple of hours. This is needed to dry the sugar. Then you can close the bag, stir the mixture again and put it in the cabinet.

Do you want to make a quick refreshing drink with a lemon hint in the summer heat? Then distribute the sliced zest in ice molds in advance, fill them with fresh lemon juice or water and put in the freezer. They can then be used to add to drinks and cocktails.

You can insist olive oil on lemon peels. For this all, you need to pour the crusts into a glass jar, pour oil, do not close the lid and send it to a dark place for two weeks. Shake the mixture from time to time. Then we strain the oil into a glass bottle and use it in cooking.

The following sandwich mass turns out to be quite interesting: chopped greens are mixed with lemon peel grated on a fine grater and mixed in a blender with butter.

Then the mass is spread on parchment, rolled up and sent to the refrigerator. After a few hours, the mass is ready for use.

You can also make delicious lemon peel wedges covered with a caramel shell:

Cut off a thin layer of the lemon peel, make sure that the thick white layer does not come off, it should remain on the lemon. Cut the peel into thin strips and place in a pot of water;
Wait for the water with the crusts to boil, boil for half a minute, pour out the water and dry the crusts with a kitchen napkin. Do the same again;
Refill the pot with water and add sugar in the proportion of 3 parts sugar to 4 parts water, heat the water until the sugar dissolves;
Pour strips of peel into sugar water, boil water;
Reduce heat to low and cook the strips within an hour and a half, stirring occasionally. The readiness of the peel is determined when it acquires a translucent state;
We pour the resulting syrup into a glass container for further use (good drinks are obtained based on it), dry the strips a little;
The zest must remain sticky, as it must then be dipped in sugar and left to dry on a suitable surface, which has been previously covered with baking paper;
Once dry, the caramel strips are ready to use.

Use on the farm

This product is widely used in everyday life, helping with cleaning:

Spread lemon peels on the refrigerator shelves and forget about the bad smell.
Soak the lemon zest in a glass jar with vinegar (9%) for two weeks. Then strain the mixture and dilute in half with water. Now you have a remedy for all stubborn dirt, even stubborn grease. True, if you cannot clean especially difficult places with the resulting product, then you need to dilute the vinegar to a lesser extent.
Lightly soiled oily surfaces can simply be wiped with lemon peel, but remember that it contains acid. There are surfaces that are very sensitive to acidic environments.
Does your waste basket smell bad? Put the zest in there and instead of a bad smell, you get a light citrus scent.
Tortured by limescale? Take a piece of lemon peel and rub it over problem areas. You will be pleasantly surprised by the result.
Lemon peel is also good as a chopping board disinfectant. Rub the zest on the board, wait a few minutes, rinse.
Many insects dislike the lemon scent. Place the peel on the windows and near the cracks, and most of all midges will be afraid to poke their attention.
To humidify the room, place the zest in a container of water and put on low heat.
With the help of lemon peel, you can easily clean the microwave: put the zest in a glass bowl filled with water, turn on the oven for five minutes, then take out the hot bowl and wipe the walls of the microwave.

Don't want to use commercial citric acid to descale your kettle? Then place a nice handful of sliced lemon peel in the kettle, cover it with water and bring to a boil.

Lemon peel in cosmetics

As you can see, lemon peel is very useful product widely used in food preparation and everyday life. She is able to enrich our body with vitamins and substances that benefit.

Thanks to lemon peels, you can keep your home clean and pleasantly scented. And also keep your skin in good condition. Here is such a zest, a small but diverse helper, which is often undeservedly thrown into the trash.

Now you have learned in what many cases this product can be applied. It remains to try in practice.

Plants, certain parts of them, seeds and fruits have long been used by people as spices - aromatic and flavoring additives to food. The aromatic and luxurious zest of citrus fruits is an exquisite spice that brings health benefits, and how to prepare and use it - in our article. Its mild spicy taste and light aroma make any dish "play", demonstrating the versatility of all ingredients, including the simplest!

The zest is the outermost shell of citrus fruits: lemon, lime, orange, orange, grapefruit and tangerine. This shell is intensely colored with pigments, covered with pores (glands) filled with essential oils. Essential oils in glandular sacs, possessing volatility, flavor the dish and give it a light piquant aftertaste.

How to make dried zest

The peel of citrus fruits consists of two layers: the upper, pigmented and etheric, and the lower, white, dense and springy subcrustal layer. This white mass should not go into the raw material for the zest, as it is bitter and can spoil the final taste of the cooked dish.

Essential oils, which are so rich in the outer shell of citrus fruits, are found in the etheric glands, which look like pores. Here we must carefully remove them with a knife! The thinner you cut the rind, the better the rind.

Before preparing the zest, the citrus fruit must be carefully washed with a brush, placed in a deep cup and covered with boiling water for 1 minute. This is a necessary step in the preparation of citrus zest, as growers often treat the surface with protective chemicals.

If the surface of the fruit looks too shiny or sticky to the touch, then, most likely, the products are treated with a wax composition, so before getting the zest, you need to stand the fruit in boiling water. Next, remove the moisture with a towel and carefully cut off the top layer of the peel.

To cut off the upper pigmented layer, a very sharp knife with a thin blade is needed, with which the zest is removed, usually with a thin tape. You can purchase a special peel-off knife, with which the upper shell is cut off in a 2 mm layer in the form of a tape. This cutting allows you to get a very high quality product.

Often, a grater with medium to small, sharp knives is used to obtain fresh rind. We do not recommend doing this, since frequent grating knives allow the ether-carrying glands, as a result, the ethers evaporate, and the smell becomes weak or disappears altogether.

Lay out the cut pigmented shell in a thin layer on a porcelain flat dish. It is advisable to cover the bottom of the dish with a sheet of white paper, and lay out zest tape on top for drying.

During drying, turn shavings by turning the other side. The finished product becomes brittle and crumbles easily between the fingers. Usually, in a kitchen, the skin completely loses moisture within 3 days. Then grind it in a mortar or crush it with a rolling pin until it crumbs and put it in a glass jar with a tight lid.

How to freeze zest

Frozen zest in the juice of the eponymous citrus is an impressive ingredient in sauces, gravies, aromatic additives in drinks and desserts. In general, it is a universal spice in many recipes!

Cut off the top zest layer of citrus, put it in ice cube trays and fill it with the juice of the fruit we just peeled. We put it in freeze! The spice is ready! Most often, lemon and orange zest are frozen.

The ethereal shell, sprinkled with sugar, is an excellent addition to tea and other drinks, in the fillings of sweet pies, for flavoring desserts, casseroles, babas and puddings.

Typically, candied zest is made from orange, lemon, lime, or tangerine.

Let's take a look at the benefits of citrus peel and the features of the use of each of its types.

Lemon zest

This is the most consumed zest in cooking! Before removing the top etheric layer of the lemon peel, you need to especially try! We recommend that you do this work very diligently, because the lower subcrustal layer of white is very bitter, and if part of it gets into food, the food will taste bitter.

If you competently and thinly cut off the ether-bearing layer from the lemon peel, and chose a really ripe lemon, then its color after drying retains its lemon-yellow color. If you have captured too much white subcrustal mass, then the zest will be uneven. yellow color with brown spots.

Useful properties of lemon peel

The health benefits of lemon peel are so great that it would not be wise to neglect its use in recipes! Lemon zest is literally saturated with vitamins, minerals and valuable organic acids.

100 g of the etheric layer contains 129 mg of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), 160 mg of potassium and 134 mg of calcium!

The outer rind of lemon is good for our bones by saturating them with bioactive calcium! Together with vitamin C, it prevents the development of arthritis and arthrosis, joint rheumatism and osteoporosis.
Removes toxic substances and radionuclides - due to the high content of bioflavonoids. Bioflavonoids also prevent the formation and accumulation of cholesterol in blood vessels.
Eating lemon peel will help mitigate the effects of oxidative stress, which is associated with metabolic disorders of oxidative reactions in the body.
The saturation of the crust with potassium makes it an effective tool for strengthening the cardiovascular system, as well as for normalizing blood pressure.
Lemon peel is full of antioxidants, as well as the substances salvestrol Q40 and limonene - the protectors of cells from their transformation into cancerous ones.
Eating ground dried lemon peel will keep your mouth healthy as the vitamin C in it helps with scurvy, bleeding gums, and gingivitis. It can also whiten tooth enamel.

The use of lemon peel in cooking

The essential top layer of lemon does not contain citric acid, and therefore, when added to any dishes, it does not transfer its acid to them, but only an easily recognizable aroma. As a rule, peel powder is poured a couple of minutes before the dish is ready and insisted for another 3-4 minutes.

You can use this lemon product in a wide variety of dishes - from vegetables and meat - to any pastry shop! In addition to hot and cold dishes, they are enriched with all kinds of drinks - with or without alcohol.

The ethereal lemon shell gives a special taste and aroma to fish and meat dishes, gravy to them, as well as jellied meat, aspic, casseroles and puddings. Soups and hodgepodge, salads and pates acquire an amazing aroma and taste if you add dried lemon peel to them.

All of the above properties and uses also apply to lime zest, only lime has a more sophisticated aroma, which is reflected in the aroma of its crust.

Orange peel

The juicy pulp of the orange is inedible due to its bitter and sour taste. Therefore, in cooking, only its upper porous shell is used, which resembles lemon in aroma, and orange in properties and chemical composition.

Orange peel has a much more subtle flavor than orange or lemon.

Useful properties of orange peel

Orange peel is very beneficial for decreased appetite or metabolic disorders. Ground crust in food will help the liver and kidneys when they are prone to stone formation, i.e. it has a diuretic and choleretic effect.
Strengthens the immune system, demonstrates an antioxidant effect. Eliminates vitamin deficiencies, improves blood counts, treats anemia.
Increases the elasticity and strength of connective tissues, slows down the aging of the body.
It has an antiseptic and antimicrobial effect.
The scent of orange is a great antidepressant! Creates a positive mood and relieves feelings of longing.

The use of orange peel in cooking

Mainly used in confectionery(women, Easter cakes, muffins), in alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, in various desserts. As a spice with a delicate aroma - in meat and fish gravies, in fillings for poultry and fish.

White crushed food such as cottage cheese, yoghurt, protein cream or rice, colors in a juicy light yellow color.

Orange peel

Orange is a wonderful vitamin fruit. In addition to the healthy pulp of an orange, its zest, as a spice addition, will significantly increase the nutritional value of the dishes you add it to. Essential orange oil is squeezed out of the top layer of the fruit peel.

How to cook the zest, we have already described above. By the way, it is easier to cut it from an orange than from a thin-skinned orange or lemon, since the subcrustal layer is not as bitter and tart as theirs.

Before removing the zest layer from the orange, the fruit must be carefully washed with a brush and kept for a minute. hot water... This technique will help get rid of potential chemicals on the surface of the peel. If you do not do this, then the cooked product can be harmful to health.

After drying the cut peel, pour it into a dry jar and store under the lid in a dark place.

The etheric layer of the orange peel is the most useful part fruit! If the benefits are so great, then why are we so habitually throwing away the peel? We hope that after our information you will not throw away anything that will help improve the quality of your life.

As in the peel of a lemon, a huge amount of vitamins and mineral compounds are concentrated in the outer layer of an orange. It is also rich in pectin and is loaded with essential oil that has impressive medicinal properties. It is obtained by cold pressing, or distillation.
Pectins and fiber have a beneficial and mild effect on the intestines, improve all processes in the gastrointestinal tract. Useful substances in orange peel improve its motor function and prevent the development of putrefactive bacteria in it. They also contribute to satiety and relieve hunger, harmonize metabolism.
Dried and fresh outer shells of oranges reduce blood cholesterol levels, increase immunity (due to vitamins C and B group). Mineral salts of phosphorus and calcium strengthen bones and restore healthy joints.
Essential oils, organic acids and pectins normalize the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, purifying and improving their elasticity.
The crusts help the liver to cope with the stress, as they have a choleretic effect.

The use of orange peel in cooking

Orange peel actually retains its orange color when dried, slightly discoloring white products. It is used in the recipe exclusively for confectionery and desserts, as well as in the production of alcoholic and other beverages.

But there are no limits for experimenters! Try to include it in both fish and meat dishes... It turns out very spicy!

The peel of tangerines for peeling the zest is used very rarely - due to its thinness and the difficulty of removing it from the subcrustal layer. When dried, it does not lose its tangerine flavor.

Useful properties of tangerine peel

What are the benefits of mandarin zest? Her medicinal properties slightly different from the properties of other citrus fruits, although they partially repeat them. But there are also features:

The top layer of the tangerine peel (its infusion) has high expectorant properties and is often used in the treatment of bronchitis to dilute secretions. Tangerine zest powder in folk medicine used as an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent.
It is a reliable astringent for diarrhea.
Demonstrates a calming effect, stabilizes mood, is useful in depressive conditions.

The use of tangerine peel in cooking

Dried mandarin peel powder is used to flavor baked goods, pastries, creams, ice cream and other desserts. Mandarin zest has a very delicate and refined aroma.

It is also used as a light spice in sauces and gravies for fish, meat and vegetables, and is added to pie fillings.

Grapefruit zest

Grapefruit is a hybrid fruit resulting from natural cross-pollination. But because of this, it did not become less useful than other types of citrus fruits, and even - on the contrary! A hybrid of lemon and orange is striking in its richness chemical composition and medicinal properties.

Removing the zest from a grapefruit is easy! It is not necessary to cut it thinly, because the subcrustal white layer does not taste bitter, but has a rather pleasant taste. The outermost shell has a very multifaceted and strong bouquet of aromas and perfectly emphasizes the taste of dishes to which it is added as a soft spice.

Useful properties of grapefruit zest

All parts of the grapefruit are extremely healthy! But the outer layer of the rind has its own secrets!

The brewed crust of the fruit helps to lower blood sugar, improve well-being in diabetes mellitus.
Relieves heartburn, helps with diseases of the stomach and liver.
Grapefruit rind, both as an independent dessert and as a spice, has a beneficial effect on metabolism, often accelerating and normalizing it. Therefore, all parts of the fruit are used in many well-known weight loss diets.
Massage with the dried and powdered top grapefruit crust helps to get rid of cellulite.

The use of grapefruit zest in cooking

The top layer of the peel is used in confectionery and baked goods, for the manufacture of alcoholic liqueurs and soft drinks... Also, the delicacy aroma of the essential grapefruit peel enhances desserts and fruit salads.

Citrus zest is an amazing spice that simply has to be in your storerooms! Having tasted its aroma and soft taste, you will add it to almost all dishes!

This soft spice, with a weak taste, therefore, it can be included in the recipe in large quantities - in comparison with the use of other spices. The measure is the taste of the dish - the appearance of a slight bitterness indicates the sufficiency of the spice volume.

Everyone must have come across the various health and beauty benefits of lemon juice, but did you know that the lemon peel you throw away after getting this juice also has many medicinal properties and can be beneficial for improving your health. The properties of lemon peel are discussed in this article.

Everyone knows that lemons are rich in vitamin C. The following is information on how much vitamin C and other nutrients are in one 108 g pitted lemon.

Lemon is one of those fruits that nature has endowed with so many healing and soothing properties that even one serving is beneficial. Often, in search of various means and methods of treatment for ailments that bother us, we, having tried all sorts of options and spending time and money to achieve effective results, find that the optimal solution is something that is near us, in our garden or in the kitchen. Lemon is such a solution to many health problems. The beneficial qualities of lemon are very accessible, you can use them by drinking a glass of warm lemon water in the morning, squeezing lemon juice on favorite dish at lunchtime or sipping a refreshing lemon tea in the evening.

Drinking lemon not only stimulates the taste buds but also improves health.

Topical application of lemon is also extremely beneficial for the skin and hair, among other things. However, whenever we talk about the health benefits of lemon, we usually mean the properties of lemon juice. Therefore, you will probably be surprised to learn that the beautiful yellow lemon peel that we usually throw in the trash can, in fact, is also endowed with various healing properties. It contains certain enzymes that can help us lead much healthier lives.

Useful properties of lemon peel

Both fresh and dried peels of the lemon, known scientifically as citrus limonum, are used for a variety of cosmetic, culinary and medicinal purposes. Its use and topical application is a real salvation for many people suffering from ailments such as heart disease, acne, high cholesterol, scurvy, etc. It contains important enzymes, vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin P, calcium, potassium, fiber, limonene, citric acid, polyphenolic flavonoids and salvestrol Q40, making it essential for a healthy body and mind. Plus, thanks to the citrusy scent of lemon peel, it serves as an excellent ingredient in essential oils used to improve mood. Some of the main uses and benefits of lemon peel are listed below.

Reduces cholesterol levels

Eating lemon peels can help lower cholesterol levels in the body, which in turn improves heart health. The potassium present in this peel helps maintain blood pressure. Polyphenolic flavonoids lower levels of LDL cholesterol, which is considered the "bad" cholesterol. Vitamins C and P also help cleanse the blood vessels, thus preventing or minimizing the risk of developing conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetic heart disease.

Helps Fight Cancer

As mentioned, lemon peel contains compounds called salvestrol Q40 and limonene, which are known to fight cancer cells in the body. The flavonoids present in lemon peels are also known to be effective in inhibiting cancer cell division. Thus, the consumption of lemon peels is a preventive measure against the development of different types cancers, including breast cancer, colon cancer, and skin cancer. Research proves that drinking hot lemon peel tea is beneficial in preventing the development of cancer cells.

Improves bone health

Strong and healthy bones require large amounts of calcium, and lemon peel contains both calcium and vitamin C. Therefore, consumption of lemon peel is actually beneficial in preventing diseases such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, bone fractures, inflammatory polyarthritis and osteoarthritis.

Strengthens the immune system and improves digestion

Strengthening the immune system is essential for maintaining health and protecting the body from infection and disease, and yes, consuming lemon peels will certainly help with that! A strong immune system is the immune system that effectively fights off infections, and the essential nutrients present in yellow lemon peel, especially vitamin C, enable the body to resist infections and related illnesses. This is why consumption of lemon peel is considered effective in treating colds, flu, sore throat, and other infections of a similar nature. In addition, eating lemons with the peel is also beneficial for improving the health of the digestive system, as the peel contains dietary fiber to promote proper bowel movement.

Improves Oral Hygiene and Health

Vitamin C deficiency is known to lead to various dental and gum problems such as scurvy, bleeding gums and gingivitis. Lemon peel is rich in citric acid, which prevents the development of dental and gum-related problems. Therefore, instead of throwing away the peel, it is better to eat it. In fact, sailors used to take lemons with them on long voyages so as not to get scurvy due to vitamin C deficiency.

Neutralizes free radicals

Free radicals are unpaired electrons present in the cells of the body. They are responsible for development certain types cancer, heart disease and autoimmune diseases, as well as the aging process and the appearance of puffiness. Vitamin C, present in lemon peel, plays a very important role in neutralizing free radicals, thus preventing the occurrence of the above health problems. On the other hand, free radicals can also be linked to damage to blood vessels, which is why the vitamin C present in lemon can also be thought to be responsible for maintaining proper blood circulation.

Lemon Peel & Healthy Skin

Many skin problems like wrinkles, pigmentation, acne, dark spots, etc. are considered signs of the aging process, and yes, free radicals play a very important role in this process. Lemon peel is a natural source of vitamin C and citric acid, which help cleanse the blood vessels in the body and remove all the impurities present in skin cells. It improves skin health.

Lemon peel is also a great remedy for acne and pimples as it contains antioxidants that help detoxify the skin.

There are many different lemon peel face powders on the market that can be very beneficial, however eating this peel is the best option... Read on for a method by which you can use lemon peel topically.

Take a lemon, cut it in half and squeeze the juice into a cup. Then cut the peel into small pieces and mix with the juice. Transfer the mixture to a bottle and store in a cool, dry place. Apply the mixture to your face the next morning. If desired, you can add a teaspoon of honey to the mixture. Leave the mixture on your face for about 5-6 minutes and then wash off with plain or rose water. Don't put anything on your face for the next 30 minutes. This remedy is known to be extremely helpful in treating skin problems, especially acne.

Accelerates Metabolism and Promotes Weight Loss

Lemon peel contains a compound called pectin, which can help promote weight loss. Pectin has sticky, gelling properties that prevent the body from absorbing too much sugar, which in turn helps maintain weight. Therefore, the next time you drink warm water with lemon juice, don't forget the rind.

Other beneficial properties

The benefits of consuming lemon peel are not limited to those mentioned above. Lemon peel also contains various important nutrients that can help promote nail growth, cleanse the liver, improve circulation, fight ear infections, capillary fragility, varicose veins, muscle contractions, stroke, and more.

Caveats

We have covered all the possible benefits of using lemon peel. While lemon peel is safe, there are a few things to keep in mind when using it.

Thorough wash

You need to wash the lemon peel very thoroughly before consuming it. This is important because in the process of growing lemons, they are sprayed with various pesticides and insecticides that can remain on the peel. In addition, to deliver lemons to various locations, they are coated with a special wax substance in order to prevent damage to their rind. This waxy substance is obtained using formulations of animal or vegetable origin. Therefore, it is best to consume lemon peels from lemons grown in your own backyard or organic lemons.

Crystallization

Another problem that arises when it comes to consuming lemon peel is the significant amount of oxalate it contains. Oxalates are also found in humans and animals. However, research shows that when there is an increased concentration of these substances in the body, crystallization problems, such as the formation of kidney and gallbladder stones, can occur. This is why people who are already dealing with similar problems should avoid consuming lemon peels. To reap the benefits of lemon peel, it's important to include it as a significant part of your diet.

Every 100 grams of lemon peel contains about 160 milligrams of potassium, 134 milligrams of calcium, 129 milligrams of vitamin C, and about 10.6 grams of fiber. In addition, lemon peel contains over 44 types of flavone glycosides and other plant acids and nutrients that make it so valuable.

Research has also linked the use of lemon peel to bleeding control. It is considered safe to consume even during pregnancy or lactation. However, since pregnancy is a very responsible condition, it is still better to consult a doctor regarding the use of lemon peels. So drink lemon tea, sip on refreshing lemonade, and be healthy. We hope you are not throwing away the lemon skin!

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