In the cold season, citrus fruits are a priority in the menu because they contain many vitamins and minerals. But not many people know that citrus peels also have many health benefits.

A common habit of many people is that after eating citrus fruits, we throw away the peels, while citrus peels have many health benefits. The reason is because citrus peels contain phytochemicals and vitamin C, bioflavonoids, liminene and potassium… which are essential for the body.

1. Use citrus peels for healthy and smooth skin

We all know the wonderful benefits that citrus fruits bring to the skin. Usually, after extracting juice from citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges, most of us tend to throw away the peels. Those peels are no less beneficial than the fruit itself.

Citrus peels have many health benefits.

Citrus peels not only help to get healthy and smooth skin but also brighten the skin tone, reduce signs of aging and treat acne. This is due to the rich amount of vitamin C, antioxidants and minerals in citrus peels. Citrus peels are used to serve many skin care purposes, if used properly. You can use citrus peels as masks, scrubs… by making your own from dried orange peels or using fresh orange or lemon peels extracted from the fruit. Orange peels have great exfoliating effects when mixed with sugar and olive oil.

Similarly, lemon or orange peels can be used as a facial scrub once every two weeks. Or grind the lemon peels and add them to black or green tea to help brighten your skin from the inside out.

2. Reduces cholesterol effectively

The process of choosing citrus peels in your daily diet will help your body reduce cholesterol levels. The reason is that orange and tangerine peels contain the plant pigment hesperidin. This is a bioflavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. According to some studies in the US, hesperidin has the effect of reducing cholesterol and increasing blood pressure. Orange and tangerine peels also contain polymethoxylated flavones that contribute to supporting a healthy heart.

3. Reduce inflammation and allergies

In the peel of each orange and tangerine, there are anti-inflammatory properties similar to indomethacin – a substance commonly used to reduce fever, relieve pain and fight inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis.

Some compounds in orange and tangerine peels can prevent the release of histamine – a chemical that causes allergies. To limit the risk of allergies, you can take dried orange and tangerine peels to eat or make tea.

4. Strengthen resistance

Containing high levels of vitamin C, when consumed, it will help strengthen the immune system, fight colds, coughs, flu… Therefore, many people often dry orange and tangerine peels to eat or process into drinks…

5. Improve digestion

Citrus peels help the digestive system work effectively. In addition, the limonene compound in the peels of these fruits is effective in controlling heartburn. Therefore, people with gastritis or indigestion can eat more citrus peels in each meal to effectively overcome it.

According to Master, Doctor Hoang Khanh Toan (former Head of the Department of Oriental Medicine, Hospital 108), the peels of fruits such as oranges, lemons, kumquats, especially tangerine peels can cure many diseases such as bloating, loss of appetite, stomachache, vomiting…

The peel of each orange or tangerine is often rich in fiber called insoluble polysaccharides such as tannins, hemi-cellulose and pectin. These substances will help regulate the intestines, avoid constipation, improve common digestive disorders such as: indigestion, bloating, flatulence, irritable bowel syndrome, belching…

6. Reduce headache pain

When you have a headache, boil citrus peels and then use this water to steam your face. The pleasant scent of orange and tangerine peels will create a more comfortable feeling, reduce headaches, and make your mind more comfortable and alert.