21 Reasons to Get Orange Peel into Your Diet!

by Pam Broekemeier | Mar 16, 2021 | Health, Herbal Remdies, Herbs in Your Diet, Medicinal Weeds, Recipes

“An anthology is like all the plums and orange peel picked out a cake.” Walter Raleigh

Orange Peels…

Eat orange peels?

Now most of us will drink orange juice or eat the inside slices of an orange. But the peel? Too bitter!

But before tossing that orange peel into the garbage, continue reading and be amazed!

The peel has so much to offer us in terms of medicinal properties and keeping us healthy. It has been used for thousands of years to treat different ailments.

Orange peel contains a large amount of Vitamin C and is a powerful antioxidant.

So lets learn a bit about how orange peel is good for us, make a cup of orange peel coffee, look at ways to get orange peel into your diet, and lastly, check out other ways to use up those orange peels.

In Need of Organic Orange Peels?

You can save the peels from organic oranges you purchased and dry them yourself. Easy peasy.

Or you can purchase them from Mountain Rose Herbs, who stand for organics, fair trade, sustainability and more.

Why Orange Peel is Good For You

Orange peel, along with other citrus fruits, have been used for thousands of years as medicine.

It contains flavanoids, Vitamins A, C, B5 and B6, calcium, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, folate and dietary fiber.

Lets look at the 21 ways orange peel has been used over the years to help with overall health and how you can benefit.

Digestion

1. Diarrhea

2. Indigestion

3. Constipation

4. Cleansing

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the orange peel has been used for hundreds of years to help with gas, bloating and other digestive issues.

The orange peel contains pectin, which is a beneficial carbohydrate that the good bacteria in your gut feed off of.

Cold & Flu Season

5. Colds

6. Coughs

Because of its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, orange peel is a great for warding off cough and colds. It helps in getting excess phlegm out of the lungs.

Weight

7. Weight Loss

8. Obesity

9. Athletic Performance

A team of scientists in Taiwan researced the effects of four different orange peel varities, and found that they remarkably reduced the production and accumulation of triglycerides in fat cells.

Cholesterol

10. Cholesterol

When taking in large amounts of orange and orange peel, the HDL increases, while the LDL decreases, which is great for those with high cholesterol.

Blood Pressure

11. High Blood Pressure

The potassium in orange peel plays a huge role in lowering the risk of high blood pressure.

Mood

12. Anxiety

13. Stress

14. Hypertension

15. Depression

Studies are now showing that by just inhaling the aroma of orange and orange peel, can have an uplifting effect on people.

Joint Pain

16. Arthritis

17. Rheumatism

Orange peel contains powerful anti-inflammatory agents that help with swelling, redness and inflammation.

Orange Peel Also Helps With:

18. Asthma

19. Oral Health

20. Hangovers

21. Poor Circulation

So how can you get more orange peel into your diet? Let’s start with a cup of Orange Peel Coffee and then look at more ways to use those peels.

Orange Peel Coffee

This coffee recipe is not only easy to make, but so good to drink!

Coffee has always been associated with caffeine and a morning pick-me-up. This cup of freshness is much more.

Smelling the citrus aroma while the orange peel is steeping in the hot coffee is just up-lifting.

Are you ready for some?

Here is the recipe for Orange Peel Coffee. I’ve taken it from HERE and adapted it to my tastings. That’s what makes this recipe so wonderful! You can adjust it to your likings.

Orange Peel Coffee

Ingredients:

Your favorite hot coffee
1/8 of an organic orange peel
Heavy cream, cold (I use about 1/4 cup)
Cinnamon or nutmeg

Directions:

Pour hot coffee into your favorite mug.
Add the orange peel and steep for 5 minutes.
Shake the heavy cream in a sealed container until it starts to thicken.
When the steeping is done, remove the orange peel from the coffee.
Pour cream slowly into the coffee.
Sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg on top if desired
Enjoy!

Enjoy my fun little video below on making Orange Peel Coffee!

More Ways to Get Orange Peel Into Your Diet

Make a tea
Candied Orange Peel
Zest – for use in baking, toppings, etc.
Orange Peel in Vinegar for use on salads
Olive Oil Infused with Orange Peel
Orange Peel Bread

Other Uses for Orange Peel

Besides eating orange peel, there are a number of other uses for orange peel, so don’t throw it out! Unless it’s into the compost pile.

Here is a list of uses:

DIY Orange Peel Cleaner – just orange peel and vinager!
Orange Peel Home Scent – boil orange peels and some cinnamon in water for a wonderful aroma.
Orange Peel Garbage Disposal Cleaners – get rid of that nasty odor!
Protect the plants from your cat – rub the oils from the orange peel onto the leaves of your plants to stop cats from chewing on its leaves.
Save the brown sugar – put a 3″ strip of orange peel in with your brown sugar to prevent it from getting hard.
Insect repellent – put some orange peel and water in a spray bottle. Mosquitoes and roaches can’t stand orange oil.