Have you been wondering about the benefits of lemon peel? Lemon has numerous benefits as well as lemon peel. Lemon peels are packed with vitamin C, pectin, calcium, potassium, fiber, alpha hydroxy acids, and flavonoids such as D-limonene. Although the juice and pulp of lemon are widely used, lemon peels actually have a higher concentration of nutrients. In this article, we’ll look at lemon peel benefits as well as the numerous uses of lemon peel. 

What Are Lemons?

Lemons are a citrus fruit with a vivid yellow color. Due to its high citric acid content, it has a distinctly sour flavor. Its scientific name is Citrus limon, and it belongs to the Rutaceae family of flowering plants. 

Lemons are a common addition to meals, desserts, and beverages because of their distinctive flavor. The majority of a lemon can be used in cleaning and cooking.

The lemon tree is a tropical and subtropical plant that can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet. The majority are grown in Mediterranean nations, including California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida in the United States. They are also grown in China, India, Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil. Fresh lemons are always available in supermarkets.

What is the nutritional value of lemon peels?

Lemon peels are rich in alpha hydroxy acids, fiber, calcium, potassium, pectin, vitamin C, and flavonoids like D-limonene. 

Although lemon juice and pulp are frequently consumed, lemon peels contain a higher amount of nutrients. 

Alpha hydroxy acids, fiber, calcium, potassium, pectin, vitamin C, and flavonoids like D-limonene are all abundant in lemon peels. Lemon peel contains bioactive chemicals, according to studies, which have a number of positive health effects.

Nutrients in 100 grams of lemon peel

Nutrient	Amount
Water	81.6 grams
Calories	47 kcal
Protein	1.5 grams
Fat	0.3 grams
Carbohydrates	16 grams
Fiber	10.6 grams
Sugar	4.17 grams
Calcium	134 mg
Iron	0.8 mg
Magnesium	15 mg
Phosphorus	12 mg
Potassium	160 mg
Sodium	6 mg
Zinc	0.25 mg
Copper	0.092 mg
Selenium	0.7 mcg
Vitamin C	129 mg
Thiamin	0.06 mg
Riboflavin	0.08 mg
Niacin	0.4 mg
Pantothenic acid	0.319 mg
Vitamin B6	0.172 mg
Folate	13 mcg
Vitamin A	50 IU
Vitamin E	0.25 mg

Lemon peel Benefits

Lemon peel is blessed with many natural health benefits, and no part of them should go to waste. Here are the major benefits of using the lemon peel.

Improves Bone Health 

Lemon peels have significant levels of calcium and vitamin c, both of which serve to maintain and enhance bone health, therefore they can aid in enhancing bone health. Regular use can also aid in avoiding rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and other bone illnesses including osteoporosis. 

High in antioxidants 

Vitamin C and D-limonene, two antioxidants found in abundance in lemon peels that assist your body combat free radicals and cellular damage. Studies have demonstrated a relationship between regular antioxidant intake and a reduced risk of type II diabetes and heart disease. D-limonene also helps to increase the activity of an enzyme that fights oxidative stress, which is connected to tissue damage and faster aging.

Boost your immune system

Lemon peel extract’s flavonoid and vitamin C levels may help your immune system. Fish exposed to dehydrated lemon peel for 15 days demonstrated enhanced immunological responses.  A study of 82 research also revealed that taking 1-2 grams of vitamin C daily can cut the severity and length of the common cold by 8% for adults and 14% for kids.  Additionally, vitamin C builds up in phagocytes, a type of cell that consumes dangerous substances.

Promote heart health

Heart disease is the biggest cause of death in the United States, and risk factors for it include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity.

Flavonoids, vitamin C, and pectin, the primary fiber in lemon peel, are among the substances that may lower your risk, according to research. 

According to a study of 14 research including 344,488 participants, an increase of 10 mg of flavonoids daily lowered the risk of heart disease by 5%. 

In a research on obese mice, D-limonene also reduced blood sugar, triglyceride, and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while raising HDL (good) cholesterol. 

According to a 4-week research involving 60 overweight youngsters, adding lemon powder—which contains the peel—to diets lowered blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol.  The pectin in lemon peels may also reduce cholesterol levels by increasing the excretion of bile acids, which are produced by your liver and bind to cholesterol. 

Maintains Oral Hygiene and Health

Lemon peels are fantastic for keeping your mouth healthy. Gum disease, scurvy, and gingivitis are just a few dental issues that can be brought on by a vitamin D deficit. Citric acid, which is abundant in lemon peel, can aid in the treatment of a number of issues relating to the teeth and gums. 

Lemon peel’s antibacterial characteristics aid in preventing the development of bacteria that can result in gum infections and cavities in the teeth. 

Reduces the Risk of Cancer

Lemon peels are a useful and all-natural strategy to prevent cancer because they contain cleansing capabilities. Lemon peel has been linked to both cancer prevention and treatment because of its flavonoid composition, which includes salvestrol Q40 and limonene. Animal studies have demonstrated that d-limonene increases the death rate of cancer cells and reduces the proliferation of stomach cancer cells.

However, it is not a sure-shot way to prevent cancer, it is more of a precautionary measure.

Uses Of Lemon Peels

Lemon peel can be incorporated into your skin and hair care regimen. It can also be used to keep your house sparkling clean and fresh.

Skin Brightening Body Scrub

What You Need

• A handful of lemon peels
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Olive oil

Process

• Grind the lemon peels into a paste.
• Mix the sugar with the lemon peel pastes
• Add olive oil according to your skin type. Dry skin needs more hydration, hence more olive oil.
• Massage on wet skin in gentle circular motions to exfoliate the dead skin cells.
• Rinse it off with water.
• Use this scrub no more than once a week as it could lead to excess exfoliation and dryness.

Scrub To Soften Dry Elbows

What You Need

• handful of lemon peels
• 1/2 cup sugar OR baking powder

Process

• Dunk the lemon peels in baking soda or sugar
• Scrub your elbows or any rough areas of the body.

Lemon Peel Exfoliating Face Mask

What You Need

• Lemon peel powder
• 2 tablespoons rice flour
• Milk

Process

• Mix the rice flour, a pinch of lemon peel powder, and cold milk until you get a thick paste.
• Spread the paste evenly on wet skin.
• Wash your face before the mask dries completely so it does not strip away your skin’s natural oils and moisture.

Lemon Peel Spot Treatment

Lemon peel contains alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) that exfoliate your skin.

What You Need

• Fresh lemon peels
• Water

Process

• Grind the lemon peels and mix them in water to make a thick paste.
• Apply the paste on age spots or areas of pigmentation and leave it on for an hour.
• Wash it off with water.

Lemon Peel Hair Lightener

The citric acid in lemon peel has a bleaching effect, so it can be used as a hair lightener.

What You Need

• 2 cups of lemon peels
• Water
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil

Process

• Boil the lemon peels in water for an hour.
• Strain out the water in a bowl.
• Mix coconut oil in the lemon peel water.
• Apply this mixture evenly to your hair and leave it on for an hour.
• Wash it off with shampoo and condition your hair.

Lemon Peel For Cracked Feet

What You Need

• 1 cup lemon peels (dried)
• Petroleum jelly
• Socks

Process

• Grate the lemon peels into a powder.
• Mix with the petroleum jelly to make a paste.
• Apply this paste on your feet.
• Put on socks and leave the paste on overnight.

Lemon Peel For Fungal Infection On Feet

What You Need

• 3 cups fresh lemon peels
• 6-7 cups of water
• Milk/olive oil/Epsom salt/essential oils of your choice

Process

• Boil the lemon peels in water for 20-30 minutes.
• Strain the water into a bowl.
• You can customize the rest of the ingredients according to your requirements.
• Mix in milk, olive oil, Epsom salt, or essential oils of your choice.
• Use this mixture as a foot bath for 30 minutes.
• Rinse and moisturize your feet.

Lemon Peel Nail Whitener

Using lemon peel on nails can remove discoloration.

What You Need

• A handful of lemon peels
• Water

Process

• Grind the lemon peels into a paste.
• Apply the paste to your nails and leave it on for a few minutes.
• Wash it off with water.

Uses Of Lemon Peel For Your Home

Lemon peel likewise has many applications as a cosmetic or household item. Some of its most popular uses include:

Lemon Peel All-Purpose Cleaner

A non-toxic solution for cleaning and sanitizing your home is lemon peel. Lemon peel contains strong chemicals that can be used as cleaners to get rid of tough stains like mineral deposits on kettle rings or coffee/tea stains on cups. Using lemon peel to make a DIY cleaner has the added bonus of having a nice citrus aroma. Boiling lemon peel water and adding vinegar or baking soda to it increases its cleaning power. 

Lemon Peel Deodorizer

Lemon peels can be applied to refrigerator or trash can odors to absorb them. The microwave can be cleaned and deodorized by placing a few lemon peels in water and microwaving. 

A cutting board can be sanitized by being scrubbed with coarse rock salt and shredded lemon peel and keep it smelling fresh.

Lemon Peel Potpourri

A homemade citrus-scented potpourri can be prepared using lemon peel, dried flowers, and essential oils. This refreshing, all-natural room freshener can be prepared at home easily with almost no extra cost as it uses lemon peels that would most likely have been discarded.

Lemon Peel Insect Repellent

To deter vermin like ants and cockroaches, lemon peels can be strategically put throughout the home and kitchen. Although little is known about the mechanism underlying this phenomenon, mosquitoes in particular do not appreciate the scent of lemons or its derivatives, such as lemon peels. Lemon juice applied directly to the skin might be too abrasive. Lemon peel essential oil is more potent and effective at warding off bothersome insects. Pests can be easily and affordably controlled by using lemon peels.

Best Ways To Eat Lemon Peels

Lemon peel can be eaten or added to other foods for your consumption. Here are the ways to eat lemon peel. 

Culinary Uses Of Lemon Peel

Lemon zest, also known as grated lemon peel, is frequently used to flavor cuisine, including soups, salads, flavored yogurt, and sauces. 

Lemon peel powder, which may be added to marinades or used as a flavor to make dishes like lemon pepper fish and lemon pepper chicken, is made by grating frozen lemons. To give meals like noodles or spaghetti a zesty flavor, lemon peel can be incorporated into cooking lipids like olive oil or butter. 

Additionally, it can be used to make baked items like lemon meringue pie and eaten as candied lemon peels.

How To Make Lemon Peel Water

To get the health benefits of lemon peels, boil them in water and sip this delicious and healthy drink.

How To Prepare Lemon Peel Tea

Add lemon peel powder to boiling hot water. Mix in a tea powder or herbal mix of your choice. Adding ginger Kofto this concoction makes for a delicious beverage.