Orange Peel Benefits and Uses

Do you ever feel bad throwing away the peels from the oranges that your kids eat as snacks? I feel like I’m wasting food when I toss the peels – especially when they are Organic Oranges.

If you answered “yes” that you feel bad tossing the peels, then I’m going to tell you all about how you can start saving your orange peels and begin using them in your everyday life for your health.

And if you answered “no” and throwing away orange peels doesn’t bother you…well maybe you will learn all about why you should be keeping them anyway, and maybe you’ll never look at an orange peel the same way again!

A Brief History of Orange Peel

For thousands of years, citrus peels have been regarded as potent healing medicine. Some even believe that the orange peel has more benefits than the actual flesh of the orange!

The ancient Chinese would use the rinds of two different kinds of oranges; the bitter orange and the Mandarin orange. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the peels were used primarily for digestive complaints of distention and pain that lay specifically under the ribcage. It was also used for overall digestive health, as well as to promote good liver function.

Lucky for us, the common sweet oranges we eat today contain many of the same benefits and properties in their peels as the orange peels used in ancient cultures.

Properties in the Orange Peel

The medicinal properties of the orange peel is said to come primarily from its main volatile oil; D-Limonene. This essential oil contains antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The peel also contains flavonoids, phytonutrients, and plenty of Vitamin C.

D-Limonene neutralizes and balances gastric acid (stomach acid) and helps promote normal digestive functioning. This makes it excellent for relieving heartburn and potentially even GERD.

Orange Peel also contains powerful antimicrobial properties and has been shown in some studies to prevent the build-up of certain types of pathogenic bacteria in the mouth and oral microbiome. Isn’t that fascinating?

It’s also been shown in one study to help whiten teeth by removing smoking stains on them.

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How to Dry Your Orange Peels

So when I buy a bag of organic oranges, I typically save all of my peels in a jar in the fridge during the week or so that it takes us to eat all of the oranges. I pull out an orange, wash it, peel it, put the peels in the fridge, and repeat until we’ve eaten all the oranges (5 days or so).

Once I’m ready to use my peels, I pull the jar out and spread the peels on the racks of my dehydrator. I put the dehydrator on low and let it run for 5-7 hours, depending on the thickness of my peels.

You will know the peels are done when they easily break in half, but still retain their vibrant orange color.

I have read that you can also do this in the oven, although I have not done it myself. Set the oven to the lowest setting possible (150-200) and spread the orange peels on a baking sheet or stone. Cook for 2 hours or so, depending on the size and thickness of your peels.

Again, you will know the peels are done when they easily break in half but still retain their vibrant orange color.

After you have dried your peels, you can break them into small pieces and store them in a glass jar. Keep in a dark place for 1-2 years.

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How to Actually Use the Orange Peels

In tea – As we saw above, one of the primary orange peel benefits is its effect on digestion. I love adding some orange peel into my loose leaf chai tea, but you can add it to any loose leaf tea (or coffee) that you want.

If you don’t regularly make loose leaf tea, you could just pour some hot water over a tsp of orange peel, let it steep for 10 minutes, and drink that. Depending on your peel, it may be bitter (which is part of the reason that it helps digestion). Drink before or after a meal and sweeten with honey if you desire.

You could also use the plain orange peel tea (no honey) as a mouthwash a few times per week to help prevent build up of pathogenic bacteria in the mouth.

Homemade Cleaner – You can also make your own citrus cleaner using orange peels. Simply get a jar and fill it about halfway with dried peels. Cover the peels in vinegar and allow to sit and macerate for 4-6 weeks. If using a metal lid, put a piece of parchment paper between the vinegar and lid to prevent rust. After it’s finished macerating for a month or so, strain the peels from the vinegar. Add the citrus vinegar solution to water and put in a spray bottle and use it for toxic-free cleaning.

Grind into powder – After your peels are dehydrated, you can put them into a grinder and blend them into a fine powder. This powder can be used for an extra punch of vitamin C when you feel a cold coming on. It can also be adding to scrubs and homemade body care products.

Homemade Potpourri – Put a little water to a saucepan and add in some orange peels, cinnamon sticks/powder, ginger, cloves, etc and simmer on the stove for a nice warming smell to take over your kitchen!

Are you excited that you don’t have to waste your orange peels anymore? Now you have lots of different ideas on how to use them in your home and medicinally for your family’s health!