Approaching the fruit shop, what you see are large piles of oranges. The oranges are now fully ripe and very sweet. People who like to eat oranges can eat a little more appropriately. After eating the oranges, just throw away the peels? That would be a pity. These orange peels can be used for bathing, washing hair, and foot soaks. They also have a pleasant fragrance!
Orange peels have a fragrant aroma and are effective in sterilizing, dispelling wind and cold, moisturizing, aiding sleep, and eliminating odors. When used for hair washing and bathing, they can not only remove dirt from the skin but also moisturize it and relieve fatigue.
In autumn and winter, the climate is dry, and the skin can easily lose moisture, becoming rough and less elastic. Orange peels are rich in organic acids, vitamin C, and essential oil components. When soaked in hot water, these substances dissolve. During bathing, they penetrate the skin through open pores, stimulating the capillaries under the epidermis and promoting metabolism. Moreover, these components form a film on the skin's surface, preventing moisture evaporation and leaving the skin smooth and delicate. Soaking feet with orange peels also has a warming effect in autumn and winter, making it especially suitable for people with a cold constitution who are sensitive to cold. It is also effective for treating the early stages of a cold. Orange peels can also protect hair; hair becomes smooth and soft after washing. Soaking feet with orange peels can improve sleep and help one fall into a sweet slumber. However, orange peels are pungent and warm in nature. People with skin allergies or symptoms such as fever, dry mouth, constipation, and yellow urine should use them with caution.
It should be noted that you should not use fresh orange peels directly for bathing, as their surface may be contaminated with pesticides and preservatives, which could irritate the skin. The orange peels need to be processed first. Rinse off the surface dirt with clean water, then soak them in water that is about 5 cm deep for at least 30 minutes. Next, soak them in alkaline water (500 ml of water with 5-10 grams of edible alkali) for 5-15 minutes, or in rice washing water for about 1 hour. Finally, rinse them clean with water and let them dry in a ventilated, cool place for a week. Before bathing, place the orange peels in a cloth bag, then put them in warm water to enjoy a fragrant and refreshing orange peel bath.
Orange peels that have been stored for more than a year become the traditional Chinese medicine "dried tangerine peel" (Chenpi). It has the effects of regulating qi, harmonizing the middle jiao, and drying dampness to resolve phlegm. It can be used to treat indigestion, abdominal bloating, and phlegm-damp cough caused by qi stagnation in the spleen and stomach. When used to make tea, dried tangerine peel should be used, as it contains much less volatile oil than fresh peel and will not irritate the gastrointestinal tract.
Never eat fresh orange peels.
Never use fresh orange peels. We know that orange peels and dried tangerine peel (Chenpi) are the same thing and have great medicinal value. Therefore, many people like to collect the peels they peel and use them to make tea. Experts point out that fresh orange peels should not be eaten.
Experts explain that fresh orange peels must be dried and processed to become Chenpi. The longer the peel is aged, the better it is, and it is generally best to use it after being stored for a year. As a common traditional Chinese medicine for regulating qi, strengthening the stomach, and resolving phlegm, using dried tangerine peel to make tea can indeed clear heat and resolve phlegm. However, using fresh orange peels is different. Because fresh peels contain a high amount of volatile oil, they can easily irritate the digestive tract, leading to digestive dysfunction.
In addition, fresh orange peels can irritate the stomach, possibly because the peel's surface is attached to pesticides or preservatives, and simple washing and sun-drying may not have completely removed these harmful substances. Therefore, it is best not to use fresh orange peels to make tea or soak in wine. When making your own dried tangerine peel, be careful not to use peels that have mold on the surface.
Use fresh orange peels only after they have been made into dried tangerine peel (Chenpi). This not only makes them more effective but also avoids the harm of pesticides to human health. Dried tangerine peel can not only be used for medicinal cuisine but also for daily soups. It is also very effective for health preservation when used for bathing and foot soaks.