When consuming fruit and vegetable peels, it is best to choose organic produce. If that is not possible, green food certified options are also acceptable. If neither is available, freshness should be the standard. When washing, soak in warm water for 1-2 minutes and scrub with a soft brush. If necessary, you can also blanch them in hot water. It is not recommended to use detergents to wash fruits and vegetables, as detergents are chemical substances themselves and may cause secondary pollution.
1. Apple Peel Antioxidant
Apple peel is rich in dietary fiber, which aids digestion. Nearly half of the vitamin C in an apple is found in the area just beneath the skin. Studies have shown that apple peel has stronger antioxidant properties than the flesh, even higher than many other fruits and vegetables. Many manufacturers are already extracting active substances from apple peels to develop functional foods.
It has an astringent effect. Decocting it or making tea with it can treat excessive stomach acid and phlegm. Drying it, grinding it into a powder, and taking it on an empty stomach (2-3 times daily) has certain therapeutic effects for chronic diarrhea, neurotic colitis, and hypertension. Additionally, mashing a handful of fresh apple peel into a paste and applying it to a cloth to scrub bathtubs, washbasins, and toilets can restore their original shine.
2. Pear Peel Clears the Mind and Moisturizes the Lungs
Pear peel is a traditional Chinese medicine with high medicinal value, capable of clearing the mind, moisturizing the lungs, reducing internal heat, and promoting fluid production. Washing, chopping, and stewing pear peel with rock sugar can treat coughs. Adding some pear peel when making homemade pickles is also recommended.
3. Grape Peel Lowers Blood Lipids
Grape peel contains more resveratrol than the flesh and seeds of grapes, and has effects such as lowering blood lipids, preventing thrombosis, preventing arteriosclerosis, and enhancing immunity. The flavonoids in purple grape peel, in particular, also have the effect of lowering blood pressure. Grape peel is also rich in cellulose, pectin, and iron. Research has begun on using grape peel to process foods for treating high cholesterol and diabetes.
4. Orange Peel Stimulates Appetite and Reduces Phlegm
Orange peel is rich in various nutrients such as vitamin C, carotene, and protein, and can be used to make many delicious dishes. Orange peel congee is fragrant and delicious, and can also treat chest and abdominal bloating or excessive phlegm and cough. Adding a few pieces of orange peel to meat broth can make the broth tastier and reduce greasiness. Soaking orange peel in water or tea results in a refreshing flavor that can stimulate appetite, relieve flatulence, and refresh the mind. Soaking orange peel in wine has the effect of clearing the lungs and reducing phlegm. Lemon peel is similar.
Steamed orange peel with sugar water can regulate qi, clear the lungs, remove dampness, and relieve cough and reduce phlegm. Additionally, orange peel contains alkaline substances; using it with a little salt can wipe away stains from ceramic, enamel, and aluminum/iron cookware and tableware. Orange peel also contains a significant amount of aromatic substances; placing a small amount in the refrigerator can eliminate odors. Adding a bit of orange peel to homemade organic fertilizer can prevent the fertilizer liquid from smelling bad.
5. Watermelon Peel Clears Heat and Relieves Summer Heat
Watermelon peel is rich in sugars, minerals, and vitamins, and has effects such as clearing heat and relieving summer heat, purging fire and eliminating vexation, and lowering blood pressure. It can be eaten as a cold salad, stir-fried with meat, or made into soup.
The effects of watermelon peel are superior to the flesh. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the peel is called "Xigua Cuiyi" (watermelon green skin) and has effects such as clearing heat and relieving summer heat, purging fire and eliminating vexation, and lowering blood pressure. It also has certain therapeutic effects for anemia, dry throat, chapped lips, and patients with cystitis, ascites due to liver cirrhosis, and nephritis. Furthermore, because watermelon peel is rich in vitamins C and E, rubbing it on the skin or applying it as a paste for 10-15 minutes before washing it off has the effect of nourishing, softening, and beautifying the skin, and preventing and treating heat rashes and boils.