The dried peel of citrus fruits is a traditional Chinese medicine, commonly known as aged tangerine peel. Among these, the peel from winter tangerines, when sun-dried, is considered of superior quality. Wang Sujun, an associate chief physician in the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Third People's Hospital of Zhengzhou, explains that the volatile oil in tangerine peel can help alleviate fatigue. When used in a bath, the nutrients released by the peel can penetrate the skin as pores open, stimulating capillaries, accelerating blood circulation, and moisturizing the skin.
Citrus baths also provide a warming effect in winter, helping the body stay warm and making them suitable for individuals with a colder constitution. Tangerine peel is also beneficial for hair; washing hair with it leaves it smooth and soft.
Wang Sujun advises that you should first dry the tangerine peels and store them. Before a bath, boil the peels in rice wine, then discard the solids. Place the remaining peels in an old nylon stocking and add it to the bathwater. You can also use the stocking filled with peels as a massage pouch for your entire body. Reminder:
Do not use fresh tangerine peels for bathing, as their surfaces may be contaminated with pesticides and preservatives. Individuals with sensitive skin should avoid using tangerine peels for bathing.