Behold, the amazing lemon peel!

When life gives you lemons, make lemon powder! Really! Lemon peels have so many healthy, time-tested uses that it just blows the mind! Aside from being really healthy, it’s awesome when you come across something that also has “no waste” potential!

I love lemons! I always have a few in the fridge and start getting nervous when I’m running low. So, when a friend of mine told me to help myself to her lemon tree, I did just that! By the way, did you know that two dozen large lemons produces about 5 cups of juice! That’s the equivalent of two and a half bottles of store-bought lemon juice. Talk about a money saver!

My love for lemons aside, you probably know a gazillion ways to use lemons in cooking. But, here are a few of my favorite uses for lemons that don’t involve cooking!

With so many freshly squeezed lemons, it seemed a waste to just toss them in the trash. So, I went on a hunt for other ways to use the peel. In the process, I learned a lot about how healthy this little fruit really is. Keep reading to learn more about the amazing lemon!

 

What makes lemon peel so healthy?

Lemon (and lime) peel contains small amounts of calcium, potassium and magnesium. It also contains D-Limonene, which gives it that wonderful aroma. That may be the main reason this fruit is so healthy! Additionally, lemon peel has antibacterial properties and is high in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight cellular damage in the body. Also, studies show that lemon peel has antimicrobial and antifungal properties which can help fight certain fungal and skin infections. Because of its high vitamin C content, it’s also a great boost to the immune system.

So…lemon peel can help cure cancer?

Ummm…no! Test tube studies have been done that indicate lemon peel can help fight stomach cancer. However, studies have not been done on humans. Research does show that the vitamin C, flavonoids and pectin in lemon peels can help reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity. Also, D-Limonene can help lower blood sugar levels, triglycerides, LDL (bad cholesterol) and help increase HDL (good cholesterol).

Can you eat lemon peel?

The FDA has declared lemon peel safe for human consumption but you’ll want to fancy it up a little first. One of my favorite snacks is Candied Lemon Peel. It harkens back to “the old days” in that it’s been around awhile. It’s a bit of a process but definitely soothes the sweet tooth!  I like The Daring Gourmet version of this old-fashioned snack. The finished candy is so pretty and perfect for gift-giving as well. I store my candied lemon peel in a freezer bag. When I have a craving I just pull out a piece (or two).  It’s. So. Good!

How do you prepare lemon peel?

If you purchased from a grocery store and the lemons are not organic, you’ll want to make sure they’re clean before you use them. If you purchased organic lemons or happen to grow your own, this shouldn’t be an issue. Place whole lemons in a sink of water and let soak for about 20-30 minutes. Add a splash of white vinegar to the water. This will help remove any bacteria. Give the lemons a good scrub under warm running water. This will remove any remaining dirt and wax coating. Once dry, you can peel, zest, juice…or whatever!

How to prepare lemon zest:

Before cutting the lemon, use a zester or a grater to create tiny shavings. These shavings can be used in baked goods, salads, yogurt, soups, drinks, dressings and marinades. Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spread the lemon zest thinly over the paper. Freeze and then store in a freezer bag until ready to use. Freezing beforehand keeps the zest from becoming a frozen glob and thus, easier to measure when you’re ready to use it.

As for the now “naked” lemon you just grated, juice it now or freeze it whole for later use. The juice can be poured into ice cube trays. Once frozen, store the lemon cubes in a freezer bag for up to six months. What remains after zesting and juicing can be used to make an All Natural Citrus Cleaner. Now that is really using every bit of the fruit! Our ancestors would be so proud!

 

 

How to prepare fresh lemon peels:

There are two ways you can prepare lemon peels. First, cut the lemon in half and juice it. Clean the peel of the bitter white pith. Once cleaned, the peels can be frozen for later use. The other option is to thinly peel the lemons using a sharp knife or peeler prior to halving. Be careful not to peel too deeply. You want to avoid cutting into the white pith underneath. Like the zest, you can spread the thin strips of lemon peel on a cookie sheet and freeze for later use. Or, place them into a dehydrator and dry until brittle.

What can fresh lemon peel be used for?

I’ve been enjoying a daily cup of lemon water for awhile now. Aside from freezing the peels until I’m ready to make my natural citrus cleaner, I felt there was more I could do besides tossing them in the trash. So I did some research and came up with a few suggestions:

– Fresh lemon peels can be used in a host of cleaning applications and for stain removal. One way is to place a few pieces of chopped lemon peel in a stained coffee cup and add hot water. Let sit for awhile and then rinse. No more stains!

– Sprinkle coarse salt on a plastic cutting board and scrub with half of a squeezed lemon. Let sit for a few minutes before rinsing. The cutting board will be odor and stain free!

– Use a freshly juiced lemon to clean your chrome faucet and remove water deposits. You can also clean your vent hood. Lemon is great at cutting through grease.

– Fresh lemon peel can be used to polish copper, brass and stainless steel. Wipe clean with a dry cloth. No streaks or spots!

– Place cleaned (white pith removed) lemon peels in the bottom of your trash can or fridge to neutralize odors.

– Throw a few lemon peels into a pan of simmering water to freshen the air in your home. Adding a sprig of rosemary, some orange peels or a few cloves makes for a nice scent as well

– Add a cleaned lemon peel to your container of brown sugar to keep it soft.

– Make lemon flavored olive oil! Place a few cleaned lemon peels into a clean container and cover with your favorite oil. Cover and place in a dark location for several weeks or until the flavor is just right. This oil can be used for cooking your favorite seafood dish or for gifting to a budding gourmet chef!

– Fresh lemon peel can be used to whiten fingernails and fade age spots. Rub the area with the freshly squeezed peel and leave on for several minutes. Use caution when going out in the sun as this may cause increased sensitivity in some individuals.

– Mix fresh lemon zest into your butter for a unique flavor experience!

What can dried lemon peel be used for?

The dried strips can be chopped and added to salt and pepper to make a personal seasoning blend for fish and meat. I use 2 tbsp of chopped lemon peel (or zest), 1 tbsp whole peppercorns, 1 tsp sea salt and grind to a desired consistency in a spice grinder. Get creative…play around with making your own seasoning blend. Or, try any of these other suggestions:

– Drop a dried lemon strip or two into a cup of your favorite herb tea.

– Toss a few strips down the garbage disposal to clean and deodorize.

– Add a few strips to a kettle of water and heat to boiling. Let cool and rinse the kettle with clean water. No more water deposits!

– Place a few peels around the base of your house plants to deter pets. It’s totally safe!

– Use them as fire starters!

– Grind the dried peels into a powder which can be used in cooking and baking. Adding a pinch of lemon powder to pudding, cookies and cakes really amps up the flavor. Here’s the breakdown for measuring:

– One large lemon produces about 3 tbsp of juice

– 1 tbsp of fresh zest = 1 tsp of dried zest

– 1 tbsp of fresh zest = 1 scant tsp of lemon powder

The flavor of lemon powder can really pack a punch so use it sparingly. A little goes a long way.

Are there any side effects?

Yes, but they’re mainly from the juice and not necessarily the peel. Some people experience increased sensitivity to the sun, stomach ulcers, tooth sensitivity and erosion of the enamel and gums. This usually occurs in people who use the lemon juice as a cure for bad breath or to whiten teeth. I found several articles that suggest rinsing with clean water after using lemon juice for oral hygiene. I also found articles that indicate it may increase the formation of gallstones in people who already have them.

Can lemon peels be used in the garden?

You betcha! As mentioned above, you can place lemon peels around the base of your plants to deter animals. Most critters don’t like the lemon smell. But you can also make a spray that can deter smaller pests. Simply boil a bunch of lemon peels in water, strain the liquid into a spray bottle and add a few drops of dish soap. Spray around the base of plants. I found nothing that said it shouldn’t be sprayed directly on the plant. However, I would spray lightly until I know how it will affect the plant.

Can lemon peel be used in personal care products?

Absolutely! Lemon peels contain alpha hydroxy which is the main ingredient in products designed to fade age spots and reduce wrinkles! Here are a few suggestions for using powdered lemon peel for personal care:

– Mix a paste of lemon powder and water. Apply to face or desired area and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse well and apply a moisturizer. And remember to use sunscreen if you spend a lot of time outside!

– The above mixture can also be used to lighten dark, scaly knees and elbows or armpits. Apply as you would a body scrub and leave on for a few minutes. Rinse well and use a moisturizer afterwards.

– Speaking of scrubs…why spend money on commercial scrubs when you can make your own for free! It’s really simple and they make excellent gifts! Body and face scrubs may seem like a luxury but they’re really not. If you’ve ever used a face or body scrub, you know how wonderful it makes your skin look and feel! Plus, they work much better at removing dead skin cells than a washcloth or bath sponge.

Try this simple scrub recipe:

–  For a lemon-scented body scrub, combine 1/2 c. sugar with 1 tsp lemon powder and just enough olive oil to hold together. Store the unused portion in a clean jar and use within a few weeks. To make a gentle face scrub, use the same combo as above but replace the olive oil with almond oil. To use: wet the body/face and apply the scrub gently, using a circular motion. Rinse well, pat dry and apply a moisturizer afterwards. Enjoy your fresh, smooth skin! Store and use both scrubs in the same way.

–  Get creative and use orange peel or even grapefruit peel in place of the lemon peel.

Final thoughts…

As you can see, lemons (and lemon peels) have tons of uses that go beyond your daily lemon water. Granted, drinking lemon water daily has shown to maintain the body’s pH as well as prevent certain bone conditions like arthritis. But when you consider that the lemon peel itself has ten times the vitamins that the juice has, well, finding new ways to use it should be a top priority.

If you have a favorite use for lemons or lemon peel, I’d love to hear about it. Just leave a comment below. And remember…sharing is caring. So feel free share this post with someone you know who might find it useful.

Until next time,

lisa

 

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