Orange Peels - What are they good for?

Did you know taking orange peel orally can help improve your overall health?

As delicious and nutritious as oranges are, you’d have to wonder, what about the peels? What are orange peels good for? Are there any nutrients and if so, how can you benefit from them?
 
Here are just a few surprising health benefits of orange peelings:
 
  • Lowers high blood pressure and cholesterol – the white pulp and a pith found in an orange’s skin are full of hesperidin, an antioxidant.
  • Anti-allergenic – orange peel can prevent the release of histamine, the cause of allergic reactions.
  • Anti-inflammatory – orange peel has been said to significantly reduce inflammation.
  • Oral health – The citrus in the peel  of an orange can act as a natural breath freshener.
  • Immune system boost – The high vitamin C & A, and flavonoid content of an orange peel can result in reduced effects of the common cold.  It is recommended to take 1 – 2 grams of orange extract (I prefer powder) per day to reduce symptoms, or possibly help to prevent colds when taken as a daily supplement.
  • Anti-carcinogenic – Due to the broad range of pharmacological properties, and citrus flavonoids studies indicate that there are protective effects of polymethoxflavones (PMFs) against the reoccurence of cancer by inhibiting carcinogenesis.
  • Respiratory protection – orange peels have beta-cryptoxanthin which is proven to lower your chances for lung cancer.
  • Improved Digestive System – orange peels contain lots of fiber and non-soluble polysaccharides which help move food through your intestines better.
  • Weight loss – Low in calories, filled with fiber.
 
orange peel powder

But Can You Actually Eat Orange Peels?

You could, but I wouldn’t recommend it since they’re a.) bitter and  b.) hard to digest and may cause stomach upset.

So, how can you get all the benefits?

Grind them up into a powder! Here’s how…

Prepare

Wash the skin before dehydrating, or do a vinegar soak to remove pesticide residue.

Texture

The texture of the powder will depend on several factors:

  1. Strength of the motor (blender, grinder, food processor)
  2. Speed
  3. Blades
  4. Time (how long you grind)

Grinding

Handheld grinders are very cheap and work well on most dry herbs. Compared to the more powerful grinders handheld grinding takes a little more work.

When I use my handheld grinder sometimes dry chunks end up in my powder. To avoid that, while grinding the herbs, I shake the grinder up and down to force the large chunks into the blades. Doing so also helps if the big chunks jam the blades.

THE STEPS I TAKE TO MAKE ORANGE POWDER

  1. Cut the peel into small chunks.
  2. Place them into the dehydrator tray and dry them.
  3. After drying, I put them into a handheld coffee grinder.
  4. Either put the powder into a capsule and take with water, or…
  5. Mix the powder in a smoothie with other fruit and veggies