Grapefruit peel: use at home, benefits and harms, recipes

Grapefruit peel is no less useful than the pulp of the fruit. After all, it contains a large number of valuable components for human health. Therefore, the peel can be used for medicinal purposes, everyday life, and cosmetology. However, only its correct use gives a positive result.

Grapefruit peel helps strengthen the immune system and fight colds

Can you eat grapefruit peel?

According to experts, this product not only can, but also should be consumed, as it can improve the functioning of many internal organs and systems. For this reason, it should not be thrown away after peeling the fruit, but should be prepared before eating. After all, only the top thin layer of the peel - the zest - has beneficial properties, without the white part, which gives bitterness. To remove it, you need to use a vegetable peeler, thin knife or grater.

Grapefruit peel has a rich chemical composition. It contains pectins, essential oils, a complex of vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and phytoncides. This product is low in calories; grapefruit peel can be used to combat extra pounds. The zest includes a minimal amount of fat and protein, and carbohydrates of about 6.5%.

Important! 100 g of fresh grapefruit peel contains no more than 29.5 kcal.

Benefits of grapefruit peel

This product is valued primarily for its medicinal properties. Grapefruit peel has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiseptic effects. It helps eliminate toxins, helps relieve nervous tension, and fight chronic fatigue.

The product also has a beneficial effect on the digestive system. The zest helps with nausea, vomiting, and blood pressure. It also reduces discomfort caused by an incorrectly chosen diet, excessive alcohol consumption, and overeating. The product reduces the level of sugar and bad cholesterol in the blood, increases the body's resistance to viruses and infections, strengthens capillaries, the nervous system, improves overall well-being and iron absorption.

The beneficial properties of grapefruit peel are widely used in cosmetology. The use of the zest helps improve the condition of the skin, hair, and fight cellulite.

Important! The phytoncides contained in the product have an inhibitory effect on pathogenic microflora.

How to cook and eat

The benefits of grapefruit skins come in fresh form, tea, salad, and you can also use it to prepare an alcoholic tincture or decoction.But in order for the product to retain the maximum amount of vitamins and minerals, it is necessary to know and follow the basic stages of preparing drinks and dishes.

Tea

To prepare aromatic healing tea, you can use both fresh and dried citrus zest. This drink helps speed up metabolic processes and improves the functioning of the digestive system due to the high content of plant flavonoid - naringenin.

To prepare the drink, add the zest from half a grapefruit into cold water. After boiling, simmer for two minutes over low heat. Add some crushed ginger root, steep for ten minutes, and then strain the tea. After the drink has cooled to a temperature of 30 °C, add honey to taste.

Tea made from grapefruit peel is not only tasty, but also aromatic.

Salad

It is possible to use grapefruit skins as part of a salad. To do this, you need to first grind them and put them in the refrigerator overnight to improve their taste.

To prepare the dish, you will need to chop the tomato and cucumber, add half a bunch of lettuce and chopped three sprigs of parsley. Salt the vegetables and herbs, season with yogurt and sprinkle generously with zest.

A salad with the addition of grapefruit peel helps give you vigor and a good mood for the whole day.

Alcohol tincture

This method of using grapefruit peels allows them to be used for medicinal purposes for a long time. You can use 40% alcohol or vodka as a base for the tincture.

Cooking process:

Cut the zest into strips and place in a glass container.
Pour it with alcohol or vodka in a ratio of 1:3.
Seal the bottle.
Infuse the drink for two weeks in a dark place at room temperature.
Shake it daily.
After time, strain.

Important! The shelf life of the fortified drink is three years.

If all recommendations are followed, the strength of the tincture is 34-36 degrees

Decoction

For treatment, it is possible to use grapefruit peels and in the form of a decoction. The drink helps cleanse blood vessels and also removes toxins and excess fluid from the body.

To prepare a healthy decoction, you need to pour the peel of one grapefruit into an enamel container and fill it with 1.5 liters of water. Cook the mixture for a quarter of an hour after boiling over low heat. After the time has passed, allow the broth to cool and then strain.

The shelf life of the decoction when stored in the refrigerator is three days.

Using grapefruit peels for weight loss

Grapefruit zest is also beneficial for people who are overweight. In this case, it is enough to drink tea or a decoction based on them half an hour before meals. This allows you to dull the feeling of hunger and speed up your metabolism.

Use of grapefruit peel in folk medicine

The benefits of grapefruit skins for the treatment of many diseases have been proven, so the product is widely used in folk medicine. However, it is worth understanding that the use of the zest does not cancel the main therapy, but only complements it. It can also be used for preventive purposes.

Important! A mixture of crushed grapefruit peels, ginger, honey, chocolate and wine increases libido.

For migraine

To treat migraines, you need to take a decoction of the zest, 100 ml, 20 minutes before meals. You should also additionally use medicinal baths. To do this, you need to grind the peels of three fruits, pour 1 liter of boiling water over them and leave for two hours. After time, strain the infusion and add it to a warm bath.Take it 20 minutes before going to bed at night.

For diabetes

Grapefruit zest is also recommended for lowering blood sugar. In this case, it is necessary to take the infusion for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. To prepare it, you need 1 tbsp. l. finely chopped zest, pour 250 ml of boiling water, leave for half an hour. After cooling, strain the drink. Take 30-50 ml 15 minutes before meals daily.

For heartburn

To treat heartburn, it is recommended to use dried grapefruit zest. It needs to be ground in a coffee grinder to a powder consistency and stored in an airtight glass container. In case of an attack of heartburn, place a pinch of the product under the tongue and slowly dissolve.

From fungus

This product helps to effectively fight fungi. In case of development of candidiasis or stomatitis, take an alcohol tincture based on grapefruit peels, 1 tsp. twice a day before meals or apply lotions to inflamed areas.

If fungus appears on the nails or skin, it is recommended to apply bandages soaked in the tincture overnight.

For toothache

The product also helps relieve toothache. To do this, chew fresh grapefruit zest. And in case of inflammation of the gums, rinse with a decoction based on it several times a day until the unpleasant symptoms completely disappear.

To improve vision

The increased content of vitamin A in grapefruit zest can improve the functioning of the visual organs. To do this, it is enough to drink 200 ml of decoction once a day. It is recommended to do this in the morning on an empty stomach.

How to use grapefruit peels in cosmetology

The beneficial properties of grapefruit zest help solve skin and hair problems and even fight cellulite.But the effectiveness of use directly depends on the regularity of procedures using this product.

For skin

Grapefruit zest helps normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands, accelerate wound healing, smooth out facial wrinkles, and increase the elasticity of the epidermis.

Directions for use:

Mix yolk, 1 tsp. honey, a pinch of zest powder. Apply the mixture evenly to the face, avoiding the area around the eyes and mouth. Lie down for 15 minutes and relax. After the time has passed, wash off the mask with warm water.
Place dried grapefruit zest in a ceramic container and add cold boiled water. Leave for a day and then strain. Wipe your face with the resulting eau de toilette morning and evening.
Mix the zest powder with sour milk until you obtain a pasty consistency. Apply the mixture to your face and neck, relax and leave for 15 minutes. After the time has passed, wash off the product.

You can use peel-based masks twice a week.

For hair

Grapefruit peel also helps strengthen hair roots and improve hair growth. To do this, you need to pour the zest from one fruit into 1 liter of boiling water and leave for an hour. After time, strain the infusion and add two drops of tea tree essential oil. Use it to rub into the scalp and rinse your hair after each wash.

For cellulite

To get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of cellulite, you need to massage problem areas after a shower. In this case, it is important to use a product from 1 tbsp. l. olive oil and 1 tsp. grapefruit zest powder.

Use of grapefruit zest in everyday life

This product can also be used usefully at home. In the autumn-winter period, it is recommended to place fresh grapefruit peels on warm radiators.This allows you to clean the room from viruses and infections.

The use of crusts is also effective for cleaning faucets from alkaline deposits and adding shine to ceramic and metal surfaces. To do this, you need to wipe them with the white layer, which is located under the zest.

Important! The peels of this citrus fruit help repel mosquitoes and promote healthy sleep when placed in the bedroom.

Drying and storage

In order for grapefruit peel to be beneficial, it must be dried properly. In this case, it will be possible to have this valuable product on hand at any time of the year.

To do this, you must first thoroughly wash the citrus peel, and then separate the zest from the white layer. Spread it on paper in one layer and place it in a well-ventilated area, excluding exposure to sunlight. Dry the zest at a temperature of +18-25 °C for 5-7 minutes. The readiness of the product can be determined by its fragility with little physical effort.

Store dried peels in an airtight glass container or in a linen or paper bag. Optimal conditions: temperature +10-25 °C and humidity about 60-70%. The shelf life of the product is two years.

During storage, sudden temperature changes are unacceptable

Harm of grapefruit peels and contraindications

Grapefruit peel can not only be beneficial, but also harmful to health. Therefore, before using it, you need to familiarize yourself with the contraindications in advance.

Among them:

individual intolerance;
colitis;
ulcer;
enteritis;
intestinal inflammation;
acute phase of pyelonephritis;
hepatitis;
cholecystitis;
hyperacid gastritis.

You cannot combine zest-based folk remedies with painkillers and antidepressants.

Conclusion

Grapefruit peel is a unique healthy product that is often thrown away out of ignorance. But it can solve many health problems. However, like all medicinal herbal remedies, it must be used in doses, and contraindications must be taken into account in order to eliminate possible harm.