Peels from any member of the Sweet Orange family have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine at least since the writing of the Divine Husbandman’s Classic of the Materia Medica, written in the second century BC.
Contents
Uses
Peels from any member of the Sweet Orange family have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine at least since the writing of the Divine Husbandman’s Classic of the Materia Medica, written in the second century BC. The little known fact is that there are substantially more enzymes, flavonoids, and phyto-nutrients in the peel of the Orange rather than the fruit. The peel is where all the essential components accumulate and they may be found in three main sections of the peel; the flavedo, albedo, and oil sacs.
Benefits
Like most fruits, oranges are full of nutrients and enzymes that help our bodies perform better. Orange peels are rich in flavonones, powerful antioxidants that help reduce oxidative damage and fight free radicals. Orange peel is also loaded with natural histamine suppressing compounds. If you have allergies or are close to someone who does, you understand how the sleepiness associated with some antihistamines can be just as disruptive as the histamine reaction itself.
Orange peel may provide an alternative. Perhaps one of the most amazing and beneficial qualities of orange peel is its histamine and irritation reducing action, which adds to its already long list of reasons for being highly effective as a lung cleansing herb.
Although the high concentration of histamine reducing compounds in orange rind are effective at providing support for problematic respiratory indications, its benefits extend further. Orange peel provides effective support against respiratory distress. It has a lung cleansing effect by breaking down and helping expel congestion.
Eating orange peels also provides tremendous benefit. It’s not just the fruit that’s loaded with vitamin C, the rind is too, as well as vitamin A, enzymes, fiber, and pectin. Vitamin C is a fantastic immune system booster that can help fight the symptoms of cold and flu. The taste is somewhat bitter when eaten by itself but many people get used to it, or simply add it to other recipes. In pureed form, orange peel is easy to add to a smoothie or as an extra ingredient in fruit and nut bars. Mixing it with other ingredients can make the taste more palatable.
Dehydrated orange peel powder can even be added to a bath for an aroma therapeutic effect to cleanse the lungs of congestion or other respiratory irritation.
Cautions
Specific: No known precautions.
General: We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
Interactions
None are recorded.
Other names
n/a
Reference
Source: MountainRoseHerbs, https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/peel/profile
Globalhealingcenter, http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/lung-cleansing-benefits-orange-peel/