9 Surprising Uses Of Lemon Zest
When we make lemonade or use lemon juice in some recipes, we immediately get rid of the zest. This habit will be a thing of the past once you read this article.
Below we talk about the different uses and applications of the zest of this beneficial citrus fruit. You won’t want to throw it in the trash anymore.
Lemon zest, our ally on a par with the pulp
You have certainly read about the numerous properties possessed by lemon juice (rich in vitamins and minerals, disinfectant, lightening, stain remover, deodorant, etc).
However, you probably don’t know that its green or yellow rind has dozens of applications in everyday life.
You will be interested in what it can do for you. We tell you below:
Reduces cholesterol
Using lemon zest means benefiting from the large amount of antioxidants it contains.
It also has flavonoids that balance the levels of triglycerides and fats in the blood and naturally cleanse the body.
Ingredients
- The zest of one lemon
- ½ glass of water (100 ml)
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (10 ml)
Preparation
- To enjoy this property of the lemon peel, grate it and add it to a little water.
- Afterwards, add a tablespoon of lemon juice and drink immediately.
- Repeat every morning for a week.
Prevents osteoporosis
We all know that lemon has a lot of vitamin C, but that’s not its only nutrient. It also provides large doses of calcium which has been shown to be vital for bone health and strength.
Ingesting lemon zest helps prevent not only osteoporosis but also rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory polyarthritis.
Improve the appearance of the hands
In case you have spots on your skin due to age or sun exposure, you can rub the inside of the lemon peel (the white side) to restore its natural tone.
We advise you to do the same with your nails, to whiten them and give them a magnificent appearance.
Softens and relaxes the feet
When you return tired after a day of work or without stopping for a moment, it is good to make a relaxing and, at the same time, softening foot bath.
Ingredients
- The zest of 1 lemon
- ½ cup of water (125 ml)
- ¼ cup of milk (62 ml)
- 2 tablespoons of olive or almond oil (32 g)
- 3 drops of lemon essential oil
Preparation
- Boil the lemon peel in water for a few minutes.
- Strain and mix with milk, oil and essence.
- Once it has reached a bearable temperature, soak your feet in this preparation for 20 minutes.
- Dry without rubbing.
Exfoliates and improves the appearance of the skin
If, for example, you have very dry elbows or heels, we advise you to rub them with the zest of a lemon before going to sleep. You can also use the zest of this citrus fruit as a natural exfoliant.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of sugar (100 g)
- The zest of one lemon
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil (48 g)
Preparation
- Grate the zest and mix with the sugar and olive oil.
- Apply it to the affected areas with gentle circular movements.
- Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse with warm or hot water.
Reduces oxidative stress
Thanks to the flavonoids contained in it, lemon peel can counteract the known stress, but also the toxic and carcinogenic elements that can accumulate in the body.
We advise you to add it grated to sweets, infusions or smoothies to receive these benefits.
Several studies have shown that taking lemon in general and the zest in particular helps prevent different types of cancer (including colon and breast cancer).
Do not forget that this citrus is very alkalizing and that cancer develops especially when the body is too acidic.
Use lemon zest at home
In addition to applications for our health and beauty, lemon peel can become a great ally in cleaning the house. Among the most important uses we remember:
Disinfect the kitchen
Especially the hob and utensils in contact with raw food. Grated lemon disinfects knives, wooden cutting boards and even curtains and furniture.
It is also used to clean the microwave and other appliances.
You just have to prepare a disinfectant liquid.
Ingredients
- The zest of one lemon
- ½ liter of water
Preparation
- Grate the zest and boil the water.
- Mix both ingredients, pour them into a spray container and spray on the surface you want to clean.
Flavor your home with a lemon peel-based scent
In order for your home to always smell good, you can use lemon.
Ingredients
- ½ liter of water
- The zest of 2 lemons
- 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence (5 ml)
Preparation
- Boil the water together with the grated zest, the rosemary and the essence.
- When it comes to a boil, let it cook for 10 minutes and then remove from the heat.
- Once cold, pour into a glass container and leave it uncapped so that it disperses into the environment and perfumes it.
If you want to reduce the smell of the bin, you can put some lemon zest on the bottom of the container.
Remove the insects with the lemon zest
Depending on the time of year, plagues are the order of the day. During the summer, for example, there are mosquitoes and flies; in spring, ants and moths.
To remove all insects and live more peacefully, you can directly use the grated lemon zest in a container to be placed near the doors or windows, or in a satin bag.
Another option is to prepare the spray with water and zest and spray it on the curtains or sheets.
