Effective remedies from lemon peel
Lemon peels are often discarded, but when combined correctly with other mild medicinal herbs, they can help treat coughs, relieve toothaches and headaches, and support the treatment of arthritis.
According to Dr. Huynh Tan Vu, MD, PhD, from the University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City - Branch 3, lemons are a common citrus fruit, with the juice and pulp being the most widely used parts. However, the lemon peel - the part often discarded - contains high levels of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, which can support oral health, immunity, and cardiovascular health, and even have potential anti-cancer properties.
Lemon peel, when combined with other mild medicinal herbs, can become effective folk remedies.
In treating coughs, lemon peel and roots can be used in combination with mulberry bark and roots, cypress leaves, roasted until golden brown, then boiled to make a decoction for drinking. Another method is to use lemon peel along with yellow-flowered sorrel leaves, chives, Polygonum leaves, bitter gourd seeds, and alum, boiled to make a decoction for drinking, adding a little sugar to make it easier to drink.
For toothaches and cavities, you can use fresh lemon peel, the bark of the *Lagerstroemia* tree, the roots of the *Solanum* plant, and the bark of the *Terminalia* tree, boiled into a concentrated decoction and held in your mouth for about 5-10 minutes. This mixture helps soothe the pain and disinfect the affected area of the tooth.
For colds and headaches, you can steam inhalation using a mixture of lemon peel and leaves, bamboo leaves, pomelo leaves, basil, chrysanthemum, mint, garlic, and lemongrass. When the mixture boils and releases its aroma, steam your whole body to induce sweating, which helps relieve cold symptoms.
For arthritis, there are several ways to use lemon peel. One is to soak lemon peel with eucalyptus leaves and olive oil for two weeks, then soak a clean cloth in the mixture and apply it to the painful joint overnight. Another is to boil lemon peel and drink the resulting liquid, adding honey to reduce the bitterness. A third is to thinly grate lemon peel and apply it directly to the inflamed joint, securing it with a bandage for several hours to reduce pain.
Despite its many uses, lemon peel should not be overused. According to experts, lemon peel contains a lot of oxalates, which, when ingested, transform into crystals that hinder calcium absorption and can easily lead to kidney stones. Therefore, users should consult a doctor to determine the appropriate dosage for their health condition and avoid unwanted side effects.
